Community Shares WI

Meet like-minded folks, learn something new, and plug into work that matters with our member nonprofits this May. 💚

Thanks to the generosity of people like you, The Big Share® 2026 raised over $920,000 for Community Shares of Wisconsin and our 82 member nonprofits! This is the most we’ve ever raised for #CSWBigShare in 12 years of the event. 💚 At a time when our values and democracy are under attack, more than 5,100 people in our community took bold action by donating during The Big Share. Their donations are an investment in local nonprofits that are challenging systems, holding decision-makers accountable, and keeping democracy alive. Since 2015, The Big Share has raised over $6.5 million for the member nonprofits of Community Shares of Wisconsin. If you didn’t have a chance to give, you can still make a donation until midnight tonight (March 10) at thebigshare.org

Behind every movement for change are people and organizations doing the work every day. Community Shares of Wisconsin is proud to celebrate those advancing social and environmental justice across our community at the annual Community Change-Maker Awards at the East Side Club on Thursday, September 17. Save the date—more details coming soon. Image description: A green calendar highlights the Community Change-Maker Awards on Thursday, September 17, circled in red marker.

From coding to engineering, summer is a chance to build skills that last far beyond the classroom. Member nonprofit @maydmtech 's Summer Programs are now open for students in grades 6–12, offering hands-on experiences in coding, engineering, design, and more.⠀ ⠀ Each program is designed to help girls and youth of color gain the skills, confidence, and connections to explore future careers in STEM—all while having fun and creating alongside peers.⠀ ⠀ Every program offers something a little different, so families can explore the options and find the best fit for their student. Registration is now open at /current-catalog

A lot can happen in a week. Here's a look at the latest news and accomplishments from our member nonprofits working toward a more sustainable and equitable future. 🗞️

This month’s hero is Deirdre Garton, a board member for @rootedwi since 2014. Deirdre has decades of experience protecting youth and families in Dane County. In her career, Deirdre served as Deputy District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney in the Dane County Juvenile Division, where she helped to develop a victim compensation program and led a work group to explore the development of a child advocacy center in Dane County to reduce the trauma of child abuse investigations on children and their families.⠀ ⠀ Deirdre’s passion for the welfare of youth and families continues through her work with Rooted, an organization that works to grow community together, serving youth and families by providing access to urban agriculture education, community spaces, and land to grow food. Deirdre recently held a fundraiser dinner that was a wonderful farm-to-table experience featuring food from Rooted’s Troy Farm and Badger Rock Urban Farm. Rooted is grateful for Deirdre’s wisdom, guidance, and joyful encouragement.⠀ ⠀ Thank you, Deirdre! ⠀ Deirdre also serves the community on other boards, including the Wilson Foundation and Ten Chimneys Foundation. She has been involved with capital campaigns for RISE Wisconsin and the Overture Center. She is the co-owner of Quivey’s Grove, a local restaurant serving the community for over 45 years. In 2025, both Rooted and Quivey’s Grove were recipients of the City of Fitchburg Mayoral Award.⠀ ⠀ Rooted’s mission is to grow community-led, sustainable food systems through food production, land access, and urban agriculture education. Rooted partners with 12 Madison schools to provide hands-on agriculture education to youth, distributes thousands of pounds of food to local neighborhood centers and food pantries, supports community gardens and collaborative farm gardens throughout Dane County, and hosts in-person and virtual community events free of charge throughout the Madison area. Rooted operates Troy Farm, Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, and the Community Gardens Network of Dane County, in addition to a year-round youth employment program.

In solidarity with immigrant communities and workers nationwide, Community Shares of Wisconsin will close our office on Friday at noon so staff may participate in A Day Without Immigrants in Madison on #MayDay. We invite our member nonprofits, partners, supporters, and community members to join @vocesdelafronterawi for this National Day of Solidarity and Action on Friday, May 1. 📍 Library Mall, 715 State Street 🕛 Gathering begins at noon 🚶 March to the Capitol at 1 p.m. 📣 Rally at the State Capitol at 2 p.m. Together, we stand for dignity, justice, and due process for immigrant families. Find more information for actions in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Racine at vdlf.org.

Member nonprofit @bikesforkidswi is marking an incredible milestone: 1,200 bikes given to kids and adults across the state this year! From donated bikes to volunteer refurbishing to hands-on bike education, they're putting their mission into motion—expanding access to bicycle transportation and supporting mobility, health, and opportunity in underserved communities. 💚

#SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth is a time to reaffirm our support for survivors and reassert our shared responsibility to create safer, more compassionate communities. Too many people still face violence, stigma, and barriers to healing, reminding us that sexual violence is not an individual issue but a collective one. By showing up for survivors, fostering honest conversations, and committing to prevention, we move closer to communities rooted in accountability and respect. We encourage everyone to work toward a future where sexual violence is no longer tolerated and survivors are supported with the care and justice they deserve. Together, we can foster cultures of consent, accountability, and understanding. 💚 Donate to organizations like @rapecrisisdane , @endabusewi , @freedominc , @unidoswi , and @wcasa_ who believe survivors, advocate for change, and create a path toward healing and justice.

Care should never add to trauma.⠀ ⠀ @rapecrisisdane is creating new pathways for survivors to access confidential forensic exams outside of traditional medical settings that prioritize choice, dignity, and healing.⠀ ⠀ Learn how community partnerships are making survivor-centered care more accessible than ever at captimes.com.

Today, on Trans Day of Visibility, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and joy of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people in our communities. Every trans person deserves to be seen, valued, and supported exactly as they are. Trans people continue to shape our communities through creativity, leadership, care, and courage, and today is a reminder to honor those contributions and uplift one another.⠀ ⠀ At the same time, visibility alone is not enough. Trans people continue to face disproportionate barriers to safety, healthcare, housing, and employment—challenges rooted in longstanding systemic inequities. Across the state and country, we are witnessing an increase in anti-trans rhetoric and legislation that threatens the dignity, autonomy, and wellbeing of trans communities.⠀ ⠀ Yet even in the face of these challenges, trans communities continue to build connection, advocate for justice, and create spaces of belonging and hope. Today is not only about recognizing harm, but about affirming a future grounded in equity, compassion, and collective care. We stand in solidarity with transgender people everywhere to celebrate their lives, defend their rights, and work toward a world where everyone can live openly, safely, and with pride.⠀ ⠀ We encourage everyone to uplift trans voices, advocate for policies that protect trans rights, and support local nonprofits doing critical work to ensure equity and justice for all. Donate to organizations like @fair_wisconsin , @freedominc , @gsafe , Orgullo Latinx LGBT+ of Dane County, @outreachlgbtqmadison , and @wislgbtqhistory who challenge anti-trans rhetoric, and create spaces where trans people are affirmed and celebrated. To our trans community members: we see you, we honor you, and we will always stand with you. 🏳️‍⚧️⠀

Member nonprofit @kidsforward expresses concerns about proposed SNAP restrictions and why addressing hunger requires more than limiting what people can buy. Learn how this legislation could shape FoodShare access across Wisconsin. 👉 Read more at wpr.org.