Community Shares of Wisconsin

08/25/2026

Mikayla Sandin has an unwavering commitment to advancing equity and justice for Indigenous communities and survivors of violence. As a Sexual Assault Advocate at Dane County RCC, she leads and mentors a team of advocates serving UW–Madison, ensures survivors receive compassionate, survivor-centered support, and has been instrumental in expanding access to culturally responsive services for Indigenous survivors. Her work addresses systemic barriers that impact Indigenous survivors’ access to safety, support, and justice. Recently, she organized a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) workshop, creating space for connection, support, and dialogue around violence impacting Indigenous communities. In addition, she collaborates with sexual and domestic violence service providers statewide to increase awareness and advance advocacy efforts. Through her work, The RCC has increased visibility of Indigenous issues and continues to support meaningful change for survivors.

At a time when many organizations are shying away from diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social justice issues, Community Shares of Wisconsin and its 80 member nonprofits are proud to honor leaders who champion these causes and continue to do what is right. Join us in honoring local leaders and organizations who are advancing social and environmental justice in our community at the 2026 Change-Maker Awards, presented by UW Credit Union. Get your tickets today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-community-change-maker-awards

Image description: Reads Mikayla Sandin Winner of the Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award nominated by RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center. A portrait of Mikayla smiling appears in the middle. Below, it reads Award sponsored by Ascendium Education Group. The Community Change-Maker Awards logo is in the bottom right corner.

08/24/2026

Member nonprofit Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council is concerned about the impact of potential federal funding disruptions on rural and small communities, where older housing stock, accessibility challenges, and discrimination affecting communities of color can be overlooked. As the only private fair housing organization in Wisconsin conducting housing discrimination tests, the council plays a unique role in identifying and addressing discrimination that may otherwise go unreported.

The organization handles roughly 250 complaints each year while also reaching thousands through education and outreach—helping renters and housing providers recognize subtle forms of discrimination and understand their rights and responsibilities.

08/19/2026

We are delighted to share that Movin' Out Board of Directors president David Scribbins will receive the Back Yard Heroes award at the annual Community Change-Maker Awards, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on September 17 at The East Side Club.

The Change-Maker Awards celebrates local leaders and organizations who are advancing social and environmental justice in our community.

Join Movin' Out and Community Shares of Wisconsin for this uplifting annual event. Ticket proceeds help CSW support member nonprofits.

Thank you to UW Credit Union for sponsoring this event.

Tickets are available now at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-community-change-maker-awards

08/19/2026

For Julie Andersen and Steve Greb, supporting social justice and a clean environment has been a lifelong commitment. Now, they’re making sure that commitment continues for generations to come by including Community Shares of Wisconsin in their will.

“I've been connected with Community Shares in a variety of ways for more than three decades… Including CSW in our will feels like a powerful way to continue strengthening all of these organizations way beyond our lifetimes.”

During , consider how you can make a lasting impact by including CSW in your will. A legacy gift can help sustain the work of the 81 local nonprofits in the Community Shares network for years to come. 💚

Image descriptions: A selfie of Julie Anderson and Steve Greb smiling in front of a waterfall. A green graphic reads: August is National Make a Will Month "We've been connected with Community Shares in a variety of ways for more than three decades and we value their work in supporting and advancing their member organizations that are crucial to our local and statewide communities. Including CSW in our will feels like a powerful way to continue strengthening all of these organizations way beyond our lifetimes.”
—Julie Andersen & Steve Greb

08/18/2026

Tune in tomorrow morning for another Wednesdays with WORT FM!

Every third Wednesday at 8 a.m., a Community Shares of Wisconsin member nonprofit joins Jan Miyasaki on WORT FM’s “8 O’Clock Buzz” to share more about their work and the impact they’re making in our community.

Tomorrow, Bikes for Kids Wisconsin is taking the mic! They’ll talk about their mission, current initiatives and upcoming events.

Listen live at 89.9 FM in the Madison area or stream at wortfm.org. If you can’t tune in, you can always find past interviews at communityshares.com/wednesdays-with-wort/.

08/17/2026

Midwest Environmental Advocates is working to bring greater clarity to a fundamental question: Who has the right to access Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan shoreline?

MEA is challenging the application of century-old legal precedent and advocating for a clearer understanding of Wisconsin’s public trust doctrine. The goal is to protect the public’s ability to access and enjoy Great Lakes shorelines.

Shorewood resident's appeal over Atwater Beach access could clarify where the public may legally walk along Lake Michigan’s shoreline.

08/12/2026

Monique Minkens embodies the essence of exceptional leadership and working at the grassroots level for social change. She is also the first Black Executive Director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. Her work centering anti-oppression and structural change to combat domestic violence has added terrific value to the organization’s work. Monique has also demonstrated her strong leadership by steering End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin through the recent changes in federal grant funding requirements and leading the organization to participate in a national lawsuit that has enabled End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin and coalition members to continue to serve immigrant and LGBTQ+ individuals. Through this joint lawsuit and work with sister coalitions, the entire national network of providers continues to serve the most vulnerable populations.

At a time when many organizations are shying away from diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social justice issues, Community Shares of Wisconsin and its 81 member nonprofits are proud to honor leaders who champion these causes and continue to do what is right. Join us in honoring local leaders and organizations who are advancing social and environmental justice in our community at the 2026 Change-Maker Awards, presented by UW Credit Union. Get your tickets today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-community-change-maker-awards

Image description: Reads Monique Minkens Winner of the Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award nominated by End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. A portrait of Monique smiling appears in the middle. Below, it reads Award sponsored by Wegner CPAs. The Community Change-Maker Awards logo is in the bottom right corner.

together we transform Our Community CSW welcomes 16 new member nonprofits. Learn more. Community Change-Maker Awards Join us for the annual Community Change-Maker Awards at The East Side Club on September 17 as we celebrate local leaders and organizations who are advancing social and environmental j...

08/11/2026

TODAY is Election Day! Time to get out and VOTE. Make sure you visit vote411.org for all the resources you need to know what’s on your ballot, learn about the candidates, and get your personalized voter guide so you have everything you need to be an informed voter.

08/06/2026

On September 17, Community Shares of Wisconsin will celebrate local leaders and organizations who are advancing social and environmental justice in our community. Join us and CSW for the annual Community Change-Maker Awards at The East Side Club. Ticket proceeds help award six nonprofits $1,000 each.

Thank you to UW Credit Union for sponsoring this event.

Tickets are available now at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-community-change-maker-awards

📸: Dynae Allice Photography

08/04/2026

Kids Forward is helping track and explain how new federal food assistance requirements are affecting Wisconsin families. William Parke-Sutherland, government affairs director at Kids Forward, noted that while an estimated 24,000–33,000 fewer Wisconsinites are receiving SNAP benefits since new work and paperwork requirements took effect, Wisconsin has seen a smaller decline than many other states because of state-level efforts to help address the changes.

Kids Forward continues advocating for policies that protect Wisconsin children and families, while helping communities understand how changes to programs like SNAP and Medicaid may impact access to food, healthcare, and economic stability.

The One Big Beautiful Bill passed last year by President Donald Trump and Republicans is the largest cut to healthcare and food aid in the nation’s history, advocates say. Food pantries are seeing a noticeable jump in need.