America@250

Grants

Learn about and apply for $500 grants to host Community Conversations around themes from the American Revolution Era—freedom, democracy, and service—that still resonate today.

Apply for a Community Conversation Grant

PBS Wisconsin and America@250 partners are providing $500 grants and additional resources to 15 awardees in support of intentionally diverse (e.g. culturally/ethnically, interfaith, civilian/military) Community Conversations across the state (grant recipients required to attend Facilitation Training: see above).

Individuals and community groups are welcome to apply for a grant to host a Community Conversation. The grant application window opens on this web page beginning October 16, 2025, and closes December 17, 2025. Grant winners will be announced January 19, 2026. Grant funds can be applied at awardees discretion as long as funds are used in service of at least one Community Conversation held before July 4, 2026.

In addition to $500, grant awardees will be provided with modules featuring video clips from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION for group viewing along with printed copies of thoughtful questions and other resources to support a successful Community Conversation.

Grant Application Details

The goal of an America@250 Community Conversation is to unpack assumptions, values, and commitments, learn what others think, and find new connections with one another. The ideal size for a successful Community Conversation is around 20 participants. Grant-funded Community Conversations must be free, accessible, and welcoming to all. Grantees may not charge anyone to participate in a Community Conversation.

Release of grant funds to awardees is conditional on completion of one (1) 90-minute PBS Wisconsin-hosted Facilitator Training session in February 2026. Grant awardees who do not attend a Facilitator Training session will forfeit their funds and nullify their application. Grant awardees are also required to complete a follow up survey no less than thirty (30) days upon completion of their Community Conversation.

Application is open to any current Wisconsin resident age 18 or older. Employees of the Universities of Wisconsin are not eligible to apply. Wisconsin Public Media retains sole discretion in determining whether or not applications are eligible. An application review team from PBS Wisconsin will score applications on the following criteria:

  • How are you diversifying your Community Conversation group?
  • How will you use your funding to support your Community Conversation?
  • Additional information provided by grantee

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.