Kinds: Named Funds
Ed and Patricia Alt DCSD STEM Staff Development Fund
This fund supports teacher leaders in the Dubuque Community School District by providing funding for a conference focused on STEM education. Through an application process, educators can apply for funding to use towards conference fees, travel, hotels, and transportation to allow for the opportunity to learn teaching strategies that can be then shared with other educators in the district. This fund is set up to encourage educators to be peer leaders with “teachers teaching teachers”! Past educators have attended National Science, Math, and Technology Conferences, as well as conferences that focus on student engagement, best practices around literacy instruction, and so much more.
Dubuque Community School District Scholarship Fund
Year Founded 2016
At A Glance
- Dubuque Senior, Hempstead, and ALC High Schools
- Non-endowed, short-term scholarships
- Memorial and family gifts
About Us
The Dubuque Community School District Scholarship Fund was created to support philanthropy in the schools by assisting donors in establishing post-secondary scholarships for graduating high school students.
The Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools (FDPS) provides administration for this non-endowed fund by facilitating pass-through and/or short-term scholarship donations.
FDPS Grants and Gifts Fund
FDPS Gifts and Grants funds go towards projects and programs that are not funded by general tax dollars. Some of these dollars go towards Building Grants, school principals apply for, while some go towards areas of interest for each of our partners/donors. Your gifts have funded new technology in the classroom, classroom sets of headphones to use for testing, literacy, and to create a quiet environment that may be needed, your gifts have made schools safer with the purchase of building-wide walkie-talkie’s, your gifts have motivated students to improve their attendance through individual attendance calendars, stickers, and student incentives, and your gifts have even helped plan school family engagement nights. Every gift you give impacts students directly.
FDPS Open Closet Fund
The Open Closet Fund pays for food for the Dubuque Community Schools Food Pantry, personal hygiene items for the Care Closet, and clothing items, such as winter coats, boots, and pants. In the 2024 school year, there were over 2500 visits to this space, with the top needs being food and household cleaning supplies. In addition to being open for families, school staff will pack up items for individual families and/or classroom closets, to ensure accessibility to all. Your gift directly goes towards the purchase of items, most in need. Also, thanks to partnerships with As They Grow, The Discover Shop, Shoe Shack, and many more individuals in the community, many items come to us gently used and ready for students and their families!
Daniel J. Miller Scholarship
At A Glance
- In Memory of Daniel J. Miller
- Supports a Hempstead High School Art Student in Dubuque, IA
- Permanently Endowed Fund
About Us
Daniel J. Miller, a Hempstead High School Senior in 1992, was uncertain about his future. He didn’t think college was for him. The only thing he knew for sure was that he was an artist. He had a need to create. He felt the happiest when he was covered in paint, charcoal, clay or wood chips.
The Hempstead Art Teachers saw his potential and passion for art. They encouraged Dan to enter an art competition at The University of Northern Iowa. With only a few weeks to prepare, his art teachers spent hours after school helping Dan put together his portfolio.
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Not only did Dan put together an inspired portfolio but he won the competition and the accompanying 4-year full-ride scholarship to UNI! Winning that competition gave Dan the direction he needed.
He received a BA degree in art, and he completed a significant portion of his Masters of Fine Arts. Dan passed away unexpectedly during college. His loved ones take comfort in the fact that he was living out his true passion as an artist. Dan always lives on through his paintings, prints, and sculptures that fill the homes of his family and friends.
The Miller family set up the Daniel J Miller $1,500 scholarship to honor a student who has a passion for art and the courage to pursue that passion. The award also recognizes the contributions that the Hempstead art teachers had on Dan’s life.
Don & Jean Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Year Founded 2018
Don and Jean Johnson were the parents of three girls: Nancy, Donna, and Lisa. When Lisa was seven, her parents were killed in a mid-air plane collision. Lisa went on to become a teacher and taught special education for her entire career, thirty years of which were with the Dubuque Community School District.
The purpose of the Don and Jean Johnson Memorial Scholarship is to support graduating seniors from the Dubuque Community School District in Dubuque, IA, who will pursue post-secondary education. The winner of this scholarship will receive a one-time $500 honorarium to be deposited with the college or university of their choice after enrollment.
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The award may be used for continuing educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, room and board, and supplies directly related to the educational program in which the student is enrolled. The scholarship is not renewable.
To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be:
- Entitled for and received direct special education academic services (reading, writing, math), physical or occupational therapy, services for the deaf and hard of hearing, visual impairment, or other health impairment at some point in his/her educational career as documented by an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Students who received speech and language services only are not eligible.
- Attending a 4-year on-campus college or university (no online programs), or a 2-year program that furthers education in the recipient’s area of chosen interest.
- Preference for students who have financial need.
- Scholarships shall be given to a Dubuque Senior graduate on “even” years, and a Dubuque Hempstead graduate on “odd” years, until eligible disbursements become great enough to support graduates of both schools annually.
- GPA: Not specified
- Recipient Selection: A Scholarship Selection Committee shall be established by Dubuque Senior and Hempstead High Schools to review applications and render recommendations for distribution of awards. Students must apply through the Dubuque Senior and Hempstead guidance offices
Allison Cress Endowment for Art Education
Year Founded 2017
At A Glance
- In Memory of Allison Cress
- Supports Hempstead High School Art in Dubuque, IA
- Permanently Endowed Fund
About Us
The Allison Cress Endowment for Art Education empowers students in further developing their creativity and artistic skills by supporting the art education program at Hempstead High School.
Allison truly appreciated art; it was her lens into the world. Art brought together her interest in storytelling, history, sociology, and psychology. Her enduring commitment to art is reflected through the many notebooks, sketchbooks, paintings, and art pieces she created and exhibited.
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Mission
Beyond producing her own work, Allison took pride in seeing aspiring artists grow. She was, at heart, an educator who was always willing to share her skills and passion with fellow artists.
Her teacher, Ms. Sara Hilby, inspired Allison to reach for her utmost potential. She challenged Allison to not only be a great artist but also a great student. Ms. Hilbys name was mentioned weekly if not daily at our house—a name that prompted our joy. We dedicate this endowment to support art education in Allisons honor and to support wonderful art teachers like Ms. Hilby in fostering creativity and developing skills in aspiring artists. Best, Rafic and Holly.
Allison Cress left her mark on the world as a cherished family member, friend, and talented artist. She passed away from her battle with cancer two days after graduating from Hempstead High School. Throughout her battle, Allison remained positive and steal.
Success Story
Two thumbs up! Allison’s trademark gesture was always complemented by a warm smile. I would come to know this gesture all too well as I often returned the gesture in kind. The gesture established a bond that went beyond words. In essence, it expressed Allison’s care, excitement and enthusiasm. You could see these characteristics reflected in her relationships. She had many relationships… She was an artist, a friend, sister, cousin, daughter, granddaughter, niece, and an author. She cherished and maintained her relationships. You did not have to change to fit in. She welcomed everyone with Two Thumbs Up! Allison welcomed me into her life six years ago. Although I am not an artist, she helped me get started on my own masterpiece with her brush strokes of wisdom, care, ingenuity and love. This masterpiece, my life, will be a work in progress until I take my last breath. Allison’s love and spirit will be a primary focal point of that masterpiece. Allison’s passing is not the end… It is the beginning for Allison to have new friends, admirers, and beneficiaries in life; namely those who read her story and follow her ethics of perseverance, positivism and achievement. Allison’s legendary fight with Cancer ended with success as it never touched her spirit. Her spirit and life now reside in our hearts. Life is not merely a function of time. It is a function of appreciation and contentment, love and support, care, grace and faith. Allison’s time with us embraced those qualities. Her life continues on in all that we do. She left us with a beautiful approach to life One to embrace and celebrate with Two Thumbs Up! -Rafic Sinno
Arthur J. Miller Social Studies Scholarship
The purpose of the Arthur J. Miller Jr. Social Studies Scholarship is to honor an educator who spent forty years dedicating his life to helping students achieve a greater understanding of the social sciences and how they can use their own lives to impact society for the better. This award has been established to recognize a Hempstead twelfth-grade student who seeks to enter a post-secondary field that links to the social sciences or the humanities, and who will use that to help others.
Burgart Fund for Dubuque Public School Libraries
Year Founded 2009
At A Glance
- Supports Dubuque’s public school libraries
- $1000 awarded annually
- Endowed fund = Support forever
About Us
Established in honor of retired Superintendent John Burgart to enhance resources in our school libraries. The Burgart Fund for Dubuque Public School Libraries is an endowed fund that grants annual awards to purchase books and materials. Investment earnings from this fund will support literacy in Dubuque FOREVER.
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