Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools

FDPS supports school programs and projects that reach beyond the annual district budget. Since 2014, we have worked with donors and grant makers to invest more than $1,800,000 in projects and funds supporting students and teachers. Examples of recent support include the creation of a Food Pantry and Open Closet in the Dubuque Community School District, Brain Health Retreat Rooms in secondary schools, field trips for entire grade levels, Student Support Foundations at the high schools, new band and orchestra instruments, library books, paying negative school lunch balances for students in the district, guest speakers, technology updates, LEAP after-school programs, scholarships for students and staff, and classroom grants for teachers.

Last year, Great Give Day donations impacted field trips for entire grade levels. Educators know that allowing students to practice their learning in an outside the classroom experience is a wonderful way for them to make a connection with the real world and the classroom. The FDPS was able to fund educational learning experiences at venues around the Dubuque Community such as UD Heritage Center, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Mines of Spain, Four Mounds, American Players Theatre, and Swiss Valley to name a few.

Testimonials

Donor Spotlight: Ann McDonough "Why I Give"

Ann McDonough is the president of the McDonough Foundation, based in Dubuque, and the 2019 recipient of the FDPS Distinguished Hometown Award. She is one of twelve children in her family to have graduated from Hempstead High School. Ann also holds degrees from Clarke University and the University of Iowa College of Law. She and her husband Peter Healey continue to call Dubuque "home", as owners/operators of Plane Art Designs (the t-shirt place) and Ann serves as one of the elected Dubuque County Supervisors.

The McDonough Foundation has recently supported several school projects through FDPS, including practice room literacy books in the elementary schools to supplement the Social Studies curriculum, basic essential needs and contributions to the "Open Closets" in the secondary buildings, keyboards at Hempstead, classroom technology training for educators, new pottery wheels and supplies for the Alternative Learning Center - Alta Vista Campus, High School Robotics Team material, iPads for the classrooms, Hempstead Women's Empowerment Conference, yoga in the classroom, wrap around care funding to name a few.

"As president of the McDonough Foundation, mentor at Prescott Elementary, and volunteer reader at Lincoln Elementary, I'm proud of the gifts we've made to the schools through FDPS. It seems to me that the task of educating students, and supporting the crucial role that teachers play, is often underappreciated by the general public. Our schools are called to do so much more for children and families than what was asked when I was a student, and state funding often falls short of meeting those needs. Our communities are stronger when our public school system thrives." - Ann McDonough