America@250

There is something truly American about having a conversation with your neighbors. That’s why PBS Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Radio and America@250 Initiative partners are pleased to share the following free and accessible Community Conversation resources to help you connect and reflect during the run up to — and beyond — America’s 250th anniversary.

COMING FEBRUARY 4, 2026 – Community Conversation Modules

Beginning February 4, 2026, you can download Community Conversation modules directly from this web page. Community Conversation modules feature video clips from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION for group viewing along with thoughtful questions and other resources for small group discussion and civic engagement.

The goal of a Community Conversation is to connect with others in your community, to listen to and consider their perspectives and values, and reflect on how these align with or differ from your own. The mark of a successful conversation is that participants are engaged and sharing their thoughts and experiences. Multiple thematic modules will be provided for Community Conversation groups to choose from:

  • Our American Story
  • Spirit of Service
  • Faith and Freedom
  • Military History
  • Voices and Visions

Community Conversation Facilitator Training

For those facilitating America@250 Community Conversations using our modules, we are offering free, online Community Conversation facilitator training sessions with Urban Rural Action, a national organization that brings Americans together across divides to tackle our country’s most urgent challenges.

During the two 90-minute facilitator training (dates/times TBD), Urban Rural Action instructors will guide session participants through the basics of facilitating small group conversations with an emphasis on listening and understanding differing perspectives and creating space for the fruitful exchange of opinions and ideas.

Facilitators can register for one of two Zoom-based facilitation training sessions hosted by PBS Wisconsin and Urban Rural Action. Please check back here for facilitator training session dates/times or fill out this form to be notified when session registration opens.

Community Conversation Grants

The application window for $500 Community Conversation grants is now closed, and grant applications are under review. All grant applicants will receive notification of their application status no later than January 19, 2026, when awardee names and/or organizations will be posted to our Grants page and announced to the public.

NOTE: Everyone is welcome to use the downloadable clips from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION and discussion modules and to take the facilitation training in support of their own America@250 Community Conversation, whether you received a grant or not. These resources were created to be shared with the public.

Funding for 'The American Revolution'

Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.