Cedar Rapids Schools - District Foundation
The Cedar Rapids Community Schools District Foundation administers funds designated for particular uses and those that can support a variety of school programs and projects. Most funds are endowed to pay annual awards from all, or a portion of, interest and earnings on the account principal.
Donations to an endowed fund are invested in interest-bearing accounts or other growth-oriented investments. Each year, all, or a portion of interest or earnings, are used to support key initiatives of the Foundation. The principal of the fun is untouched and continues to grow as a portion of interest and/or earnings are reinvested. Gifts to the endowment become part of a perpetual, growing, and dependable resource committed to improving the educational opportunities for our schools.
Mission
Building financial support and recognize excellence in our schools.
Vision
To be recognized as the key educational charitable-giving organization of the District, and to provide a broad and equitable educational opportunities to students, staff, faculty, and residents of the geographical area it serves.
Impact
To improve the learning environment by providing scholarships, learning materials, improved facilities, and enrichment opportunities to students and professional development grants to district staff.
Foundation Newsletter
Lace Up For Learning
Click on the logo to learn more about our 5K & 10K Walk / Run & Mile Fun Run. 
Foundation Awards Professional Development Scholarships
| The Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation awarded professional development grants for 2008 to six District staff members. Receiving the Ernie Pence Memorial Grant for $400 is Michelle Carradus, a Title One teacher at Taylor Elementary School (this year working at Van Buren Elementary). Carradus enrolled in a University of Northern Iowa course on reading and writing across the curriculum. |  (front row, l-r) Michelle Carradus, Melissa Wyatt, Josie Norton, Julia Brown, and Heather Adams (back row) Robert Reitz, Chairman, Board of Trustees, and Bill Williamson |
Foundation grants of $250 each were awarded to the following District teachers: Heather Adams, Advanced Placement Psychology teacher at Washington High School, to attend the AP Teacher Training program in Des Moines; Bill Williamson, fifth grade teacher at Nixon Elementary School, to attend a University of Northern Iowa workshop to prepare instructors to teach geography and cultural diversity; Melissa Wyatt, paraeducator at Kennedy High School, to attend Kirkwood Community College to study disability services; and Julia Brown, special education teacher at Kennedy High School, to enroll in a course at the University of St. Thomas on educating oppositional and defiant students.
Josie Norton, a third grade teacher at Garfield Elementary School, was awarded the first Ruth Harbour Scholarship for $250. The scholarship was established in 2008 in Ms. Harbour’s memory to encourage teachers to pursue degrees in library science or elementary education administration. Norton attended the University of Northern Iowa to study library science.