Madison, WI – On Tuesday, March 3, Community Shares of Wisconsin and its 82 member nonprofits hosted The Big Share®, an online day of giving focused on social and environmental justice. The 2026 campaign raised over $880,000 for local nonprofits. Over 5,000 donors gave during The Big Share. This is the most money ever raised during The Big Share and the most donors who have ever given during The Big Share in 12 years of the event.
Individuals can continue to donate on thebigshare.org through midnight on Tuesday, March 10.
“Once again, our community proved that they strongly support social justice and environmental sustainability by donating during The Big Share,” said Cheri Dubiel, Executive Director of Community Shares of Wisconsin. “We are very grateful to everyone who donated, and it is always amazing seeing our members come together to pull off such a huge event, especially during the stressful events taking place in our country”.
Since 2015, The Big Share has raised over $6.5 million for the member nonprofits of Community Shares of Wisconsin. These local nonprofits are working on civil liberties, sustainability, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, healthy food and farms, criminal justice reform, affordable housing, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Grand prizes were awarded by Madison Community Foundation for the nonprofits that raised the most money, had the most donors, and who had the most growth in funds raised during The Big Share.
GSAFE raised the most money during The Big Share, an incredible $81,509, and had the most donors with 1,123. GSAFE also had the most individual fundraisers, who raised money on behalf of GSAFE.
1000 Friends of Wisconsin had a 216% growth in online gifts this year compared to last year. Other member nonprofits that showed great growth in the amount of donations include Fair Wisconsin Education Fund (198% growth), Voces de la Frontera (194% growth), Embolden WI (136% growth), and End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin (136% growth).
Community Shares of Wisconsin welcomed 16 additional member nonprofits in 2026, and these new members had a great showing during The Big Share. YWCA Madison raised $29,939 in their first year of The Big Share. Open Doors for Refugees, an organization with only one employee, was able to raise $15,107 by recruiting a large number of fundraisers.
Collaboration among member nonprofits is at the heart of what Community Shares of Wisconsin does. In this spirit, The Big Share 2026 kicked off on March 2 with an event at Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge that was collaboratively hosted by three member nonprofits; Rooted, REAP Food Group, and FairShare CSA Coalition.
Rob Dz, a local hip-hop artist and community activist, also helped kick off The Big Share on the night of March 2 by posting a Spotify playlist for The Big Share. Listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4JsEwsD6EX3ypPD0DiqkpH
On March 3, Community Shares of Wisconsin hosted The Big Share Live, a day-long telethon to support the The Big Share. It featured innovative programming including live art and poetry (presented by YWCA Madison) and an immersive outdoor exhibit to create awareness about the experience of homelessness (presented by Urban Triage).
The Big Share Live also featured expert panel discussions about the importance of housing center hubs, the impact of AI data centers, LGBTQ+ organizations in today’s political climate, refugee resettlement in this political climate, funding the future of Wisconsin state parks, how to defend wetlands, and the importance of community advocacy. The telethon ended with live music from The Currach Quadtet and Bear In The Forest.
A recording of The Big Share Live is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TbEd_7R-ek
The Big Share’s 2026 principal partner is Madison Community Foundation.
Media sponsors are The Cap Times, 105.5 Triple M, News 3 Now, and WUWM 89.7 Milwaukee’s NPR.
The New Member Big Boost Sponsor is Madison Gas and Electric.
Additional sponsors include Alliant Energy Foundation, Boardman Clark, First Business Bank, Summit Credit Union, Lake Effect Human Resources & Law, TruStage, Baer Insurance, Scholz Nonprofit Law, Budget Signs & Specialties, Willy Street Co-op, Patrick Heck, Hinckley Productions, designCraft Advertising, and Capitol Centre Market.
Since 1971, Community Shares of Wisconsin and its members have worked together to advance social justice and protect the environment in Wisconsin. Together they envision a future where people come together to ensure every member of our community is safe, healthy, and able to thrive.
