Indian Prairie Educational Foundation

The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) is a nonprofit organization established in 1988, dedicated to enriching the educational experiences of students within the Indian Prairie School District 204 (IPSD 204). The foundation focuses on supporting the academic, artistic, emotional, and physical needs of students.

Mission

IPEF's mission is to partner with IPSD 204 to enhance student success through innovative opportunities and inspiring experiences. It aims for students to achieve success through out-of-the-box thinking, for staff to reach their full teaching potential, and for the community to support the school district collectively.

Impact

Over 35 years, IPEF has raised $5.2 million for IPSD 204 and supports approximately 26,000 students annually. Key initiatives include:

• Teacher Grants: IPEF has allocated $1.58 million for teacher innovation grants, which support new teaching concepts and curricular enhancements.
• Cardiac Screenings: The foundation has facilitated over 39,085 cardiac screenings for high school students.
• Fundraising by Team IPEF: Team IPEF has raised $1.2 million to further support educational initiatives.

Programs and Services

IPEF offers a range of programs to enrich student experiences:

• Mental Health Support: IPEF funds mental health programs such as the Back on Track initiative and IPSD 204's annual Mental Health Symposium.
• Fine Arts: The foundation supports the district's award-winning Fine Arts programs, including holiday concerts and the annual Fine Arts Festival.
• STEM Initiatives: IPEF backs STEM-related activities like robotics clubs, e-sports, and Project Lead the Way for engineering students.
• Kid Essentials: This program assists low-income and homeless students with basic essentials like school supplies, food, and clothing.
• Teacher Innovation Grants: These grants fund creative teaching projects that provide academic enrichment and curricular enhancements.
• A+ Awards: IPEF recognizes outstanding educators with the A+ Award, chosen from student, parent, and community nominations.

Vision

The foundation envisions a future where students succeed by engaging in innovative thinking and benefiting from unique opportunities and experiences. It strives for staff to maximize their teaching potential and for the community to collaborate in supporting District 204.

[1] https://ipef204.org/about-ipsd204/ [2] https://www.nctv17.org/spotlight/indian-prairie-educational-foundation-enriches-the-lives-of-students/ [3] https://ipef204.org [4] https://causes.benevity.org/causes/840-363652236?lang=en [5] https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-3652236