You’re invited to stand up for your community by taking part in The Big Share™ on Tuesday, March 7th, to benefit nearly 70 local nonprofit organizations working to build a just, equitable community and to protect our environment.
The Big Share is a single day of online giving that supports nonprofit members of Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW)—groups that are on the forefront of the social and environmental justice movement in our state. In two years, The Big Share has raised over $500,000 from thousands of individual donors, many of whom are encouraged to donate for the first time through social media posts and emails from friends and family.
“The Big Share is an opportunity for the entire community to come together and stand up for the causes and values we care about,” said Cheri Dubiel, CSW Executive Director. “Whether it’s making a donation, or sharing your support for social justice or the environment, The Big Share gives everyone thechance to build a safe community where all of our neighbors can thrive. Now more than ever, we believe The Big Share is an essential tool for making your voice heard.”
Many Voices, Big Impact
The Big Share is the most recent chapter in Community Shares of Wisconsin’s long history of building community around grassroots social change through programs like the Community CHIP Program at Willy Street Co-op. Founded over 45 years ago by local advocates banding together to increase funds and community support for social and environmental justice causes, Community Shares of Wisconsin believes that when passionate people come together we can truly change the world.
With The Big Share, people can support the causes they care about with a donation as little as $5, or by sharing about their support through email or social media. With opportunities for peer-to-peer fundraising, it’s easy to expand the impact of support, simply by encouraging others to give or learn more about these critical local causes.
Thanks to support from the Madison Community Foundation—which has signed on again as the presenting sponsor for The Big Share—and other local businesses, incentive prizes will be offered throughout the day to create excitement on social media as participating nonprofits and supporters seek engagement from new members of the community.
“The Big Share is a great vehicle to call attention to philanthropy, as well as an opportunity to come together to support many different causes,” said Bob Sorge, Madison Community Foundation President. “We are honored to support this event and help it grow. Join us with your support on March 7th!”
Innovation and Collaboration
The impact of The Big Share goes beyond fundraising, as CSW member groups attend trainings together and share ideas about how to best engage potential supporters through online communications, digital fundraising, photos, and videos. Trainings are provided thanks to generous grants from Madison Gas and Electric, American Family Insurance, and the Zendesk Neighbor Foundation. Student interns from the UW-Madison School of Journalism provide additional support.
“For our organization, the benefits of The Big Share extend far beyond March,” said Wenona Wolf, Communication and Development Manager for the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families. “We use the concepts of The Big Share, like digital engagement and storytelling, to give voice to our policy and advocacy work throughout the year.”
As nonprofit participants build skills year-to-year, The Big Share continues to draw new supporters to organizations long involved with building a stronger community by challenging injustice. This means standing up and speaking out on controversial issues. It means challenging structures and policies that harm our community. And it means coming up with innovative solutions to make lasting change.
By participating in the Big Share, you support a movement of organizations working to build a sustainable food system and fight climate change, and groups that protect civil liberties, advocate for living wages, and defend affordable housing. It’s a movement that advances racial justice, LGBTQ rights, gender equality and the rights of those with disabilities and mental illness.
Ready to show your support for this movement? Mark your calendars for March 7th for an incredible day of generosity, partnership, and community-building. Don’t want to wait until March 7th? You can learn more and give now at www.thebigshare.org. Be part of the conversation on social media using #CSWBigShare.
