WRPS Endowment Fund

A Fund for Educational Excellence

March 2008
The Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools (WRPS) Endowment Fund is invested and administered by the Community Foundation of South Wood County.

The inception of the WRPS Endowment Fund was in the spring of 2001.  We are all aware of ever increasing budget constraints and limited federal, state and local public resources for education.  It is precisely this type of fiscal environment that prompted organizers to form the WRPS Endowment Fund as a charitable fund.

Mission Statement: The WRPS Endowment Fund is a charitable fund dedicated to enhancing students' educational opportunities.

A twelve member, volunteer Board of Trustees oversees the WRPS Endowment Fund. Members include: Dr. Matthew Dorshorst, Paul Graff, Kelly Heiman, Beth Klumb, Anne Lee, Nancy Lucas, Dr. Tom Marshall, Dr. Robert McGrath, Erin Schmidt, Brenda Simon, Kim Kinsey Sparks, David Stark.

Many worthwhile projects cannot be funded by tax sources, so this fund supports quality programs and activities that enhance students' educational experiences beyond the basic curriculum.  In the fall of the year, staff members of the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools are invited and encouraged to write grant proposals for enrichment of the educational curriculum.  The grant proposals are reviewed by a committee with recommendations approved by the Board of Trustees.  Upon approval, funds are directed to staff members for implementation of their project.

Beginning with the fall of 2003, the WRPS Endowment Fund has awarded $12,195.00 for thirty-three grants to WRPS staff members, along with $1,000.00 to the Lincoln High School music department for band uniforms.  Again, this fall, grants will be awarded with the recipients notified in early December.  It should be noted that only the interest earned from the principal is used for the grants.

In the past, grants have supported a reading improvement program at Mead Elementary School, the purchase of portable microscopes at East Junior High School, an improvisational music program at Lincoln High School, and Sensational Sea Shells at Lincoln High School, among other worthy projects and events.

Fund raising highlights for the WRPS Endowment Fund included entertaining and energetic performances by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Marching Band in the spring of 2005 and spring of 2007.  The events were incredibly successful as they provided very special entertainment for area families and were a significant financial boost to the WRPS Endowment Fund.

Quality education is the cornerstone of community development.  The Board of Trustees for the WRPS Endowment Fund want to preserve the quality of education that is offered in the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools for many generations to come.

The WRPS Endowment Fund has made significant progress during its short existence due to the support of many volunteers, donors, educators, alumni, and businesses.

The WRPS Endowment Fund will touch the lives of children for generations to come.  Thank you for your support!

Beth Klumb, President
WRPS Endowment Fund