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By-Laws, Policies, and Statements

RIMEF By-Laws

Non-Discrimination Statement

General Fund and Spending Policy

Financial Policy

Gift Policy

Investment Policy

Scholarship Policy

Solicitation 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.

2023-2024 Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation Board of Directors:

Barb Cady, President
Bryan Blew, Vice-President
Zach Edwards, Secretary
Shellee Showalter, Treasurer

Steve Andich
Pryce T. Boeye
Chris Elsberg
Rachel Gustafson

Doug Hultquist
Eric Rowell
Bob Swanson
LaShanta Williams

Monta Ponsetto, Executive Director

Honorary Board:

Pryce 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

  • $205,576.27 in PRIME (Promoting Rock Island Milan Education) Grants was awarded at a ceremony held on August 1 at Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse. 99 grants were issued to 117 teachers/educators for the 2023-2024 school year funding 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."

    The RIMEF has awarded $1,236,000 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.

    Congratulations to all the recipients and THANK YOU for using our PRIME Grant program to provide new and innovative programs and materials to benefit your students!

  • $141,200 in scholarships was awarded at the 43nd Austin Academic Achievement Awards & RIMEF Scholarship Night! The Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation was proud to recognize 73 Top Ten students and award 92 scholarships to the Class of 2023 in the RIHS Auditorium on May 9. 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. Whitey's, Olde Towne Bakery, and ComedySportz made the Top Ten students awards extra special.

    Congratulations students!!!

  • Seniors! You could be the recipient of part of the over $100,000 in scholarships the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation (RIMEF) will award to the Class of 2023! One application is all you need to be considered for any of the RIMEF's 49 named scholarships providing up to 70 individual scholarship opportunities! Last year, the Education Foundation awarded a total of $137,200 in scholarships just to Rocky seniors! The RIMEF 2023 Scholarship Application is available in online form only through our website (see the scholarship tab) or on the RIHS website. Application and related materials are due by March 1, 2023 - 4:30 p.m. Please contact the Education Foundation at rimef@rimsd41.org or 309.581.2154 with questions or for more information.

  • A record $158,404.19 in PRIME (Promoting Rock Island Milan Education) Grants were awarded for the 2022-2023 academic year! The RIMEF presented the PRIME Grants at the All-Staff Institute held on August 2 at Centennial Hall, Augustana College. 76 grants were issued - 38 Teacher, 31 Departmental/School and 7 Multi-School grants were awarded to 94 teachers funding a variety of programs and materials throughout the district. See the full list of all grants funded in our upcoming Fall 2022 Newsletter and on this website under the "Grants" tab - "PRIME Grants. " 

    Over $1,000,000 in PRIME Grants (originally called Teacher Grants) have been given to the teachers and schools of the RIMSD. In addition to the funds for their programs, each teacher received an award letter and award 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, the Rock Island Art Guild (awarding RIAG PRIME Awards), and the Rauch Family I Foundation. Additional funds were generated through Birdies for Charity contributions. Congratulations to all the recipients and THANK YOU for using our PRIME Grant program to provide new and innovative programs and materials to benefit your students!