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1,498 staff and board members or 85% gave a total of $101,074

 

GIPS Foundation Press Release

GIPS Foundation Celebrates 22nd Annual Staff Giving Campaign Results

The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation proudly announced the remarkable results of its 22nd Annual Staff Giving Campaign, their staff and board member fund drive, during a news conference held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12. The event took place at the prestigious Bill Marshall/Five Points Bank Champions Hall, within the iconic Memorial Stadium/Jack Martin Field, symbolizing over two decades of unwavering dedication and support from the GIPS staff.

With gratitude, the GIPS Foundation acknowledged the outstanding generosity of its staff, who presented 10,000 reasons, one for each student, to invest in student opportunities. A significant highlight of this year's campaign was the heartfelt gesture from Joel and Terry Wiegand. Joel and Terry Wiegand, deeply connected to Grand Island Public Schools for many years, are strong advocates for the GIPS Foundation. Joel, a CPA with a 49-year career in Grand Island, and Terry, a former GIPS teacher at Gates and Stolley Park Elementary (and a past Foundation grant recipient) are passionate about supporting the district. Their commitment is also rooted in gratitude for the outstanding education their two sons received through GIPS. The Wiegands have witnessed firsthand the Foundation's crucial role in providing scholarships, classroom grants, and recognizing GIPS staff. To further encourage support, Joel and Terry provided a $5,000 matching gift for all new or increased donations to the Foundation during this year’s campaign.

"We believe deeply in the GIPS Foundation's impact on students and educators," shared Joel and Terry. "It's our way of giving back to a community that has given us so much."

The 2025 campaign ran from April 1-25. The campaign witnessed remarkable engagement, with an 85% participation rate. Together, the staff and board members of Grand Island Public Schools and the GIPS Foundation raised an impressive $101,074.

The proceeds from the campaign will further enrich Foundation programs, including the Academic Aristocrat Scholarship and Teacher of the Year initiatives. Additionally, the funds will bolster Foundation operations, endowment efforts, and the Classroom Grant program. During the 2023-2024 school year alone, the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation invested an extraordinary $1,148,951 into various programs, scholarships, and grants benefiting students.

 

2025 Co-Chairs

Beth Schott, Knickrehm Elementary
Michelle Thorne, Wasmer Elementary
Gina Harpham, Barr Middle School
Jacqueline Proctor, Walnut Middle School
Jacob Morrow, Westridge Middle School
Matthew Kosch, Grand Island Senior High
Julie Markvicka, Grand Island Senior High

 

tshirt

T-shirt Challenge

All who pledged $84 or more received a free t-shirt. This year 505 staff members earned a t-shirt!


Campaign Celebration Photos

Campaign Celebration
Wiegand

Wiegand Challenge

$5,000 Matching Gift

The Joel & Terry Wiegand $5,000 Challenge Gift was used to encourage staff to give new or increased gifts to the campaign. 40% of staff donors qualified for this matching opportunity. This was a total of 583 new or increased gifts received and just the new or increased amount represented a total of $47,173.42.

Thank you Joel & Terry Wiegand for being a key part of the success of the campaign and for believing and investing in our students! 

 

Campaign Contest Winners

Barr

Wiegand Challenge

Barr Custodial

Highest percentage of gifts qualifying as "new or increased" and meeting the Wiegand Challenge – includes a traveling trophy and a building prize (something fun or tangible to be worked out with their team leaders)... Barr Custodial led by Trudy Smith. Barr Custodial reached 100% participation! Raised $351 from 6 staff donors. 100% of the team's gifts qualified for the challenge.

Walnut

T-shirt Challenge

Walnut Team 1

Highest percentage of gifts qualifying for the T-shirt Challenge - per contest rules this award is something tangible for the team that wins. Congratulations Walnut Team 1 led by Erin Brooks. Walnut Team 1 gave at a rate of 200% with 77% of their gifts at the $84 or more level! They gave a total of $1,458.80 from 13 staff donors and 13 extra donors.

100% Team Giving

The following teams achieved 100% or more giving:

  • SE
  • Dodge Elementary
  • Howard Elementary
  • Lincoln Elementary
  • Newell Elementary
  • Shoemaker Elementary
  • Starr Elementary
  • Wasmer Elementary
  • West Lawn Elementary
  • Barr Custodial
  • Barr Sixers
  • Walnut Team 1
  • Walnut Team 2
  • Walnut Team 4
  • Walnut Team 5
  • Walnut Team 6
  • Westridge Sixth & Skills
  • Westridge Office & Food Service
  • Westridge Explore & Paras
  • Westridge Eights & Media
  • Senior 4 English & Social Studies
  • Senior 5 GISH SE
  • Senior 6 Global
  • Senior 9 PE & Athletics
  • GIPS Foundation Board
YOU get a Personal Day

All Staff Members who give $132 or more were entered into a drawing to win an extra personal day to be added to next year’s contract. Teaching & Learning Administrators will substitute for certified staff who require a sub. The winners are:

  • Maria Velasco, Walnut Middle School
  • Christina Dubbs, Walnut Middle School
  • Maria Zavala, Walnut Middle School

 

© 2025 Grand Island Public Schools Foundation
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