Ralston Community Foundation Fund

The Ralston Community Foundation Fund is dedicated to progress and long-term prosperity. A volunteer Fund Advisory Committee works actively to increase charitable giving and award grants to local worthy causes and projects that are addressing emerging needs and future opportunities in our community.

Creating a Legacy

The Ralston Community Foundation Fund holds accounts that honor the legacy of Ralston High School alumni, students, educators and community members.

Hal E. Kronberg Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Named in memory of Hal E. Kronberg, this endowed scholarship for academically talented graduating seniors was established at Ralston High School by Hal’s parents, Wendell and Joyce Kronberg. They created this scholarship following their son’s unexpected death during his senior year. Hal was known as an outstanding student who excelled in wrestling, football, band and choir. He was elected to National Honor Society his junior year. As a senior, he was a finalist for the Outstanding Boy Teen of the Year awarded by the Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more.

LaDonna R. Johnson Legacy Grant Endowment

A piano teacher’s generosity and love for her community is forever changing the landscape of downtown Ralston. Established with a $7.5 million dollar gift from longtime Ralston resident, the late LaDonna R. Johnson, the Ralston Community Foundation Fund was entrusted with her charitable donation that will provide momentum to fuel the community’s longtime revitalization initiative, better known as the Hinge Project.

The Hinge Project will work to establish a distinct identity for the community located just nine miles southwest of Omaha. The idea came out of the city’s 10-year comprehensive plan and will include strategies to create a more vibrant and attractive downtown like filling empty businesses, creating more housing options and mixed-use developments, entertainment and dining areas, and new amenities for both Ralston residents and visitors to the community.

“LaDonna’s legacy will live on forever through her generosity and her belief in the future of Ralston,” said Bill Haas, FAC chair. “This is a gamechanger for our community.” Learn more.

Mickey Looney Team Spirit Endowed Scholarship

Mickey Looney represented the heart and soul of our teams and Ralston as a community. Mickey was a giver of his best to help others be at their best. This scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who most exemplify Mickey’s character in their academic studies and co-curricular activities, such as sports, music, school clubs, or school projects, especially his strong and enduring commitment to helping others excel at Ralston High School. The monies the recipient receives from this scholarship will help support their higher education studies, an opportunity that was not available to Mickey due to his untimely death. Learn more.

Harry Weichel Endowed Scholarship for Educators

As an educator, Mr. Weichel was genuinely interested in students’ and colleagues’ lives, their growth, and achievements. He continually sought input on how Ralston schools could best serve everyone’s development as community-minded citizens, valued employees, and family members. When connecting with others, his positive and appreciative spirit lifted others up. His humble, lifelong commitment to service beyond self is an example for Ralston educators. This scholarship is awarded to Ralston Public Schools educators who demonstrate unwavering service to others and outreach within the community. The scholarship will help support their post graduate studies. Learn more.

RAM Forever STEM Endowed Scholarship

John H. Gamble, a Ralston High School graduate and his wife, Yvonne, established an endowed scholarship in memory of his parents, Tess and Vale Gamble for graduating seniors pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).  Dr. Gamble has previously contributed to the creation and funding of other endowed scholarships and legacy grants. He believes in and supports more educational opportunities for students, like the societal and economic impacts STEM education provides and wants to connect graduating seniors to those opportunities. Learn more.

RAM Forever Personal Finance Grant Endowment

In memory of Carl W. Amende a personal finance grant endowment for students in Ralston Public Schools was established by his grandson, John H. Gamble, a Ralston High School graduate and his wife, Yvonne. His grandfather studied at Peru State College and Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

To benefit students, this grant focuses on financial literacy and instilling the values of money management, such as budgeting, major purchases, cash flow, financial security, loans, debt, credit, taxes, insurance, savings, investing through a fiduciary, and developing a personal financial action plan. Learn more.

RAM Forever Stepping Stones Endowed Scholarship

Identifying career pathways prior to graduation has the potential to expedite a student’s matriculation into higher education. Ralston High School graduate John H. Gamble and his wife, Yvonne, established a stepping stones endowed scholarship.  In partnership with the Foundation, funds are provided each fall and spring semester to cover costs for dual-credit courses and Advanced Placement (AP) exam fees.  Having those completed programs on a student’s transcript shows colleges and universities they are motivated to succeed by undertaking and completing college-level work. Learn more.

Bob Mackie Leadership Grant Endowment

In honor of Coach Mackie, a Leadership and Character Development Grant has been established for student-athletes in Ralston Public Schools. Coach and three RHS alumni, Scott Houston, Ralph Looney, and John H. Gamble endowed his Leadership Grant for student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship.  As role models, these student-athletes can employ the tools acquired from this Grant in a positive, interactive way with other students and beyond.  This grant will focus on instilling the values Coach Mackie emphasized, such as teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and integrity.  Learn more.

RAM Tennis Forever Grant Endowment

This endowment will make tennis grants available to benefit K-12 students at Ralston Public Schools and the Ralston community. Coaches can apply for grants so they can be awarded to individual students or qualifying programs benefiting groups of students and adults. For many, it will encourage them to participate with fewer financial constraints. The tennis grant will focus on instilling the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, swing mechanics, footwork, strategies and tactics, continual improvement, and health benefits. Grants support students throughout the school year as funds become available. Learn more.

Jerry Chalupa Legacy of Music Endowed Scholarship

Jerry Chalupa’s life as a music educator was marked by a consistent commitment to his students and the communities he served.  He taught at Ralston High School for 20 years, shaping the lives of countless students.  His influence was not limited to the classroom.  Many former students, as well as students who did not participate in band, recall him not only as an outstanding music teacher but also as a mentor and friend who instilled in them values of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of supporting one another.  Annually, his scholarship is awarded to multiple graduating seniors pursuing an undergraduate program of study in music as a major or minor in music education, performance, or composition.  Learn more.