The Quincy Public Schools Foundation began in 1989 as the Quincy Foundation for Quality Education (QFQE) to aid in the funding of academic program enrichment, quality enhancement, and extended learning opportunities in the Quincy Public Schools.
1988 – The Quincy Foundation for Quality Education (QFQE) was created in the fall by a volunteer Board of Trustees as a result of the recognition of the importance of public education.
1989 – The first QFQE bylaws were adopted. Fundraising and distribution began.
1990 – Teacher Grants were implemented.
1993 – The Child/Family Mentor Program was created through a teacher grant. The Child/Family Mentor Program actively involves more than 200 mentors assisting children in the Quincy Public Schools on a yearly basis. This program matches positive, caring adult volunteers with students in a one-on-one supportive relationship. The program has earned the Governor’s Home Town Award, the Tutor/Mentor Connection Award for the State of Illinois and the Presidential Daily Points of Light Award. We partner with the Quincy Public Schools to support this program.
1996 – The QFQE Scholarship Program was initiated. The Foundation awards four scholarships annually to QHS graduates.
2001 – The Science for Life Initiative was successfully implemented an inquiry based science curriculum in the Quincy Public Schools. Since the project’s conception, the Foundation has maintained its commitment to assist the District by providing additional funding necessary for teacher training and the acquisition of quality materials for all pre-K-12 classrooms. The final phase of Science for Life was completed in 2007.
2003 – The first Circles of Investment were initiated and celebrated. Circles of Investment are a unique way to honor an individual, group, or company while adding support to students and education in Quincy. This investment will touch the lives of children in our community for generations to come. To create a new Circle, the minimum investment is $10,000 and to create a new Bench, the minimum investment is $50,000. Gifts of any amount may be added to a Circle or Bench at any time. The Foundation now has 35 Circles and one Bench.
2005 – The Kirk Family Circle of Investment Garden was dedicated.
2005 – QPS Literacy Initiative. The Foundation sent five QPS teachers to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock training with Dr. Linda Dorn to become trained Literacy Coaches.
2007 – A new electronic sign was erected in front of QHS in memory of the late principal Paul Koscielski. The QHS Alumni Association raised a significant portion of funding for this project.
2008 – QFQE underwent a feasibility study to analyze the possibility of a major gifts campaign. One of the major changes coming out of the study was to change the organization’s name to better reflect our mission. We are now the Quincy Public Schools Foundation.
2010 – The quiet phase of the DREAM BIG campaign began. DREAM BIG is a $4M dollar major gifts campaign with targeted initiatives in the areas of Curriculum, Technology, Fine Arts, Athletics, and Endowment.
2011 – The public phase of the DREAM BIG campaign was launched and the effort still continues. Reading Recovery was reinstated in all QPS elementary schools and Flinn Memorial Stadium received a new FieldTurf artificial surface.
2012 – The QJHS band room was renovated and renamed for Dr. John Lynn Lubker, QHS ’47.
2013 – The entire QPS District went wireless! Over the next year, the Foundation placed more than 500 wireless devices in our schools.
2014 – The Quincy community overwhelming supported a building referendum by a 2:1 margin. Quincy Public Schools will begin construction in June, 2015 on the first of five new elementary schools and an addition to QHS that will allow 9th-graders to attend high school with their peers.
2018 – Eligibility for Teacher Grants was officially opened to non-certified QPS staff and the program renamed as QPS Staff Grants. A new grant category for certified teaching staff was launched called the Dream Big Grant with a maximum award of $25,000.
2018 – The Annual Campaign of the Foundation was officially named the Dream Big Annual Campaign. For the first time, a goal was set of $150,000. Kathi Dooley was honored with our Dream Big Award at our A Night to Dream Big Gala, and Campaign Chairs, Reaugh and Ned Broemmel assisted in exceeding our goal, reaching $212,750 by the end of the campaign.