GIPS Foundation Celebrates 22nd Annual Staff Giving Campaign Results
Grand Island, NE – May 12, 2025 – 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 provide 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.
For more information about the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation and its initiatives, please visit gipsfoundation.org
About Grand Island Public Schools Foundation:
The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation is committed to enhancing educational opportunities for students within the Grand Island Public Schools district. Through scholarships, grants, and innovative programs, the Foundation strives to empower students and educators, fostering a culture of excellence and achievement.