The proclamation recognizes Community Share’s 50 years of funding systemic change
On October 19, the City of Madison issued a proclamation recognizing Community Shares of Wisconsin’s 50th anniversary. Mayor Rhodes-Conway and the entire Common Council sponsored the proclamation.
Community Shares of Wisconsin is based in Madison and supports 70 local nonprofit member organizations that work for voting rights, healthy food systems, criminal justice reform, housing advocacy, environmental protection, and much more.
As the first social justice fund in the nation, Community Shares of Wisconsin takes a grassroots approach to charitable giving so philanthropy isn’t just for the wealthy. Community Shares of Wisconsin raises money for its member groups through workplace giving campaigns, The Big Share® annual day of giving, the Community CHIP® Program at the Willy Street Co-op, the Round Up Program at Capitol Centre Market, and through individual donations.
Proclamation from the City of Madison honoring Community Shares of Wisconsin
WHEREAS, Community Shares of Wisconsin is celebrating 50 years of bringing donors and nonprofits together to address social, economic, and environmental issues. Its member nonprofits are on the front lines in Dane County and throughout Wisconsin to protect our rights and build a safe and sustainable future for all of us. CSW founded in 1971 and originally known as Madison Sustaining Fund in 1971, started with anti-war protesters who originally raised funds to bail anti-war protesters out of jail; and
WHEREAS, Community Shares of Wisconsin started collected donations at local community co-ops originally called “People’s Tax.” In 1972, they started raising funds through public sector workplace giving campaigns. In 1988 Madison Sustaining Fund merged with Aid to Wisconsin Organizations and became known as Community Shares of Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, Community Shares of Wisconsin started supporting LGBTQI groups in 1980. Started supporting environmental groups in 1990. Started Inspiring Voices program, which targeted support of groups run by BIPOC community in 2016. Started the Big Share online giving day in 2015, which in 2021 raised over $756,000. Now serves 70 nonprofit members; and
WHEREAS, Community Shares of Wisconsin marked its fiftieth anniversary in 2021 by recognizing longtime volunteers and leaders with Anniversary Backyard Heroes Awards. Awardees included Andy Giesler, Catherine Kimport, Richard Sals, Janet Zimmerman, Denise Matyka, Nicole Gotthelf, Joan Karan, Marianne Morton, Brian Juchems, Nancy Vue, Emily Dickmann, Wenona Wolf, Bernie Hoes, Denise Jess, Charlie Daniel, Harold Gates, Madison Community Foundation, Wegner CPAs, Chad LaFlash, Rich Storck, Capitol Centre Market, Willy Street Co-op, John Quinlan, John Urban, Veronica Figueroa Velez, Hedi Rudd, Katie Beilfuss, Caryl Terrell; and
WHEREAS, Community Shares of Wisconsin marked its fiftieth anniversary in 2021 by presenting three Change-Maker Awards. The Sally Sunde Family Advocate Award to Dr. Armando Ibarra; the Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award to Dani Rischall; and the Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award to Timothy Muth; and
WHEREAS, Community Shares of Wisconsin marked its fiftieth anniversary in 2021 by presenting the COLLABORATION AWARD to Dane County TimeBank, Freedom, Inc., and Urban Triage who demonstrated the power of collaboration with their coordinated efforts to lead Madison’s Black Lives Matter movement in the summer of 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council recognize that Community Shares of Wisconsin has made an enormous and invaluable contribution to Madison and the many people from all walks of life who have benefited directly participants and project recipients. We express our gratitude and continued support.
