Thank you for your interest in Nonprofit Membership at Community Shares of Wisconsin!
Community Shares of Wisconsin has strengthened and supported the local social and environmental justice movement for 50 years. 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.
Our goal is to add 10-15 new member nonprofits in 2025.
Application Process
CSW follows an intentional and formal new member recruitment process with final decisions made by the board of directors. Applicants follow a multi-step application process that can take 6-9 months.
It’s important that you take time to understand our organization to best determine if we are a good fit for you before you submit the initial application.
If you would like to submit an initial application, start here.
About Community Shares of Wisconsin
Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) is a collaborative community of nonprofit member organizations that addresses social, economic, and environmental problems through grassroots activities, advocacy, research, and public education. CSW provides its member nonprofits access to fundraising opportunities, capacity building, networking opportunities with like-minded organizations, and more.
Mission Statement: Community Shares of Wisconsin brings the community together with 70 nonprofits, raising funds for, and awareness of, the local social and environmental justice movement.
Statement on Equity: CSW acknowledges that racism and other forms of oppression, like ableism, classism, and transphobia, are systemic and result in socio-economic disparities. We prioritize identifying and changing policies and practices that perpetuate inequality and harm. Our goal is to address the root causes of these issues to begin the work of creating impactful and material change in our community.
Membership Benefits
- Exclusive fundraising opportunities, including:
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- The Big Share® (which has raised over $5.7 million since 2015)
- Community CHIP® program at Willy Street Co-op
- Community Round Up program at Capitol Centre Market
- Workplace giving campaign across the county
- Online giving portal that nonprofits can use on their website
- “Share” of excess funds raised by CSW each year.
- Member nonprofits receive 100% of the funds designated to them and the funds can always be used as the nonprofits see fit.
- Exclusive marketing opportunities, including:
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- Backyard Heroes program that highlights member volunteers
- Community Change-Maker Awards that honors local leaders and organizations
- Print and digital advertising
- Ability to list nonprofit news and events on Community Shares social media and in bi-weekly enewsletters.
- Training in marketing, operations, management, member recruitment, and more to help build fundraising capacity and expand each member nonprofit’s reach.
- Access to 401(k) plans for all qualifying member nonprofits.
Qualification Requirements
Several years ago, Community Shares of Wisconsin commenced an organization-wide evaluation of our structure, policies, and practices toward the goal of transformation toward prioritization of racial equity and inclusion. This evaluation led to a change in membership policies and bylaws that support the move toward inclusion of more individuals and organizations with marginalized identities and with under-resourced work.
In 2022, the CSW board approved bylaw and policy changes that require a clearly and publicly stated commitment to racial and social justice from new and continuing Community Shares member organizations and adapted membership requirements to make membership at CSW more accessible for groups who have the greatest alignment with our values.
CSW Membership Policies, Approved by Board of Directors in November 2022
- Have a demonstrated base of support from individuals and the community at-large including financial, in-kind, and volunteer.
- Make decisions about the use of funds received from CSW independent of any nationwide parent organization, or otherwise demonstrate that funds received from CSW will be used in support of program services in Wisconsin.
- Demonstrate responsible management through a financial system with established mechanisms to assure ongoing and long-range programmatic and fiscal planning and evaluation.
- Have been established for at least one (1) year prior to membership application to CSW.
- Have an office located or be headquartered in Wisconsin.
- Have a volunteer board.
- Have a clearly and publicly stated commitment to racial and social justice
- Adhere to the nondiscrimination policy as set forth in Article II.C.5
- Do not inhibit or prohibit employees from organizing a union.
Member Obligations
- Maintain the conditions specified in III. A.1.
- Adhere to policies and obligations of CSW as set forth in these bylaws and other membership duties as established by the Board.
- Submit a statement that funds received from CSW will be used for the organization’s stated purposes.
- Provide CSW staff with copies of Articles of Incorporation, IRS status, bylaws, and necessary annual documentation if participating in workplace giving campaigns.
- Provide financial support to CSW through membership dues and administrative assessments determined annually.
- Participate in periodic reviews to assure compliance with these bylaws.
- Provide the annual number of work hours as established by the CSW Board.
- Designate an individual to serve on the CSW Board and to act as a liaison between CSW and the member organization.
- Assure that a representative from the organization shall be an active member of at least one (1) CSW committee.
- Treat each other in a respectful manner.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Judy Young, Membership and Operations Manager, at [email protected].
If you would like to submit an initial application, start here.