By-Laws, Policies, and Statements
General Fund and Spending Policy
Who We Are
The Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation was established as a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) in 1986 to assist with the financial needs of the Rock Island-Milan School District 41. Since that time, we have strengthened our community's schools and provided opportunities for its students to continue their education. We strive to "Be a Rock" - always there for support when the district and its students need us.
The Education Foundation is the single largest provider of scholarships to Rocky students. But we do much more than award scholarships. Our mission - Enhancing Academic Opportunities for Student Success - also involves a commitment to enriching the current educational environment of all our students. With the support of our generous donors, are able to fulfill that mission and provide the critical resources, materials, and programs to enable that success for the students, teachers, and schools of District 41.
2024-2025 Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation Board of Directors:
Bryan Blew, President
Zach Edwards, Vice-President
Steve Andich, Secretary
Shellee Showalter, Treasurer
Barb Cady
Chris Elsberg
Ian Frink
Rachel Gustafson
Doug Hultquist
Eric Rowell
Bob Swanson
LaShanta Williams
Monta Ponsetto, Executive Director
Honorary Board:
Pryce Boeye
Pryce T. Boeye
Bill Cleaver
Reed Doughty
Rose Ann Hass
Ted Johnson
Russ Kennel
Jody Leiby
Jon Loquist
Cindy Lukasik
Sue McDevitt
Gary Miner
John Phillips
Gary Rowe
Cosette Shrader
Dave VanLandegen
Don Wentler
Events & Announcements
$255,415 in PRIME (Promoting Rock Island Milan Education) Grantswas awarded for 122 grants at the start of the 2024-2025 school year! 138 teachers/educators received the funding for a variety of innovative projects. PRIME Grants truly fulfill our mission to "enhance academic opportunities for student success. For more information about our PRIME Grants and to see the full list of all grants awarded go to our "Grants" tab and click on "PRIME Grants." You can also view coverage of the award presentation: RIMEF Presents PRIME Grants
The RIMEF has awarded nearly $1.5 Million in PRIME Grants (originally called Teacher Grants) to the teachers and schools of the RIMSD. With their funding, each teacher receives an award letter and plaque to hang in their classroom courtesy of Edwards Creative. The grants are made possible by our donors and assistance from the Doris and Victor Day Foundation, Junior Board of Rock Island, Alfaretta Young Foundation, the Rock Island Art Guild (awarding RIAG PRIME Awards,) the Barbara Fackel Foundation, and the Rauch Family I Foundation.
$177,200 in scholarships was awarded at the 44th Austin Academic Achievement Awards & RIMEF Scholarship Night!
The Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation was proud to recognize 74 Top Ten students and award 102 scholarships to the Class of 2024 in the RIHS Auditorium on May 8. This evening to celebrate our deserving Rocky students was made possible by contributions from individual/business contributors and the generosity of our scholarship benefactors. Thank you to the RIMEF Board of Directors, RIHS teachers, administration, the RIMSD41 School Board, parents/guardians and all those who helped make the night such a tremendous success! Bally's Quad Cities provided great refreshments for the reception held in the new remodeled "Island" area at Rocky.
Congratulations students!!!
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