Join us November 14, 2026!

JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF MAKING BIG THINGS HAPPEN!

The BIG Event is our yearly signature event and this year we are celebrating 40 years! It’s our opportunity to showcase the previous year’s grant recipients, award grants for the current year and show the community the power of innovation and creativity in our school system. This milestone year promises an unforgettable evening filled with inspiring stories, vibrant company, exciting raffles, and dynamic auctions, all in honor of four decades of empowering students and educators.

For 40 years, the EXCEL Foundation has championed bold and innovative classroom projects in Coeur d’Alene School District 271, such as virtual reality, environmental science and creative arts and music. These projects would not be funded with ongoing school maintenance dollars. These grants are meant to improve the learning experience of students and encourage teachers with creative approaches to education. Grants are not awarded based on particular areas of emphasis. Instead, the EXCEL Board seeks unique and inventive ideas which will increase a student’s motivation to learn, while developing higher level thinking skills and depth of knowledge.

“EXCEL FOUNDATION, INC. is a broadly-based, non-profit community organization whose purpose is exclusively educational and charitable, and is to secure and distribute contributions from individuals, corporations, governmental agencies, and foundations for the benefit of the students in the Coeur d’Alene School District 271."