QND Announces 2024 Fund Drive Goal of $475,000
Led by Co-Chairs Brian Dreier ’89 & Dr. Jason Knuffman ‘93
January 19, 2024 – Quincy Notre Dame has announced a goal of $475,000 for the 2024 QND Fund Drive. Since its inception in 1977, the Fund Drive has raised over $18 million which plays a vital role in QND remaining a pillar of Catholic secondary education in Quincy. The Fund Drive kicks off today and runs through the calendar year.
The QND Fund Drive helps keep tuition affordable by paying a portion of the school’s operating costs and closing the gap between the cost to educate a student and tuition. The Fund Drive additionally supports QND’s financial aid program. This school year, 42% of QND students receive financial assistance.
“The Fund Drive remains the most pivotal fundraising endeavor we have annually at QND,” said Kurt Stuckman, executive director of the QND Foundation. “QND is successful because of the generosity of our donors which allows us the ability to provide a high-quality education. The Fund Drive allows us to invest in growth and development to fulfill our mission. We remain humbled by such kindness locally and throughout the country.”
Each year, two chairpersons take up the fundraising challenge to invest in our future leaders of the community. This year, Brian Dreier ’89 and Dr. Jason Knuffman ’93 join numerous others who have previously donated leadership to the campaign as chairpersons.
Brian Dreier and his wife Dana are 1989 graduates of QND and both received their bachelor degrees from Rockhurst University in 1993. Brian is currently the Employee Benefit Director at Winters Insurance Group in Quincy. They are members of St. Francis Solanus Church and have three daughters, Emily ’17, Hannah ’20 and Grace, a current QND senior.
“QND is a tremendous faith based secondary education. The experience produces a lifelong community of people who believe in a shared mission,” states Dreier. “This community and its ability to raise money through initiatives like the QND Fund Drive helps curb the cost of education for future generations. Fortunately, QND has been growing this community for over 155 years. Our goal, with your support, is to expand this tradition of giving for generations to come.”
Dr. Jason Knuffman is a 1993 graduate of QND, a 1997 graduate of Saint Louis University and a 2001 graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is an allergist at Quincy Medical Group and currently serves as the QND girls golf head coach. He is married to Rebecca, a 1996 graduate of Whitefish Bay High School in Wisconsin. They are members of St. Peter Church and have four daughters. Hana ’23 is an elementary education major at Illinois State University. Heidi, a QND junior, is an avid dancer at Kaiser Dance. Caroline, a QND freshman, is involved in band, choir and golf. Catherine is in 7th grade at St. Peter.
"QND has played an instrumental role in the academic and spiritual formation of not only myself and my daughters, but also countless friends and alumni,” says Knuffman. The mission of QND involves educating lifelong learners in the setting of the Catholic tradition of service to others. The current QND leadership, faculty, and staff exemplify these qualities on a very high level. Along with Brian Dreier, I am simultaneously humbled and proud to receive the opportunity to co-chair this year’s Fund Drive. Together we will thrive into the future!”
In addition to the leadership of Dreier and Knuffman, QND’s Fund Drive will be supported by many volunteers throughout the drive.
The 2024 Fund Drive leaders are comprised of:
- LB Cornwell ’15, Financial Advisor, Stifel Financial
- Brady Frericks ’07, Vice President Commercial Relationship Manager, Homebank
- Will Meckes ’06, Partner, Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu and Mitchell LLP
- Jeremy Mefford ’06, Financial Advisor, First Investment Services a division of First Bankers Trust
- Hannah Cramsey ’12, Senior Wellness Coordinator, Wellworks For You
- Jake Scholz ’00, Attorney, Scholz & Scholz LLP
- Lucas Frageman ’03, Insurance Broker, McGinnis Insurance
- Laura Rheinecker ’03, Laura Rheinecker Photography
- Curt Wavering ’97, Civil/Site Senior Engineer, Klingner & Associates
The QND Fund Drive is managed by the QND Foundation which was founded in 1968. The QND Fund Drive was established in 1977. Gifts to the QND Fund Drive may be donated throughout the entire calendar year. Gifts may be mailed to QND, completed online at QuincyNotreDame.org, or paid through PayPal or Venmo (@QND-Foundation).