Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools

07/30/2026

We are ready for you! Does your student in the Dubuque Community School District need a new bookbag? 🎒 We've got you covered! Come find us at the Back to School BASH this Saturday at Audubon Elementary School Dubuque Iowa, from 11:00am–1:00pm. We've partnered again with the Dubuque Education Association to make sure there's a bag for every student. Stop by our table, pick out your favorite color, and know it comes packed with support and encouragement from our donor community. 🍎

Want to make sure we have enough bookbags next year too? Your gift to the Open Closet fund purchases bags, shoes, personal hygiene supplies, snacks, and all of the little things that make getting to school easier: https://godonate.akoyago.com/DUBUQUECF/fund/b16943bc-f537-ec11-b6e6-000d3a5b4abf

07/21/2026

What you don't see in these pictures is the over 75 students participating in Pathways to Graduation, a summer learning program for high school students in the Dubuque Community School District. You also don't see the number of credits that have been earned so far, over 225! Thanks to a grant through United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States, we have been able to once again offer summer learning for high school students. This program gives students a chance to graduate on time with their class, make up credit, build relationships with their teachers, build stronger connections to learning and their school, and be reminded that they deserve the success that comes along with graduation. We are so incredibly proud of each student who has made the commitment to get back on track this summer!🍎

07/20/2026

We will be there again handing out backpacks because of our generous donors and community! 🎒 🍎 ❤️

It’s hard to believe we’re already getting ready for another school year!

Join us for our Annual Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, August 1, from 11 AM to 2 PM at Audubon Elementary.

It’s a great opportunity for students and families to get ready for the school year, and then with the community, and have some fun. We hope to see you there.
Resources Unite Multicultural Family Center United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States Dubuque Museum of Art Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque City of Dubuque Office of Human Rights Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools Dubuque Community School District St. Mark Youth Enrichment DAYLC Dubuque Area Youth Leadership Council Opening Doors Dubuque Dubuque Community Y Moms Connect Dubuque Dubuque County ISU Extension & Outreach Dubuque Unidos Dubuque Pacific Islander Health Project City of Dubuque Parks & Recreation City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Program

06/12/2026

Bryant Bulldogs DCSD staff, you showed up in jeans and in a big way! 👏 Thanks to your generosity, $390 is headed toward more projects for students across the Dubuque Community School District. You already give so much to your kids every day so thank you for giving to us too. We're so grateful! 🍎

06/11/2026

We had some special guests at our FDPS board meeting last night! Kobin and MJ shared the importance of having a way to continue learning and earning credits over the summer, as they get closer to earning their diplomas and graduating. Thank you to Amber and the AVC team for organizing another summer of learning opportunities for high school students and to the United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States for funding this impactful program! Our public schools are shaping our future leaders like Kobin and MJ and we are so proud of you both. 🍎

Amber Rowley, Kobin Jormeia, and MJ Jacklick attended the Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools Board Meeting with Chelsea Cox. Kobin and MJ shared impact statements highlighting the positive difference SSF and the AVC Summer Program have made for students.
Thank you to the United Way for helping to fund the Summer Program at the AVC.
Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools

05/20/2026

It's Great Give Day through the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. Your gift to any of our funds directly impacts students in the Dubuque Community School District. Consider us as you invest in your community today!

https://www.greatgiveday.org/organization/fdps

https://www.greatgiveday.org/organization/Dbq-Senior-Speech-And-Theater

https://www.greatgiveday.org/organization/Dubuque-Senior-High-School-Music-Boosters

https://www.greatgiveday.org/organization/Hempstead-Foundation-Fund

https://www.greatgiveday.org/organization/Falb-Kendall-Hunt-Musical-Instrument-Fund

05/14/2026

Every year, Teacher of the Year finalists remind us of something we should never take for granted: the incredible human beings showing up for our kids every single day in public schools across the country. 🍎

Last week, we were able to surprise Dubuque Community School District Teacher of the Year Finalists with a $100 mini Judi Chandlee Tribute to Teachers grant to celebrate their recognition with their students. 🎉

Being named a Teacher of the Year finalist means your colleagues, your school, and your community looked around and said: That one. That person is doing something special.

To every Teacher of the Year finalist, thank you. You didn't just teach subjects, you shaped futures. And the ripple effects of what you do will outlast any award, any headline, any school year. And we know that for every finalist whose name gets called, there are many more just like them, making students feel seen, believed in, and challenged, who continue to choose this work because they know the power of public education. ❤️

The Judi Chandlee Tribute to Teachers Grants are open for all educators to apply for classroom projects, materials, and ideas that stretch learning, create excitement, and support student success.

Apply TODAY: https://goapply2.akoyago.com/dubuque/application/judi-chandlee-2026

Want to help us give more teachers grants each year? Make a donation HERE: https://godonate.akoyago.com/DUBUQUECF/fund/589e79bb-f537-ec11-b6e6-000d3a5b4a07

05/08/2026

What an incredible night celebrating Dubuque Community School District educators! 🥳

Congratulations to all of the Teacher of the Year finalists, recipient, retirees, and staff who have been helping students fall in love with learning for 20 years or more. Thank you for making our community a better place.

Aulanda, you reminded us that everyone is capable of learning, growing, and meeting goals that would be unattainable without the power of a determined teacher. Thank you for the impact you have made on all of those who are lucky to work with you every day.🍎

05/07/2026

✨ More Teacher Grant Celebrations! ✨

As we continue to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week in the Dubuque Community School District, we’re proud to recognize more recipients of the Kim Becker Elementary Teacher Appreciation Grants! 🐝

These educators are using their grants to create engaging, supportive classroom environments, from strengthening literacy to providing tools that help students stay focused, organized, and ready to learn. 💛

From Lincoln Elementary School
👏 Sydney Cox – Class set of dictionaries
👏 Lisa Witt – 10-drawer organizer cart
👏 Jeleighsa Hamilton – Laminator and laminator pouches
👏 Maddie Hendricks – Student headphones
👏 Callison Lang – Student incentives

From John Marshall Elementary
👏 Elissa Meadows – Phonics magnetic tiles

From
👏 Jessica Weiland – Literacy kit for small groups

From Seedlings Preschool Center
👏 Erin Heims – Materials for sensory play

From Table Mound Elementary School
👏 Brittany Becker – Brain break materials

These grants help turn ideas into opportunities for students every single day, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the educators behind them. 🍎

To provide more teachers with grants next spring, donate today!
https://godonate.akoyago.com/DUBUQUECF/fund/8f6ef504-3b45-ef11-8409-000d3a307eea

04/23/2026

Our 17th annual Dine Out/Take Out dinner was at 7 Hills Brewing Company tonight! The food was delicious and the company was pretty great too. 😊 Thank you to everyone who has been supporting students and restaurants/businesses in Dubuque today.

Please keep sharing where you went with us! We need a week of DineOuts so we can get around to all of these generous participants. Knowing you are stopping in helps us spread our gratitude to everyone ! 🍎