Keokuk Community School Foundation




KCSF provides financial support and assistance to students and teachers.

 

The Keokuk Community School Foundation (KCSF), a non-profit organization chartered in 1990, was established to help meet the growing financial needs of the Keokuk Community School District. It is with the continued support of the KCSD alumni that KCSF can provide teachers mini grants for supplies/materials for their classrooms and scholarships for graduating seniors.

KCSF realizes that the best way for our children to flourish in the future is to give them the very best education available today.

The KCSF exists to:

  1. Assist economically in the improvement of education in the Keokuk Community Schools.
  2. Provide assistance to those functions not readily supported by the use of tax funds.
  3. Promote pride in the Keokuk Community Schools through increased alumni relations and civic awareness

Debbie Spears, KCSF

KCSF, P.O. Box 431, Keokuk, IA 52632; Phone: (319) 382-0922

Provides financial support and assistance to KCSD students and teachers. ----- NEED HELP APPLYING? Alumni or students, for help with ParentSquare, contact Jessica Martin at jessica.martin@keokukschools.org.

Cameron Alumni Education Scholarship KCSF Scholarship Application DONATE to KCSF KHS Guidance & Scholarships

DONATE TO KCSF

BEQUESTS | Life Insurance Gifts – Properly arranged, life insurance is an attractive way to benefit the Keokuk Community School Foundation at a relatively low cost to the contributor.

CASH | The most popular way to contribute to the Keokuk Community School Foundation is with a cash gift – currency, check, money order, or bank draft made payable to the Keokuk Community School Foundation.

PLANNED | Life Insurance Gifts – Properly arranged, life insurance is an attractive way to benefit the Keokuk Community School Foundation at a relatively low cost to the contributor.

REAL ESTATE | The Foundation also accepts gifts of real property. Here are tax advantages for gifts of long-term appreciated real property: You pay no capital gains tax on the appreciation, and a charitable contribution deduction is allowed for the fair market value of real estate given to the Foundation on the day it is transferred by deed.

SECURITY | Gifts of appreciated securities often are move advantageous to the contributor than outright cash gifts. They provide two benefits: No capital gains tax is payable, and you may use the fair market value of the securities on the date of the gift to compute the income tax charitable deduction.

NOTE | The information in this section is believed valid under current tax law, but prospective contributors should consult with their own advisors about their individual situations and applicable tax law.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Keokuk Community School Foundation is proud to provide several scholarships, totaling over $40,000 to 2025 graduates of Keokuk High School who plan on continuing their education, along with a scholarship for KHS alumni.
PURPOSE |  To recognize a deserving Keokuk High School Senior(s) planning to enroll full-time in an accredited technical, community, or four-year college or university.
ELIGIBILITY | The scholarships shall be granted to individuals based upon their motivation to learn, personal character, extracurricular activities, evidence of work commitment, community involvement, and academic record, along with scholarship specific criteria. Financial need may be considered.
APPLY | By completing one application, students will be considered for all KCSF scholarships for which they are eligible (see full list below, along with individual scholarship requirements, such as essays).

  • The scholarship deadline is April 14, 2025 (submission date).

NOTE | Consideration will only be given to StudentSquare submitted applications.

If any designated recipient is prevented from enrolling for the intended semester or otherwise leaves school temporarily, through circumstances beyond his or her control as determined by the Selection Committee, the scholarship may be held for a period of two years.

Scholarships will be awarded at the KHS Awards Ceremony in the Spring. Recipients will receive a packet with instructions for submitting verification of enrollment for the upcoming school year. Checks will then be issued to the institution.

FOR ALUMNI

Dr. Bill and Jody Cameron Education Scholarship was a $2500 one-time scholarship in 2024. Applicants for this scholarship had to be KHS graduates and education majors, and had to have completed 1-2 years of post-secondary education.

FOR CURRENT KHS SENIORS

$5,000 – Recipient must attend Iowa State University and plan to major in a STEM field.

Five $1000 – Recipient must attend Southeastern Community College and plan to major in a STEM field.

Up to $3500– Two scholarships are given. The scholarship will be $2500 for year one and is renewable one time for $1000 based on satisfactory academic progress.

Up to $4000 – Recipient must be a Keokuk High School graduate and pursue a four-year degree in an engineering field. The recipient demonstrates excellent character and volunteerism.  Applicants will complete a short essay up to 500 words on why they want to go into engineering. The scholarship will be $1000 for year one and is renewable up to three times for a total of four years based on satisfactory academic progress in the field of engineering.

$1000

Up to $3500 – Two scholarships are given. The scholarship will be $2500 for year one and is renewable one time for $1000 based on satisfactory academic progress.

Up to $4000 — Two students will be selected each year to receive this scholarship. Applicants will be selected based on excellent personal character, volunteerism, significant involvement in church or community related activities and evidence of a strong work ethic. Each scholarship is worth $4000 and will be distributed in one of three methods. $4000 for attending a one-year certification program; $2000 per year, renewable, based on satisfactory academic progress for attending a two-year program or degree; $1000 per year for four years, renewable, based on satisfactory academic progress for attending a four-year program. Applicants will also be expected to complete a short 400-word essay reflecting on the statement “Live Like Lucas”.

$500 – Recipient is a senior business student selected by the business teacher

$1000 – Recipient must plan to attend University of Iowa

Up to $8000 will be distributed between multiple qualified applicants at the discretion of the scholarship committee. Recipients are students who show potential and have endured and overcome a hardship(s) in their lives (illness, home life etc.).

$2500 – Selected by guidance counselor/teacher(s). The recipient demonstrates the desire, acumen and academic potential for success.

NOTE | The button will become ACTIVE during the submission period each Spring. Students will be able to apply in their student StudentSquare account during the active period.

NOT OPEN -KCSF APPLICATION on StudentSquare

GRANTS

KCSF has once again received a generous donation of $4,000 from Mrs. Roberta Fowler Tong. Mrs. Tong established the Les and Jane Fowler Memorial Teacher Grants in honor of her parents, Les and Jane Fowler. This is the fifth year that the Foundation is able to offer this grant program.

Mr. and Mrs. Fowler were active in the Keokuk community for over sixty years in a variety of capacities, always with a focus on education. Roberta Fowler graduated from KHS in 1969 and after graduating from the University of Iowa, went on to become a middle school and high school English teacher in California. Her two daughters are both elementary school teachers. Supporting and nurturing education has been a priority in the Fowler family for generations.

The Les and Jane Fowler Memorial Teacher Grants are eight (8) $500 grants that provide practicing KCSD teachers funding for programs and/or materials designed to encourage and improve student success and growth. Funds can be used to purchase equipment, technology, software, books, flexible seating, diversity/racism/gender equity materials, teacher training materials, supplies or other options that add depth, accessibility and dimension to learning.

APPLY | Interested teachers should complete the Fowler Grant application form and submit it by Jan. 5, 2026. Applications will be reviewed, discussed and selections will be made at the January 2026 meeting of the Keokuk Community School Foundation board. Recipients will be notified by email shortly thereafter. 

Grant recipients are encouraged to share photos/videos or descriptions about how the funds were used and the impact on the students/program with the Foundation following completion of their projects. Teachers are also encouraged to share descriptions of their grant projects on their building’s Facebook pages, Twitter, and Instagram to publicize their projects and show the impact on their students. 

The KCSF depends on the generosity of the alumni and friends of Keokuk Community School District to financially support ongoing projects in the classrooms, arts and music departments and on the athletic fields. The Foundation is sincerely grateful for all donations that are received, as they do make a positive difference in the education of the students of Keokuk Community School District. To make a donation or for further information, please contact Lisa Celania with KCSF.

The Keokuk Community School Foundation will award mini grants annually to individual teachers of the Keokuk Community School District. The amount of the grant is a maximum of $300. An individual teacher can only receive the grant once per school year. The number of grants given annually and the time of the distribution(s) is at the discretion of the Foundation board. Because the financial status of the Foundation depends solely on the contributions of alumni/friends of the district, the number of grants awarded each year may vary.

The application may be submitted online to: keokukschoolfoundation@gmail.com or printed and mailed to: Keokuk Community School Foundation at P.O. Box 431, Keokuk, Iowa 52632. 

The purpose of the mini-grant is to financially support instructional strategies and experiences that would not or could not be funded by the Keokuk District. The types of projects that qualify include, but are not limited to, software programs, books, manipulatives, instructional tools, special events, guest speakers, classroom furniture for the students, if it is shown to improve learning.

The grant should be for materials that are used by many students, is an ongoing and sustainable project, and is not disposable or for one time use.

Recipients are asked to make a report to the board of directors regarding the use of the grant dollars. Over the last several years, an average of $6000 has been awarded annually to teachers for classroom instructional materials and supplies, projects, software and furniture.

 

NOTE | ACTIVE now for the submission period through Jan. 5, 2026.

OPEN | FOWLER GRANT APPLICATION on ParentSquare

MORE INFO

The Keokuk Community School Foundation proudly awards multiple scholarships each May on the KHS Awards Night. KCSF gratefully acknowledges and sincerely thanks all alumni and donors who support this mission and make awarding these monetary scholarships possible.

KCSF is managed by a board of directors consisting of local volunteers, including liaison members from the School Board and the Administrative Team. Although not a requirement, a majority of board members are graduates of the Keokuk Community School system.

Officers

President: Ashley Custer ’04 Vice President: Melissa (Lovell) Eckland ‘09
Treasurer: Teri Dunlap  Secretary: Debbie (Sohl) Spears ‘80

Board of Directors

Woodie Brassil ‘72 Jud Miller ’89
Dana Hendricks ’79 Heather Rose
Cheri (Lindner) Kemp ‘83 Nicole (Wemette) Nemecek ‘90
Dr. Kali (Kircher) Ruffcorn ’09 Bonnie Peevler – KCSD School Board Rep
Nicole Meyers Dr. Kathy Dinger, KCSD Administrative Representative

PREVIOUS SCHOLARHIP WINNERS

Recipients 2024

Donald Webb Scholarship: $3500 – Chase Eckland, Brendan Worster

Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship: $3500 – Avery Land, Jiya Patel

Evie Hogan Scholarship: $1000 – Aydan O’Connor

Phoenix Scholarship: $2000 – Silas Stevens, $1000 Makayla Altgilbers & Malachi Douglas

David Mathews Scholarship: $500 – Makayla Altgilbers, Malachi Douglas, Avery Land & London Wray; $1000 – Eden Schilling; $2000 – Kaleb Barnes, Keith Carter & Heidi Rose

Martha Camp Barrows Scholarship: $1250 – Kyla Muston

Watchful Fox Scholarship: $2500 – Abigail Killoren

Lucas Nye Memorial Scholarship: $4000 – Josie Marshall & Erich Profetta

Marie Connor Business Scholarship: $500 – William Potratz

Dr. Bill and Jody Cameron Scholarship: $2500 – Aden Whitaker

Recipients 2023

  • Donald Webb Scholarship: $2500 – Bryor Lindner
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship: $2500 – Chloe Ruhl and Madelynn Wyatt
  • Dr. Karen Wolfmeyer Scholarship: $1000 – Brittney Kelly
  • Evie Hogan Scholarship: $1000 – Anna Hinton
  • Phoenix Scholarship: $1000 – Chloe Commander, $750 – Emerson Glasgow, $250 – Kylie Eaton
  • David Mathews Scholarship: $10,000 – Kayde Martin
  • Martha Camp Barrows Scholarship: $1250 – Zoe Savage
  • Watchful Fox Scholarship: 2500 – Khylie Dodson
  • Marie Connor Business Scholarship: $500 – Brooklyn Seabold
  • Dr. Bill and Jody Cameron Scholarship: $2500 – Anthony Potratz

Recipients 2022

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – $2500 – Jordan Sisk and Andrew Guymon
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – $2500 – Abby Wolter and Bailey Bender
  • Dr. Karen Wolfmeyer Scholarship – $1000 – Natalie Ames
  • Evie Hogan Scholarship – $1000 – Nicholas Profeta
  • Phoenix Scholarship – $2000 -Alyssa Day, $500 – Crystal DeOrnellas, $500 – Dustin Gilbert
  • $1000 – Josh Wills, $2000 – Hanna Marlin, $1000 – Otto Bodicker
  • David Mathews Scholarship – $5000 – Layden Denning
  • David Mathews Scholarship – $1000 – Skylar Weilandich, Dalton Jones, Clara Arntzen
  • Elijah Stice, Gabrielle Boring
  • Martha Camp Barrows Scholarship – $1250 – Kaylie Watson
  • Watchful Fox Scholarship – $2500 – Heaven Dove and Alexis Moore
  • Marie Connor Business Scholarship – $500 – Crystal DeOrnellas
  • Dr. Bill and Jody Cameron Memorial Scholarship – $2500 – Sydney McCarron

Recipients 2021

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – $2500 – Anthony Potratz and Boone Messer
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – $2500 – Sydeny McCarron and Lindsey Campbell
  • Dr. Karen Wolfmeyer Award – $1000 – Keleigh Hall
  • Evie Hogan Award – $1000 – Corey Skinner
  • Phoenix Award -$2000 – Callum Tackes and Korbyn Sangster
  • David Mathews Scholarship – $2000 – Megan Cook, Makayla McLaughlin, Matalyn Thornton, Violet Gilbert and Isaiah Seay
  • Martha Camp Barrows Scholarship – $1350 – Tristyn O’Connor
  • Marie Connor Business Award – $500 – Kaiden Stoneking
  • Dr. Bill and Jody Cameron Memorial Scholarship – $2500 – Dylan Jones

Recipients 2020

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – $2500 – Brent Merydith and Jensen Broadwell
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – $2500 – Jenna Summers and Rylee Johnson
  • Dr. Karen Wolfmeyer Award – $1000 – Isabelle Vandenberg
  • Evie Hogan Award – $850 – Hannah Brewer
  • Phoenix Award – $2000 – Maggie Martin, Ethan Koehler, Rory Zetterlund
  • David Mathews Scholarship – $8000 – Rodger Bryant
  • Martha Camp Barrows Scholarship – $1425 – Madeline Guy
  • Joan Schleier Art Award – $500 – Olivia Smith
  • Marie Connor Business Award – $500 – Megan Giesler
  • Dr. Bill and Jody Cameron Memorial Scholarship – $2500 – Reade Reiter

Recipients 2019

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – $2500 – Philip Dunlap and Alex Wolter
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – $2500 – Sydney Schafer and Corgan Ball
  • Dr. Karen Wolfmeyer Award – $1000 – Kendall Watson
  • Evie Hogan Award – $750 – MacKenzie Northup
  • Phoenix Award – $2000 – Hailey Watson, Elizabeth Englebrecht and Shelby Haage
  • David Mathews Scholarship – $8000 – Cassidy Abfalter-Dial
  • Martha Camp Barrows Scholarship – $1300 – Sadie Belba
  • Norman Award – $250 – Ivy Boddicker
  • Joan Schleier Art Award – $500 – Brianna Crowell
  • Marie Connor Business Award – $500 – Andrew Hartrick
  • Dr. Bill and Jody Cameron Memorial Scholarship – $2500 – Reade Reiter

Recipients 2018

  • Norman Award – $250 – Gavin Congdon
  • Joan Schelier Art Award – $500 – Tayden Seay
  • Marie Conner Business Award – $500 – Nicholas Payne
  • Evie Hogan Award – $750 – Maddison Miller
  • Dr. Karen Wolfmeyer Scholarship – $1000 – Evylin Merydith
  • Donald Webb Scholarship – $2500 each – Daniel Rubio, Justin Walte
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – $2500 each – Jakayla Hall, Sydni Skinner
  • Phoenix Award – $2000 each – Jayme Bode, Jared Knox, Avory Osbon
  • Dr. Bill & Jody Cameron Memorial Scholarship – $2500 – 2017 KHS Graduate Makenzie Pezley
  • David Mathews Memorial Award – $8000 – 2017 KHS Graduate Jacob Kite

Recipients 2017

  • Evie Hogan Award – $750 –  Brittany Evermon
  • Joan Schleier Art Award – $450 –  Haley Benson
  • Norman History Award – $250 –  Austin Derr
  • Marie Conner Business Award – $500 – Kortney Calhoun
  • Dr. Karen Wolfmeyer Award – $600 – Madison Ette
  • David Mathews Award – $2000 –  Elizabeth Potratz
  • Donald Webb Scholarship – $2500 each – Isaac Dunlap & Jarrett Johnston
  • KCSF Scholarship – $2500 each – Allison Herr & Tashia Lilly
  • Blindside Award –$2000 each – Haley Benson, Sujata Buerklin, & David Williams
  • Dr. Bill & Jody Cameron Memorial Scholarship – $2500 – Riley Roth

Recipients 2016

  • Dr. Karen Wolfmeyer Scholarship – $600 – Kendall Rose
  • Evie Hogan Award – $750 – Avery Wilson
  • Joan Schleier Art Award – $400 – Maia Jenkins
  • Norman History Award – $250 – Michael Glasscock
  • Marie Conner Business Award – $500 – Eli Riddle
  • Donald Webb Scholarship – $2500 each – Donovan Logsdon & Chandler Sanders
  • KCSF Scholarship – $2500 each – Trinity Jeffers & Shelby Milligan
  • Blindside Award – $2000 each – Autumn Cochran, Samantha Congdon & Griphen Jeffers
  • Dr. Bill & Jody Cameron Memorial Scholarship – $2500 – Austin Hartrick (2012 KHS graduate)

Recipients 2015

  • Dr. Bianca Hendricks-Myers Award – Lakyn Boltz – $500
  • Dr. Karen Wolfmeyer Scholarship – Kelsey Stamper – $600
  • Doris Kies Memorial Scholarship – Mercedes Hawkins – $2000
  • Evie Hogan Award – Megan Sigmund – $750
  • Joan Schleier Art Scholarship – Kelsey Stamper – $400
  • David Mathews Memorial Scholarship – Erin Otte – $300
  • Marie Conner Award – Maddie Reichman – $500
  • Donald Webb Scholarship – Gage Hawkins & Nick Long – $2500 each
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – Lakyn Boltz & Maddie Reichman – $2500 each
  • Dr. Bill & Jody Cameron Memorial Scholarship – Austin Hartrick – $2500

Recipients 2014

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – $2500 each to Kohl Farmer and Shawn Haage
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – $2500 each to Taylor Dunn and Hope Wrieden
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Blindside Award – $2000 each to Taylor Lemon and Kirbey Sanders
  • Marie Conner Award – $500 to Kevin Clark
  • Dr. Karen Wolfmeyer Award – $600 to Malorie Maerz
  • Evie Hogan Award – $800 to Brandt Ames
  • Dr. Bianca Hendricks Myers (’00) Award – $300 to Alexis Hawkins
  • Joan Schleier Art Award – $350 to McKenzie Berquam
  • Dr. Bill & Jody Cameron Education Scholarship – $2500 to 2012 KHS graduate Ashley Love

Recipients 2013

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – Jackson Maddox and Korbin Johnson – $2500
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – Courtney Otte and Samantha Schwab – $2500
  • Keokuk Alumni Give Back Scholarship – Trenton Humphrey – $10,000
  • KCSF Blindside Award – Moman Nasir and Christian Morris – $2000
  • Dr. Bill & Jodie Cameron Memorial Scholarship – Rachel Elder – $2500
  • Bianca Hendricks-Myers Award – Chelsea Deyo – $300
  • Joan Schleier Art Award – Kendall Woolf – $300
  • Marie Conner Award – Ryan Dean – $500
  • Evie Hogan Award – Brittney Benedict – $750

Recipients 2012

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – Michael Bartels & Tanner Walden – $2500
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – Marlee Washburn & Regan Zetterlund – $2500
  • KCSF Blindside Award – Abigail Frank – $2000
  • Dr. Bill & Jodie Cameron Memorial Scholarship – Rachel Elder – $2500
  • Bianca Hendricks-Myers Award – Hope Seyb – $500
  • Joan Schleier Art Award-Brent Hunter – $300
  • Marie Conner Award – Ryan Kemp – $500
  • Evie Hogan Award – Mollie Martin – $750

Recipients 2011

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – Logan Boltz and Kyle Messer – $2500
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – Angelina Galbreath & Kayla Hays – $2500
  • KCSF Blindside Award – Amslee Bollin & Amber Wolff – $2000
  • KHS Alumni Give Back Scholarship – Kelly Krueger – $10,000
  • Bianca Hendricks-Myers Award – Shelsey Stanley – $300
  • Joan Schleier Art Award – Brent Hunter – $300
  • Marie Conner Award – Summer Hardy & Colby Tate – $500

Recipients 2010

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – Elijah Seay & Eric Tadlock- $2500.00
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – Kelsey Johnson & Hannah Piersee – $2500.00
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Blind Side Scholarship – Caleb Sackett & Chelsie Runge – $2000.00
  • Marie Conner Award – Megan Adams & Emily Clark – $500

Recipients 2009

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – Luke Davis & Kristopher Hopkins – $2500
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – Nicole Kelly & Kelsey Payne – $2500
  • Marie Conner Award – Michael Daughters & Lindsay Nash – $500

Recipients 2008

  • Donald Webb Scholarship – Evan Isaacs – $1500
  • Keokuk Community School Foundation Scholarship – Kelsey Johnson & Natalie Meyers & Amanda Winn – $1500
  • Marie Conner Award – Derek Nash & Jeff Murray – $500