By: Community Shares of Wisconsin
Community Shares of Wisconsin is a vibrant collaborative community of local nonprofit organizations that addresses social, economic, and environmental problems through grassroots activities, advocacy, research, and public education. When you “CHIP” at the Willy Street Co-op, 100% of your donation goes to Community Shares of Wisconsin to support local nonprofits.
On November 19, Community Shares of Wisconsin added 16 nonprofits to our membership, bringing the total number of member nonprofits to 82. The new member nonprofits of Community Shares of Wisconsin are 350 Wisconsin, Access to Independence, Bikes for Kids Wisconsin, Black Men Coalition Foundation, Bridge Builders, Community Immigration Law Center (CILC), Healthy Climate Wisconsin, Kennedy Heights Community Center, Madison Worker Cooperatives (MadWorC), Maydm, Movin’ Out, Inc., Open Doors for Refugees, Root 2 Rise, Wisconsin EcoLatinos, Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, and YWCA Madison.
These nonprofits join the other member nonprofits of Community Shares of Wisconsin in working on essential issues like civil liberties, sustainability, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, healthy food and farms, criminal justice reform, affordable housing, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
If you would like to support these nonprofits, just say “yes” when the cashier asks if you want to “CHIP.” You can also “CHIP” when using self-checkout. The Co-op collects your donation and gives 100% of the money to Community Shares of Wisconsin, which distributes the donation equitably among our member nonprofits while also providing training and technical support for those nonprofits.
Community Shares of Wisconsin knows that at a time when nonprofits are under attack, bold action is required. To further advance the local social justice and environmental justice movements, Community Shares of Wisconsin proudly took the bold action of increasing membership significantly.
“Community Shares of Wisconsin’s power comes from our member nonprofits and our collective networks,” said Cheri Dubiel, Executive Director of Community Shares of Wisconsin. “Building that power and that network through additional member nonprofits increases the support all of our member nonprofits receive and ultimately the support they can provide to our community.”
Community Shares of Wisconsin is cooperatively run, and every member nonprofit has a seat on the board and a voice in how the organization is operated. Member nonprofits are part of a community where organizations support each other, gain a broader perspective on change, and are part of something bigger while working toward the common good.
“When deciding to add more nonprofits to our membership, we decided to open our arms as widely as we could to support as many local nonprofits as possible” said Hedi Rudd, Membership Chair at Community Shares of Wisconsin. “Since 2018, when we last opened our membership, we have adapted our membership requirements to make membership more accessible to nonprofits that meet our values rather than focusing on external fundraising requirements. This has led Community Shares to become a more inclusive organization that is more effective at addressing today’s issues.”
The member nonprofits of Community Shares of Wisconsin receive access to exclusive fundraising opportunities, capacity building, networking, and collaboration opportunities with like-minded organizations. Fundraising opportunities include The Big Share® (which has raised over $5.7 million since 2015), the Community CHIP® program at Willy Street Co-op (which has raised over $5 million since 1978), and a “share” of excess funds raised by Community Shares of Wisconsin each year. Member nonprofits can also participate in the Backyard Heroes program that highlights member volunteers and the annual Community Change-Maker Awards that honors local leaders and organizations. Member nonprofits receive training in marketing, operations, management, member recruitment, and more to help build fundraising capacity and expand each member nonprofit’s reach.
In addition to donating through the Community CHIP program at Willy Street Co-op, you can support the member nonprofits of Community Shares of Wisconsin through a donation during The Big Share, our annual online day of giving on March 3, 2026.
You can learn more about Community Shares of Wisconsin at communityshares.com.
Photo Courtesy: Wisconsin Women’s Network
