Grants support 25 inclusive Community Conversations events across the state exploring our shared history and the future of democracy

As we approach the 250th anniversary of our country, PBS Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) and partners are hosting an initiative that provides opportunities for Wisconsinites to connect and reflect in communities across the state to discuss our shared history and the future of democracy.

This America@250 Initiative is inspired by THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a documentary series on America’s founding struggle produced by Florentine Films and WETA Washington, DC, and directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt.

As part of the America@250 Initiative, PBS Wisconsin and WPR invited Wisconsinites to apply for $500 grants to host Community Conversations designed to bring people together in thoughtful dialogue around themes from the Revolutionary War era — freedom, democracy and service — that still resonate today.

PBS Wisconsin and WPR are pleased to announce the following Community Conversations grant recipients:

Amery Area Public Library; Augusta Memorial Public Library; Bay View Neighborhood Association; Burlington Public Library; Community Conversation Gathering (Eagle River); Daughters of the American Revolution, Eau Claire Chapter; Germantown Community Coalition; Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism; Lake Geneva Public Library; Madison Resident and Community Leader; Milwaukee Public Library; Necedah Area School District; North Shore Library (Bayside); Open Waters Spiritual Community (Washburn); Oregon Area Historical Society; Oshkosh Public Library; Pioneer Village Museum (Cameron); Spooner Memorial Library; The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums (Platteville); Tomahawk Public Library; VFW Auxiliary to William "Sonny" Simon Post 8216; Vernon County Historical Society (Viroqua); Wausaukee Public Library; West Bend Library; and Zion Episcopal Church (Oconomowoc).

PBS Wisconsin and partners will provide facilitation training and other guidance to promote safe, inclusive and fruitful Community Conversations across the state. Community Conversations will take place across the state in the run-up to and beyond July 4, 2026.

“We are thrilled by the community response to this opportunity,” said PBS Wisconsin Director of Television Jon Miskowski. “Thanks to a generous friend of PBS Wisconsin, we are now able to nearly double the number of grants to community groups, and we've increased the number of facilitation trainings to meet the strong interest from all over Wisconsin.”

Additionally, anyone, whether or not they have received a $500 grant in support of an America@250 Community Conversation, is welcome to use the provided clips from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, discussion modules and other resources to host their own America@250 Community Conversation. These resources will be available at pbswisconsin.org/america-250/discuss beginning Feb. 4, 2026.

PBS Wisconsin and WPR partnered with the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum to help engage as many people and perspectives as possible through this unique America@250 Initiative.

Find more information about the A250 Initiative at pbswisconsin.org/a250.

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.

PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) are services of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Wisconsin Public Media division and the Educational Communications Board. Together, they serve communities statewide through trusted journalism and Wisconsin storytelling, music, cultural programming, lifelong learning and educational resources — on air, online, and in person through live events, freely accessible to all and powered by community support. pbswisconsin.org

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