2026 Community Giving Circle

Join us for the 5th Anniversary Community Giving Circle Event on March 31, 2026 at 6:00pm!

This year marks the 5th Anniversary of the Community Giving Circle, and we’re celebrating in a big way, at a brand-new venue with room to welcome more community members than ever before. We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone year alongside our generous co-hosts, StoneBriar Farm and Morgan and Dan Kuchynka, whose support and belief in our schools and community make this evening possible. Their shared commitment reflects the heart of what the Community Giving Circle is all about.

The Community Giving Circle brings together neighbors, educators, and supporters to learn about educator-driven ideas happening across USD 232, and to collectively decide which our our three finalist's project will receive funding that night.

Last year, your generosity helped bring the Bike Safety and Rules of the Road project to life, impacting students across our community. This year’s finalists will be announced soon, and we can’t wait to share the inspiring ideas under consideration.

After reviewing six strong applications from across the district, the Giving Circle Committee selected the following projects to present at this year’s event:

2026 Community Giving Circle Finalists

USD 232 Bird & Urban Ecology Program
Brennan Flanagan – Mill Creek Middle School

Firing Creativity: Elevating Hands-On Learning in DHS Ceramics
Celine Sengvilay Oliveira – De Soto High School

Early Childhood Library
Deborah Ricker – USD 232 Early Childhood

Each finalist will share their vision in person, and Giving Circle members will vote that evening to award a $10,000 high-impact grant to one of these projects.

Giving Circle members donate a minimum of $100 per person, and these donations are pooled to provide a high-impact grant to USD 232 educators whose innovative idea leverages community resources to enhance educational excellence in their classroom or in their school.

At the gathering, members hear the top three proposals that have been submitted from around the district, and then vote that evening to provide a $10,000 grant to fund one of the finalist projects.

For more information about the Community Giving Circle, click HERE or email us at info@usd232ef.org

We hope you’ll be part of this milestone night!

Please note: Attendees must be at least 21 years old.