Type 1 Diabetes
An autoimmune condition where the body stops producing insulin entirely. It isn't caused by diet or lifestyle, and it's managed, not cured, through daily insulin and monitoring.
Big impact starts in
small circles.
The Small Circles Foundation is a youth-driven awareness campaign for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, built to educate our communities and, in formal partnership with the Children's Diabetes Foundation, help fund real research and care at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes.
Proud community partner of the Children's Diabetes Foundation
0M+
Americans living with diabetes
0M
Adults with prediabetes or insulin resistance
0/5
Don't yet know they have it
Every school, every friend group, every family is a circle. String enough of them together and you get a movement.
Awareness is where change begins.
Small Circles Foundation started the way most good ideas do: with a handful of students who noticed how much confusion and stigma still surrounds diabetes and insulin resistance, even though it touches nearly every family in some way. We didn't want to wait until we were "qualified enough" to do something about it.
So we started small: one conversation, one classroom, one social post at a time. That's still how we operate. We're not doctors, and we never pretend to be. We're organizers, communicators, and connectors who believe clear information and real community support save lives alongside good medicine.
How your support moves
- 01You give, through the Foundation or our fundraisers.
- 02We direct funds to the Children's Diabetes Foundation, our formal partner.
- 03CDF channels support to the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes for research and care.
What we are (and aren't). We focus on education,
awareness, and community fundraising. We don't diagnose, treat, or
give medical advice, and we never collect private health information.
For anything personal, please talk to a licensed healthcare provider.
Diabetes, explained simply.
No jargon, no fear-mongering. Just the basics everyone deserves to understand, whether it affects you, a friend, or someone you haven't met yet.
Type 2 Diabetes
The body still makes insulin but can't use it effectively. It develops gradually and is shaped by a mix of genetics, environment, and daily habits, often more preventable and manageable than people think.
Insulin Resistance
Often the quiet stage before Type 2, cells stop responding to insulin the way they should. It's common, frequently reversible, and rarely talked about outside a doctor's office.
Nutrition & Blood Sugar
Food isn't the enemy. Understanding how meals affect blood sugar helps everyone make informed choices, with or without a diagnosis.
Spotting the Warning Signs
Constant thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing cuts: knowing the early signals means people get diagnosed sooner, not later.
Breaking the Stigma
Diabetes is not a personal failure. Language and assumptions matter. We work to replace judgment with understanding.
Sources include the CDC's National Diabetes Statistics Report and guidance from the Children's Diabetes Foundation. This page is for general education only and is not medical advice.
There's a place for you in this circle.
Whether you've got twenty minutes a week or want to help run the whole thing, pick the path that fits.
No experience needed. Members get volunteer opportunities, online or in person, and help spread accurate information where they live.
Application sent
We've got it. Welcome to the circle, we'll follow up soon.
Officers help run Small Circles, from content and design to research and outreach. Open to current members.
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A chapter is just a small group running Small Circles at your own school. We give you the tools. You make it happen locally.
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We've got it. We'll be in touch about next steps.
Bring Small Circles to your school.
It doesn't take many people. One to three students is enough to start. We hand you the content, the graphics, and the playbook. You bring the local energy.
- 01Get a few people together. Someone leads, the rest pitch in.
- 02Grab the toolkit. We send ready-to-go graphics, facts, and talking points.
- 03Make it yours. Posters, a lunch table, a quick club talk: whatever fits your school.
- 04Get it out there. Share what you did and tag us so we can amplify it.
- 05Tell us how it went. Great for service hours and college applications, too.
1-3
students is enough to launch a chapter
100%
of content and graphics provided for you
5
simple steps from idea to impact
Every donation completes the circle.
We don't keep a cent. Every dollar given to the Small Circles Foundation is directed to our formal partner, the Children's Diabetes Foundation, which channels support to the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, funding real research and real care.
Give on GoFundMe
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Find us here
Instagram@thesmallcirclesfoundation Emailthesmallcirclesfoundation@gmail.comPlease don't share private medical information here. For anything personal, talk to a licensed healthcare provider.
Questions, ideas, partnerships: let's talk.
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Handbooks & hour logging.
Reference material for current officers, chapter leads, and members logging volunteer time.
What every officer does
Officers help run Small Circles behind the scenes. Every officer is expected to get assigned work done on time, communicate if life gets busy, keep information accurate, and never give medical advice.
Roles
Social Media: plans and posts content, responds to DMs.
Research & Fact-Checking: verifies every fact against credible sources like the CDC before it's published.
Outreach & Partnerships: represents Small Circles professionally to schools and organizations.
General Team Member: flexible support across all areas.
Losing a position
We check in first and always give a clear chance to get back on track before anyone loses a role. Losing an officer position never means you're out. You're always welcome to stay on as a member.
Becoming an official chapter
Be a member first, apply through our chapter application, and once approved you're officially recognized. Only then can you publicly call yourselves a Small Circles chapter.
Running your chapter
Stay active each month, follow our brand and content guidelines, keep health information accurate, and check with us before any partnerships, fundraising, or events done in Small Circles' name.
Losing chapter status
We'll always talk to you first if a chapter goes inactive. Status may be revoked if a chapter shares false health information or acts in our name without approval.
Logged hours come straight to our team. Thank you for the work you're putting in.
Hours logged
We've got it. Thanks for the work you're putting in.