By: Community Shares of Wisconsin
When you say “yes” to the Community CHIP® program, you’re supporting Community Shares of Wisconsin and our nearly 70 local member nonprofits who work on issues like voting rights, healthy food systems, criminal justice reform, housing advocacy, environmental protection, and much more.
To donate, say “yes” when the cashier asks if you want to “CHIP”. You can also “CHIP” when using self-checkout by choosing to round up to the nearest dollar. The co-op collects the money and gives 100% of your donation to Community Shares to distribute equitably among our member nonprofits and to provide training and technical support for those nonprofits. Because the Community CHIP program is a part of Community Shares, all CHIP contributions are tax deductible.
Community CHIP began on October 15, 1971, and is the oldest source of funding for Community Shares of Wisconsin (then known as the Madison Sustaining Fund). The program was nicknamed “The People’s Tax” because it allowed the community to directly support community organizations that were meeting needs not met by existing institutions. Local businesses collected donations in jars near cash registers and Community Shares distributed those funds to local nonprofits based on the consensus of members.
Candace Weber, founding member of Community Shares of Wisconsin, said, “A lot of young people felt very powerless fifty years ago, and found that coming together helped us become more powerful. This is still true. If we come together as a group, a community, we can make meaningful change.”
Willy Street Co-op has participated in the Community CHIP program since 1978 and has been the exclusive home of the Community CHIP program since 2008. The program currently raises over $300,000 a year from the generosity of thousands of co-op shoppers like you. To date, co-op shoppers have donated over $4 million to Community Shares of Wisconsin member nonprofits by “chipping.”
Community Shares knows charitable giving isn’t just for the wealthy. We democratize philanthropy by connecting with as many individual donors as possible, so everyone’s contributions add up to make a big difference in our community.
Candance Weber said, “I feel most powerful when the money I give goes to organizations whose work I know. I have been, and remain, a firm believer that change happens from the ground up. Local change is going to be substantial and real. My contribution can mean change for my community and my neighbor.”
From the generosity of people like you donating through the Community CHIP program, workplace giving campaigns, and The Big Share® online day of giving, Community Shares of Wisconsin now distributes over $1 million to our member nonprofits annually.
Here are just a few examples of the local nonprofits you support with your donation.
Wheels for Winners provides bicycles to individuals who perform community service, especially to youth and others who could not normally afford a bicycle. They also promote bicycle safety, support community biking events, and provide repair services and training.
Wisconsin PATCH, a program of Embolden WI employs young people statewide to provide advice and input on goals, decisions, initiatives, and practices that impact the health of their generation. The program provides youth with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to thrive into adulthood.
FairShare CSA Coalition’s food access program, Partner Shares, helps lower-income individuals access community supported agriculture from FairShare farms. The program provides fresh vegetables to the individuals while supporting local farms and increasing
food security in our community.
Learn about all of our local member nonprofits at communityshares.com.
The funds provided by the Community CHIP program are crucial. Thank you for supporting Community Shares of Wisconsin and our member nonprofits through the Community CHIP program!
