Community Shares of Wisconsin: 2026 Community Change-Maker Awards

Madison, WI – On September 17, Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) will honor local leaders and organizations who are advancing social and environmental justice in our community. At a time when many organizations are shying away from diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social justice issues, Community Shares of Wisconsin and its 81 member nonprofits are proud to honor leaders who champion these causes and continue to do what is right.

The annual Community Change-Maker Awards event is presented by UW Credit Union and will take place at The East Side Club in Madison. The public is invited to attend the event. Tickets purchased in support of this event help Community Shares award $6,000 in donations to the local nonprofits that nominated the winners.

Tickets are a suggested donation of $50. To sponsor the event or purchase tickets, visit communityshares.com.Change-Maker Award Winners

Monique Minkens, nominated by End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin
Winner of the Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award

Monique embodies the essence of exceptional leadership and working at the grassroots level for social change. She is also the first Black Executive Director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. Her work centering anti-oppression and structural change to combat domestic violence has added terrific value to the organization’s work. Monique has also demonstrated her strong leadership by steering End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin through the recent changes in federal grant funding requirements and leading the organization to participate in a national lawsuit that has enabled End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin and coalition members to continue to serve immigrant and LGBTQ+ individuals. Through this joint lawsuit and work with sister coalitions, the entire national network of providers continues to serve the most vulnerable populations.

Mikayla Sandin, nominated by RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center
Winner of the Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award

Mikayla Sandin has an unwavering commitment to advancing equity and justice for Indigenous communities and survivors of violence. As a Sexual Assault Advocate at The RCC, she leads and mentors a team of advocates serving UW–Madison, ensures survivors receive compassionate, survivor-centered support, and has been instrumental in expanding access to culturally responsive services for Indigenous survivors. Her work addresses systemic barriers that impact Indigenous survivors’ access to safety, support, and justice. Recently, she organized a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) workshop, creating space for connection, support, and dialogue around violence impacting Indigenous communities. In addition, she collaborates with sexual and domestic violence service providers statewide to increase awareness and advance advocacy efforts. Through her work, The RCC has increased visibility of Indigenous issues and continues to support meaningful change for survivors.

Sandra Rivera, nominated by Nuestro Mundo, Inc.
Winner of the Sally Sunde Family Advocate Award

Sandra Rivera has been an essential member of the Nuestro Mundo Community School for over 15 years, serving as the school’s only social worker and supporting over 300 students and their families every day. Her deep compassion, tireless advocacy, and boundless generosity make her a cornerstone of the school.

She goes above and beyond to ensure that every student has what they need to be successful — including arranging for food to be sent home, finding transportation to medical appointments, and making home visits to build trust with families. She always listens closely to parents and offers creative and compassionate solutions.

In addition to providing student counseling and teaching mindfulness, Sandra plans schoolwide events that promote kindness, inclusion, and respect. Her selflessness, humility, and passion for helping others makes her a shining example of what it means to be a true family advocate.CSW Collaboration Award Winners

PFAS Statewide Collaboration by Midwest Environmental Advocates, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Conservation Voices

Even at extremely low levels, exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other serious health problems. To take action on PFAS pollution, three Community Shares of Wisconsin member nonprofits – Midwest Environmental Advocates, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Conservation Voices – collaborated on multiple public education and legislative advocacy campaigns.

At the center of all the efforts has been the people living in communities most impacted by PFAS, where the water is not only undrinkable but often poisonous. The three CSW member nonprofits worked side-by-side with local advocates to learn about their experiences, listen to their needs, and follow their lead on messaging and policy solutions.

In 2021, Midwest Environmental Advocates launched the #PFASFreeWisconsin campaign, raising awareness and building support for PFAS testing in public drinking water systems. That same year, River Alliance of Wisconsin’s Clean Water Now referendum campaign allowed voters to show that clean water is a bipartisan priority for Wisconsinites.

The three organizations worked together to help establish statewide PFAS standards in 2022. Wisconsin Conservation Voices continued the effort by advocating for funding to address PFAS contamination in 2023 and organized a Safe Drinking Water Act campaign in 2024. Together, the groups successfully pushed to strengthen PFAS standards in 2025 and 2026.

In 2026, the collective efforts of these CSW member nonprofits, dozens of other nonprofits, and thousands of dedicated individuals resulted in two unanimously passed bills in the Wisconsin legislature. These victories are the direct result of the sustained grassroots movement to address PFAS. The bills provide $133 million in state funding for testing and remediation efforts and grant programs to treat or replace contaminated private drinking water wells.CSW Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Steve Starkey, nominated by OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center

Steve Starkey has been working in social justice organizations in Wisconsin since the 1980s and has been active with Community Shares of Wisconsin and many of its members for decades. He has helped lead four current or former CSW member nonprofits and has served on the board of Community Shares of Wisconsin since 1998. He even served on the development committee, with Linda Sundberg, that helped found the Community Change-Maker Awards. Steve has also been a long-time donor and volunteer with Community Shares of Wisconsin.

In 1981, Steve helped found OUT! newspaper, a CSW member nonprofit and the first statewide LGBTQ+ publication. Steve was on the staff of Wisconsin Community Fund for 20 years and spent 12 years as Executive Director. During his tenure the fund awarded more than 750 social justice grants statewide, providing millions in funding including seed grants to CSW member nonprofits Freedom Inc., GSAFE, and Fair Wisconsin, plus several environmental and Indigenous rights groups.

Steve co-founded the Social Justice Center in 2000 with Nan Cheney and served as the Vice President of the board through 2006. He also served as Board Treasurer for Citizen Action of Wisconsin, a former CSW member nonprofit, from 2000 to 2008.

Steve served as co-chair of the GALVAnize pride parade committee from 1994 to 1998 and served as Grant Committee Co-chair for New Harvest Foundation, the LGBTQ+ fund for Dane County and a former CSW member nonprofit, from 1996 to 2002.

Steve has been in his current role as Executive Director of OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, a CSW member nonprofit, since 2006. During his tenure the center has grown exponentially and now has a staff of 17 and a budget of $2 million.

Photos and extended bios of award winners are available upon request.

The Community Change-Maker Awards event is generously presented by UW Credit Union.

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.