Our Programs
Change-Makers
Change-Makers
Each year Community Shares of Wisconsin honors three Change-Makers and 24 Backyard Heroes during our fall Change-Makers Awards Event. Change-Makers work to advance social and environmental justice in communities throughout Wisconsin. These local award winners are nominated by our member nonprofits, organizations that work on the front lines of issues important to you – from housing rights to safe, clean drinking water.

Honors and Awards
Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award – The award is given to an individual whose passion for civil rights has improved the lives of others.
Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award – The award is given to an individual who has exhibited exceptional leadership skills in working at the grassroots level for social change.
Sally Sunde Family Advocate Award – The award is given to an individual whose work has had significant impact on the lives of families.
2023 Community Change-Maker Awards
You’re invited to Community Shares of Wisconsin’s annual Community Change-Maker Awards on Thursday, September 28, 2023. This hybrid event will take place in person at Union South and online. We will celebrate local leaders and organizations who are advancing social...
Community Change-Maker Awards to Recognize Social and Environmental Justice Leaders
On September 17, Community Shares of Wisconsin will celebrate the work of three community leaders who are working to build a better community for all. The virtual celebration will begin on the Community Shares Facebook page at 5:00 p.m. and will include stories and...
Presenting our 2019 Community Change-Makers
On September 19th, Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) will celebrate the work of three incredible leaders working to build a better community for all. Some of the 70 nonprofit member agencies of Community Shares of Wisconsin nominated these awardees. Talib Akbar,...
Save the Date: 2019 Change-Maker Awards Event is on Thursday, Sept 19th!
We invite you to join Community Shares of Wisconsin for our Annual Community Change-Maker Awards Event on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Union South! Each year Community Shares of Wisconsin honors 3 Change-Makers and 24 Backyard Heroes who work to advance social and...
Community Shares’ 2018 Change-Makers Advance the Local Social Justice Movement
On September 20, Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) will celebrate the work of three incredible leaders working to build a better community for all at its 2018 Community Change-Makers event. (Tickets and more information available here.) CSW’s 2018 Community...
Save the Date: The 2018 Change-Maker Awards Event is on Sept. 20th!
Join Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) for the 2018 Community Change-Maker Awards Event on Thursday, Sept. 20th, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Union South! Register for tickets here. Each year Community Shares of Wisconsin honors 3 Change-Makers and 24 Backyard Heroes...
Save the Date: The 2017 Change-Maker Awards Event is on Sep. 27
Join Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) for the 2017 Community Change-Maker Awards Event on Wednesday, September 27, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Union South! Register for tickets here: bit.ly/2017Changemakers We will celebrate our 2017 Community Award winners--three incredible...
Meet the 2016 CSW Community Change-Makers
On September 8, 2016, we gather to honor the work of local heroes and change-makers at our annual Community Change-Makers Awards Event. Learn more about our three Community Change-Makers being honored this year by clicking on their names below. To learn more about our...
2016 Community Change-Maker Awards Event is September 8
*Presented by First Business Bank* On Thursday, September 8, we will host our 2016 Community Change-Maker Awards Event, where we will gather to recognize local heroes in our community and celebrate their significant accomplishments. We invite you to sponsor this...
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What Our Supporters Say
“The Change-Maker awards honor some of the most impactful leaders in our community, and this year’s winners exemplify that. They are not only making a difference in people’s lives; they are reshaping entire institutions to foster lasting change.”
“Nothing brings me greater joy than when a woman makes the decision to begin the healing process. The healing process looks different for each woman. Some of them heal by going through therapy, some use art and other choose to empower others by telling their story. By telling their story, these women take stigma off and gain back control of their lives.”