Donors

The people & organizations who have supported the Rural Schools Collaborative since its launch in 2015.

We put a lot of care into this list, but if your name is inaccurate or omitted, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. Thank you for your generosity!

$250,000 and more:

  • Bezos Family Foundation
  • The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • ECMC Foundation
  • Johns Hopkins University Everyone Graduates Center
  • Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
  • Anonymous Foundation

$100,000 and more:

  • Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Springfield, Missouri
  • Galesburg Community Foundation, Galesburg, Illinois
  • Gary and Jana Funk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois
  • National Rural Education Association
  • Patterson Family Foundation
  • Teton Science Schools, Jackson, Wyoming

$25,000 and more:

  • Big Idea Program, Glenstone Square, Springfield, Missouri
  • James† and Jean Beddow, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
  • John and Mary Cooper Charitable Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois
  • Celia and Mark Godsil, Abingdon, Illinois
  • Grand Victoria Foundation, Chicago, Illinois
  • Great Schools SI Initiative, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
  • Michelle and Sascha Mornell, Hillsborough, California
  • North State Together, Redding, California
  • The University of West Alabama, Livingston, Alabama

$10,000 and more:

  • American Institutes for Research, Arlington, Virginia
  • Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools
  • Cambridge Foundation, Cambridge, Wisconsin
  • CDC Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia
  • Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Iowa
  • East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
  • Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, Oregon
  • Hood Family Donor Advised Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Julie & Bruce Leeth, Springfield, Missouri
  • North Dakota Small Organized Schools, Bismarck, North Dakota
  • Parker Griffith Family Foundation, Montgomery, Alabama
  • Rural Community Alliance, Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Carol & Richard Silvey, West Plains, Missouri
  • T.L.L. Temple Foundation, Lufkin, Texas
  • Twomey Foundation, Roseville, Illinois
  • University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Missouri
  • University of Indianapolis - The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • University of Maine, Orono, Maine
  • West Central Initiative, Fergus Falls, Minnesota

$5,000 and more:

  • Arizona Rural Schools Association, Phoenix, Arizona
  • Joe & Jaimie Bartmann, Montrose, South Dakota
  • COhatch, Worthington, Ohio
  • California State University, Chico, California
  • Cambridge Mountain Bike Park Fund, Cambridge, Wisconsin
  • Dakota Resources, Renner, South Dakota
  • Dean L. Lund American Family Insurance Agency, Inc., Cambridge, Wisconsin
  • Dr. Steven L. Johnson, Lisbon, North Dakota
  • Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
  • Mike & Jodi Knutson, Watertown, South Dakota
  • Taylor McCabe-Juhnke, Galesburg, Illinois
  • Metis Leadership Group, Island Heights, New Jersey
  • Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi
  • Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky
  • Northern Arizona University Rural Resource Center, Flagstaff, Arizona
  • Charlie and Mary Beth O'Reilly Family Foundation, Springfield, Missouri
  • Dr. Lance Ternasky & Willa Moore, Avon, Illinois
  • University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
  • University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Wisconsin
  • Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois

$1,000 and more:

  • John Aeschlimann, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Alabama Education Association
  • Alabama Friends of Rural Schools
  • American Family Insurance, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Ray F. Aton Memorial Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Sally & Rob Baird, Springfield, Missouri
  • Cambridge WI Farm to School Fund
  • Central Illinois Rural Schools Collaborative, Charleston, Illinois
  • Community Foundation of Macon County, Decatur, Illinois
  • Community Foundation of the Ozarks President's Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Cyrus Driver, Hastings On Hudson, New York
  • Fogle Family Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Forefront, Chicago, Illinois
  • Funk Family Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Hal† and Kathy Funk, Springfield, Missouri
  • Katherine Funk, Springfield, Missouri
  • Josh and Stacy Gibb, Galesburg, Illinois
  • Lavina Grandon, Valley Springs, Arkansas
  • JKH Enterprises, Springfield, Missouri
  • Jay and Kim Handy, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Grace and Galen Hasler, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Natalie Kessler & Dave Dunn, Wataga, Illinois
  • Larry Lee, Montgomery, Alabama
  • The Lumpkin Family Foundation, Mattoon, Illinois
  • Dr. Arthur† & Joann Mallory, Springfield, Missouri
  • Karen & John McCabe-Juhnke, North Newton, Kansas
  • Dr. Jan Miller, Meridian, Mississippi
  • Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri
  • Tammy and Jim La Prad, Macomb, Illinois
  • Nate McClennen and Rachel Wigglesworth, Jackson, Wyoming
  • Derek & Sherry Nelson, Lake Mills, Wisconsin
  • Ohio Small Rural Collaborative, St. Paris
  • Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
  • Northern Colorado University - Colorado Center for Rural Education, Greeley, Colorado
  • Pennsylvania State University, Centre County, Pennsylvania
  • Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire
  • Brian and Denise Reid, Charleston, Illinois
  • Rural Conservation Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Susan Schroth, Redding, California
  • Geneva Shoemaker, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Terry Şivesind, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, Effingham, Illinois
  • Steve & Laurie Struss, Cambridge, Wisconsin
  • Tracy Family Foundation, Mount Sterling, Illinois
  • Turner Family Charitable Fund, Strafford, Missouri

Additional Contributions:

  • Chuck Alex, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Jessica Alvis, Bloomington, Illinois
  • Deborah Anderson, Oakland, Nebraska
  • Jim & Janet Anderson Family Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • David & Vicki Ardrey, Murphysboro, Illinois
  • Annie & Mike Ayres, Seattle, Washington
  • Kate Baird, Springfield, Missouri
  • Matthew Baumgartner, Newton, Kansas
  • Anna from Givebutter, Wilmington, Delaware
  • Cat Biddle, Orono, Maine
  • Rhonda & Mark Bishop, Pittsburg, Missouri
  • Terry & Jane Bork, Pasadena, California
  • Kristen Bovee
  • Erica Buller, Wellington, New Zealand
  • Dr. Janet Boyle, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Tony & Nora Brendler, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Renee & Phillip Carr, Fox, Arkansas
  • Rand & Molly Chappell, Overland Park, Kansas
  • Connie Ciesielski, North Aurora, Illinois
  • Emily Ciesielski, Kirkland, Washington
  • Avery Coates, Oxford, Ohio
  • Liliana Coelho, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Dr. Jen Collins, Iowa City, Iowa
  • Dr. Rob Collins Jr., Ed.D, South Shore, Kentucky
  • Tracy Colter, Geneseo, Illinois
  • Mr. Leon Combs, Bradleyville, Missouri
  • Leslie Cook, Jackson, Wyoming
  • Valerie Cardozo, East Elmhurst, New York
  • Amanda Cowart, Lemon Zest Copywriting, Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin
  • Von Cremeans, Ashville, Ohio
  • Kristen Cuthrell, Greenville, North Carolina
  • Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, South Dakota
  • Dave Dallas, Bend, Oregon
  • Aaron David, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Alisha David, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Julie David, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Beth Walz Davis, Rapid City, South Dakota
  • Maddie Dayley, Seattle, Washington
  • Dan & Jill DeVries, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • David Dickinson & Jeannine LaPrad, Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Michael Downs, New Lexington, Ohio
  • Earling Insurance Financial Service, Iowa
  • Bill & Gina Eggert, Cambridge, Wisconsin
  • Jeremy Eltz, Carmel, Indiana
  • Jordan Esely-Kohlman, Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Katie Eppinger, Chicago, Illinois
  • Andrea E. Evans, Chicago Heights, Illinois
  • Cathy Evans, Lemmon, South Dakota
  • Donald & Judith Fishburn, Forsyth, Illinois
  • Jaime Festa-Daigle, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
  • Amy F., Dubuque, Iowa
  • Taylor Fishwild, Mineral Point, Wisconsin
  • William Foran, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Katie Fluhr, Pingree Grove, Illinois
  • Ryan Fowler, Columbia, Tennessee
  • Jill Rose Franklund, Longmont, Colorado
  • Savannah Franklund, Monmouth, Illinois
  • Skye Franklund, Longmont, Colorado
  • Dr. Michaela Fray-Tappe & Andy Tappe, Quincy, Illinois
  • Rodney Frederick, Zionsville, Indiana
  • Megan Funk & Jon Urban, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Pat Funk†, Springfield, Missouri
  • Randy & Cheri Funk, Overland Park, Kansas
  • Getting Smart, Federal Way, Washington
  • John Glasgow, Monmouth, Illinois
  • J.R. Glasgow, Monmouth, Illinois
  • Anna-Margaret Goldman, Auburn, Alabama
  • Seth & Kelly Goode, New Windsor, Illinois
  • Google
  • Gene Gowan, Cambridge, Wisconsin
  • Brent & Jeannie Glover, Harrison, Arkansas
  • Eric Gundelfinger, Lancaster, Ohio
  • Rebecca Handler-Spitz, St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Stacey Hardin, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Melissa Harris, Snellville, Georgia
  • Michael & Shelly Heilman, Bismarck, North Dakota
  • Rick Gregory & Carolyn Herman, St. Louis, Missouri
  • Olivia Herron, Oxford, Ohio
  • Stephanie Hilliard, New Lexington, Ohio
  • Troy Hippen, Monmouth, Illinois
  • Nan & Wayne Hollie, Columbia, North Carolina
  • Jefferson County American Federation of Teachers Local 2143, Birmingham, Alabama
  • C.J. Jennings, Brooklyn, New York
  • Sarah Johnston, Saint Louis, Missouri
  • Winter and Marshall Kinne Family Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Amelia Kinzer, Dallas, Texas
  • Abbey Kirk and Ryan Jones, Memphis, Tennessee
  • Quinton Klabon, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
  • Koop Family, Kansas City, Kansas
  • Kelly & Louise Knauer Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Allan† & Phyllis Knutson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • Todd Kruse, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
  • Erin Lafary, Kirkwood, Illinois
  • Jodi Landgaard, Mitchell, South Dakota
  • Dean Langenfeld, LaVista, Nebraska
  • Maggie Langenfeld, Earling, Iowa
  • Jonathan Lewis, Stoughton, Wisconsin
  • Brandon Lucius, Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Gregory & Donna Lunnon, Oak Grove, Missouri
  • Sarah Lynch, Golden, Colorado
  • Kevin & Jan Mayes, Smithville, Missouri
  • Austin McCabe Juhnke, Columbus, Ohio
  • Abel McClennen, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Caleb McClennen, Brooklyn, New York
  • Carol & Walter McClennen, Holliston, Massachusetts
  • Madison McComb, Sherrard, Illinois
  • Kim McCully-Mobley, Aurora, Missouri
  • Susan McKim, Montgomery, Alabama
  • Emily Meier, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Jim & Sally Meier, Waunakee, Wisconsin
  • Rick & Val Melmer, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • Kristi Millar, Monmouth, Illinois
  • Ronald Millar
  • Karen Miller, Ozark, Missouri
  • Hannah Mills, Wilmington, Delaware
  • John Minnich, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Ian Moles, West Des Moines, Iowa
  • Gregory Montalvo, Macomb, Illinois
  • National Governors Association
  • New Duds, Colchester, Vermont
  • Whitney Newton, Erie, Colorado
  • Rick & Brenda Norem, Bowler, Wisconsin
  • Mary-Jane Owen, Klamath Falls, Oregon
  • Todd & Betty Parnell, Springfield, Missouri
  • Thomas & Kimberley Prater Family Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Dr. Allen Pratt, Chattanooga, Tennessee
  • Benjamin Precourt, Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Skylar & Stefanie Primm, Madison, Wisconsin
  • The Quail Family, Vermillion, South Dakota
  • Ned Read, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Sharon & Bryan Reber, Athens, Georgia
  • Barb & Paul Reffitt, Lampe, Missouri
  • Marc & Lisa Rentschler, Savage, Minnesota
  • Kathy Van Cleave Riedy, Pierre, South Dakota
  • Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Annah Rogers, Alabaster, Alabama
  • Lillian Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Judith Rose, Longmont, Colorado
  • Bradley Rowe, Monmouth, Illinois
  • Rural Educational Heritage INC., Fox, Arkansas
  • Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Tucson, Arizona
  • Madeline Sall, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Kallie & Natan Sandell Lopez, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
  • Matthew Schofield, Nicholson, Pennsylvania
  • Megan & Stephen Schopp, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
  • Karen Schreder, Chico, California
  • Barb Schriver, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Alex & Brady Schroth, Redding, California
  • Ann Schulte, Chico, California
  • Brett & Julie Schutte, Mitchell, South Dakota
  • Jim Shurts, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Param & Abha Singh, Macomb, Illinois
  • Lacey Skorepa, Rock Island, Illinois
  • Howard Spiegel, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
  • Jamie Spielmann, Redding, California
  • Jay & Nicole Spoonhour, St. Louis, Missouri
  • The Stokstad Family, Monona, Wisconsin
  • Nate & Janel Stucky, Princeton, New Jersey
  • Brian & Jessie Swartzentruber, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Dale & Jan Swartzentruber, Delaware, Ohio
  • Jacob Swartzentruber, Galesburg, Illinois
  • Mara Swartzentruber, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Paul & Jan Swartzentruber, Delaware, Ohio
  • Christopher Talbot, New Albany, Ohio
  • Karen & Steve Tardrew, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Sarah & Sean Tardrew, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Sydney Tardrew, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Lindsay Taylor, New York, New York
  • The Do Something Fund, Springfield, Missouri
  • Paul Theobald, Osmond, Nebraska
  • Third Cup Fund, Galesburg, Illinois
  • Sandra Thomaston, Alabama
  • Jon & Amy Turner, Ozark, Missouri
  • Susan Twomey, Monmouth, Illinois
  • Marla Ucelli-Kashyap, Washington, DC
  • Mary Jo Unger, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Nancy Van Milligen, Dubuque, Iowa
  • Emily Vigue, Lancaster, Ohio
  • James & Barbara Voight, St. Joseph, Missouri
  • Amanda Voth, La Grange Park, Illinois
  • John Wakefield, Springboro, Ohio
  • Jim & Jackie Wentworth, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • Annette White, Suitland, Maryland
  • Amy D. Whitehead, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Henry Whitehead, Mineral Point, Wisconsin
  • Horace Williams, Montgomery, Alabama
  • Lisa Wilt, Ohio, Illinois
  • Hailey Winkleman, Carmi, Illinois
  • Ms. Jennifer Wofford-Pratt, M.Ed, Houston, Mississippi
  • Clarence Wyatt & Lobi Stone, Monmouth, Illinois
  • Nathaniel Yackel, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Your Friends at Givebutter
  • Graci Zeiger, Indianola, Iowa

In Honor of...

Mr. Peter Amati
By Nate McClennen

Arkansas Teacher Corps Fellows
By Brandon Lucius

Denis Asselin
By Cat Biddle

Joyce Bass
By John Glasgow

Dr. James Beddow†
By Dr. Steven L. Johnson, Mike Knutson, and Taylor McCabe-Juhnke

Mr. Bigelow
By Alex & Brady Schroth

Mr. Bill
By Taylor McCabe-Juhnke

The Borderlands Rural Teacher Caucus
By Dr. Melissa Sadorf

Nathan Breitholtz
By Amanda Cowart

Jennifer Brickhouse
By Nan and Wayne Hollie

Mr. Caeser
By John & Karen McCabe-Junke

Melissa Carlson
By John & Karen McCabe-Junke

Mrs. Casey
By Alex & Brady Schroth

Whitney Clark
By Cat Biddle

Allison Collins
By Robert Collins

Mr. Warren G. Cousin, Sr.
By Ms. Jennifer Wofford-Pratt, M.Ed.

Dr. Derham
By Troy Hippen

Kris DeWild & Mark Kohorst
By Maggie Langenfeld

Russell Dobson
By Gary Funk

Emily Driscoll
By Hailey Winkleman

Eastern Oregon University Rural Teacher Alumni
By Dave Dallas

Norma Eden
By Kim McCully-Mobley

Educators and Administrators of Alexander Dawson School in Lafayette, CO
By Jill Rose Franklund

Blake Fisher
By Skye Franklund

Emily Fowler
By Ryan Fowler

Dr. Tom Fox
By Karen & Steve Tardrew

Mike Fray, Rural School Leader & Coach
By Dr. Michaela Fray-Tappe & Andy Tappe

Gary Funk
By Jim & Janet Anderson Family Fund, CFO President's Fund, Mr. Leon Combs, Fogle Family Fund, Grace & Galen Hasler, Dr. Steven L. Johnson, Katherine Funk, Winter & Marshall Kinne Family Fund, Tammy & Jim LaPrad, Kelly & Louise Knauer Fund, Charlie & Mary Beth O'Reilly Family Foundation, Todd & Betty Parnell, Thomas & Kimberley Prater Family Fund, Second Wind Fund, Carol & Richard Silvey, and Turner Family Charitable Fund

Jana Funk
By Fogle Family Fund, Katherine Funk, Charlie & Mary Beth O'Reilly Family Foundation, and Second Wind Fund

The Funk Family
By Community Foundation of the Ozarks President’s Fund

Mr. Furr
By Seth & Kelly Goode

Karlee Garcia
By Ann Schulte

Jenny Garnett
By Melissa Harris, and Annette White

PJ Gorneault
By Cat Biddle

GRAD Partnership Educators
By Annah Rogers

Grants in Place Teacher Awardees
By Savannah Franklund

Ms. Judy Halli
By Annah Rogers

Grace & Galen Hasler
By Gary Funk

Krista Heilman
By Michael & Shelly Heilman

Prof. John Hitchcock
By Aaron David

Elizabeth Holub
By Cat Biddle

Val Horacek
By Mike Knutson

Sharon Huggins
By Ann Schulte

Kara Janzen
By Karen McCabe-Juhnke

Marie Kinney McMorris
By Kim McCully-Mobley

Darrel Kohlman
By Jordan E-K

Faye Koop
By Koop Family

Dianne Leavitt
By Cat Biddle

Prof. Helen Lee
By Aaron David

Julie Leeth
By Sally & Rob Baird, and Taylor McCabe-Juhnke

Mr. Lingle
By Alex & Brady Schroth

Don Ludens
By Mike Knutson

Dr. Arthur Mallory
By Gary Funk

Mr. Phil Martin
By Dr. Steven L. Johnson

Karen McCabe-Juhnke
By John McCabe-Juhnke and Taylor McCabe-Juhnke

Carol and Walter McClennen
By Nate McClennen

Nate McClennen
By Taylor McCabe-Juhnke

Carolyn McInteer
By Abbey Kirk

Jen McClintock
By Cat Biddle

Faye McMorris Estes
By Kim McCully-Mobley

Mentor Teachers of the Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps
By Leslie Cook

Dr. Marlon Murray
By Lillian Rogers

Northern California GRAD Partnership Schools & Teachers
By Susan Schroth

Mrs. Orlin
By Leslie Cook

Cristina Perez
By Cat Biddle

Hayley Richardson
By Taylor McCabe-Juhnke

Richard Schmit
By Dr. Steven L. Johnson

Carol Silvey
By Taylor McCabe-Juhnke

Brian Skinner
By Taylor McCabe-Juhnke

South Dakota Educators
By Megan and Stephen Schopp

Mrs. Elizabeth (Hughes) Stimmel
By Dr. Jen Collins

Dr. Linda Tafel
By Karen & Steve Tardrew

Dr. Karen Tardrew
By Sydney Tardrew

TARTANS Alumni
By Tammy La Prad

Teachers in Indiana's Rural Early College Network
By Dr. Janet Boyle

Laura Thomas
By Cat Biddle

Amy Troy
By Savannah Franklund

Jim Uttecht
By Mike Knutson

Cyrus Weaver of Middleton High School
By John Minnich

Ellen Welch
By Mike Knutson

David Williams
By Matthew Baumgartner

In Memory of...

Dr. James Beddow
By Joe & Jaimie Bartmann, Beth Walz Davis, Dan & Jill DeVries, Fogle Family Fund, Gary & Jana Funk, Josh Gibb, Dr. Steven L. Johnson, Allan† & Phyllis Knutson, Mike Knutson, Taylor McCabe-Juhnke, Rick & Val Melmer, Marc & Lisa Rentschler, Kathy Van Cleave Riedy, Ann Schulte, Julie Hart Schutte & Brett Schutte, Carol Silvey, and Jim & Jackie Wentworth

Dr. Larry Chadwick
By Anonymous

Richard C Cremeans
By Von Cremeans

Hal D. Funk
By Katherine Funk, Donald & Judith Fishburn, Gregory & Donna Lunnon, Kevin & Jan Mayes, and James & Barbara Voight

Alain Grumberg
By Tony & Nora Brendler

Duane "Doc" Hanson
By Dr. Steven L. Johnson

Fran Hood
By Hood Family Donor Advised Fund

Allan Knutson
By Brett and Julie Schutte

Marie Kinney McMorris
By Kim McCully-Mobley

Jon Ness
By Dr. Steven L Johnson

Jack Norem
By Rick & Brenda Norem

Bob Plunkett
By Todd Kruse

Mr. Scott Ramsey
By Dave Dallas

Dorothy Rooney
By Tammy La Prad

Bill Rose
By Rick & Brenda Norem

Evelyn Ruckman
By Pat Funk†

Rodney Rushing
By Renee and Phillip Carr

Milton Schroth
By Susan Schroth

Dr. David Teja
By Karen Schreder

Betsy Webb, Former Bangor Superintendent
By Catharine Biddle

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