Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools
We are a nonprofit committed to providing resources for all students of the Dubuque Community School District.
The Dubuque Community School District started a Foundation (DCSDF) as a means of developing alternative forms of funding for education in our community. The organization was founded in 1991 under the direction of Dr. Howard Pigg and the Board of Education. In 2013, the name of the Foundation was changed to the Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools (FDPS), and they became their own entity with an executive director and board of directors.
In 2013 the FDPS joined forces with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD) as a partnership entity.
Since 2013 the FDPS has helped fund numerous educational activities, field trips and teacher grants totaling $2.1 million given.
Chelsea Cox grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, attended Dubuque public schools, worked as an educator and most recently as a school counselor in the Dubuque Community School District for close to 20 years. Chelsea has been the Executive Director for the Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools (FDPS) since 2023 and has been in awe of the support from the community, especially from FDPS board members who volunteer their time each month to grow and strengthen this foundation. Chelsea is not only an alum of DCSD but she is also a parent of three students! “Working with this generous community, especially our individual partners who want to ensure our students know they have a village behind them, is the best part of this role!”, said Chelsea. While student success and engagement continue to be her top focus, she knows that community support is the best way to make sure all students have access to enriching, engaging opportunities.