“ I got a closer look at how a nonprofit organization works. I learned about fundraising, strategic planning, budgeting… and how to stay focused on your mission. I learned the importance of building connections and collaboration with different stakeholders.”
-Capstone Certificate student
Learn Who We Are
Through courses, certificates, events, and Co-Create partnerships, students can explore nonprofit leadership, social innovation, evaluation, facilitation, and other ways to support stronger, more civically healthy communities.
We encourage you to use this page as a starting point map to explore opportunities to engage with the CommNS through programs, events, and resources that match your interests and goals!:
The CommNS
The Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies (CommNS) is a center based in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. We partner with the Civil Society and Community Studies department to teach courses and certificates, and we host events for community-engaged teaching. Our Co-Create team within the CommNS partners with nonprofit organizations through research, evaluation, and facilitation. While many aspects of the CommNS are open to the greater community, we are also here for students: undergrads, graduates, and those pursuing our Capstone Certificate.
Co-Create
Co-Create offers students a hands-on way to connect classroom learning with community-based work. As part of this CommNS team, student interns support fee-based projects with nonprofits, local government agencies, and philanthropic partners by contributing to research, evaluation, and facilitation. Through this work, students build practical skills, learn how community organizations address real-world challenges, and contribute to collaborative efforts that support community-led social change.
Join our email list and follow us on social media
Get Involved
From site visits and trips to conferences, networking, discussions, and lectures, the CommNS facilitates ways to bring experts and organizations from the civil society sector together with students to learn and connect about current issues in the critical field of purpose-driven work to make communities stronger and to shape a bright future for all. Check out some of these opportunities, and plan to join us:
CommNS Connect
The CommNS hosts one CommNS Connect event each fall and spring semester. Join the CommNS team, faculty, affiliates, alumni, advisors, partners, and friends for this networking event. Students and CommNS affiliates are encouraged to attend!
Keep an eye on our upcoming events for the next CommNs Connect!
CommUnity Conference
The Center hosts a biennial conference right here at the university, for a day of inquiry and action. The conference offers a space for community members, students, faculty, researchers, and nonprofit professionals to come together to share ideas and work together to build a more vibrant, democratic, and engaged community.
CommUniversity
These lecture and discussion sessions feature professionals from across the country and usually cover nonprofit topics. They are hosted on the third Thursday of every month of the fall and spring academic semester at noon. You may come in person (pizza provided!) or join virtually.
Chicago Friends of The CommNS
Join the CommNS on a trip to Chicago this coming Spring 2027 for our biennial networking and site visit event. The goal of the trip is to build a strong network with alumni, professionals, and representatives of nonprofits, foundations, and other socially related organizations for our students as they seek jobs and internships. Students will also have the opportunity to visit nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, see firsthand the exciting work, innovations, and programming happening in our closest metropolitan community, and learn from the professionals advancing this work onsite.
Meet-Ups
Civic Health of Wisconsin Meet-Ups
These virtual Meet-Ups happen the first Tuesday of every month from 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm. Participants from various organizations come together to discuss the civic health of Wisconsin and share what they are working on.
All are welcome!
find out more information here
Global Quarterly Meet-Ups
The CommNS regularly hosts a virtual Meet-Up with professionals from around the world to discuss important and relevant topics impacting communities worldwide.
Students interested in global efforts are welcome to join!
Special Events
Fostering Online Resilience and Understanding Media for Students
These virtual Meet-Ups happen the first Tuesday of every month from 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm. Participants from various organizations come together to discuss the civic health of Wisconsin and share what they are working on. All are welcome.
Badger Stories
Do you have a unique story to share? Are you passionate about community, civic engagement, and civic health? Learn how to craft your tale for our campus and broader community.
Badger Stories for Civic Health Project, made possible by the Chancellor’s Wisconsin Exchange Initiative, offers you:
- Skill-building storytelling workshops
- A culminating showcase on November 18th
- Opportunity to share your story with the Madison community
Initiatives
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Civic Health of Wisconsin
The Civic Health of Wisconsin initiative is a nonpartisan effort dedicated to strengthening civic health across the state by supporting democratic participation, volunteerism, community connection, and other civic engagement efforts. The initiative brings together organizations from across Wisconsin to share knowledge, build connections, and promote thriving communities.
The CommNS regularly hosts civic health meetings and events that provide opportunities to learn about issues affecting communities across Wisconsin while networking with nonprofit, public sector, and community leaders. Students may also find opportunities to support the initiative through student employment with the CommNS, assisting with event planning, coordination, and other project activities.
The Civic Health webpage also offers publications, tools, and resources for those interested in developing their own civic engagement.
Check out our social media or events webpage for more upcoming events. Feel free to reach out about student employment opportunities.
WisNRG
The CommNS is an active participant in the Wisconsin Nonprofit Resource Group (WisNRG), a collective of “service-tier” organizations that assist in coordinating efforts to address the needs of Wisconsin’s nonprofit sector. Through WisNRG, the CommNS engages in statewide conversations about nonprofit resources, capacity-building, and support for community organizations across Wisconsin.
Through its involvement in WisNRG, the CommNS serves as a resource for students seeking to better understand the statewide networks, collaborations, and support systems that help strengthen Wisconsin’s nonprofit sector. The CommNS also employs student staff who support our work with WisNRG, including meeting coordination, communications, and maintenance of the WisNRG website.
Feel free to reach out about student employment opportunities.
Gente de la Tierra
Through initiatives such as Gente de la Tierra (“People of the Earth”), the CommNS has collaborated with international partners to explore community storytelling, environmental connections, and youth engagement across cultures.
Change Makers Collective
The CommNS collaborates with the UW–Madison student organization Change Makers Collective. This org provides professional development for Community & Organizational Development majors, supplemental education, community building, and student representation through advocacy for present and future students. Connect with them via Instagram or Email: changemakerscollective@studentorg.wisc.edu
Events
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Sep17
CommUniversity Session - Careers Corporate Social Responsibility -- Current Updates and Illustrations from the Field @ 12:00 pm CDT - 1:30 pm CDT Hybrid — Nancy Nicholas Hall Room 1199 or Zoom https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/97986478857
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Oct06
October – Civic Health of Wisconsin Meet-Up @ 12:00 pm CDT - 1:00 pm CDT
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Oct15
CommUniversity Sessions @ 12:00 pm CDT - 1:30 pm CDT Hybrid — Nancy Nicholas Hall Room 1199 or Zoom https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/97986478857
Academics and courses
530 Purpose Driven Organizations (for undergraduate students)
Learn about the roles, characteristics, and infrastructure of purpose-driven organizations including community and grassroots efforts, nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations, social enterprises, cooperatives, and land trusts. Analyze historical, current, and trending approaches to purpose-driven work through textual, community-engaged, or case study learning.
Nonprofit Board Leadership (for undergraduate students)
This asynchronous summer course engages in a comprehensive understanding of how board leadership operates in community and civic engagement. Examines the roles, responsibilities, challenges, and critiques of nonprofit board leadership. Grounded in civil society and social science foundations with opportunities for community-facing and applied learning through research, case study, and informational interviews with real-life organizations. Includes analysis of historical approaches, current trends, and community-engaged observation and learning in nonprofit boards.
Professional Skills Courses (for graduate & undergraduate students)
Learn about emerging issues in social change across a range of topics through guest lectures from around Wisconsin and beyond. These courses offer hybrid instruction and flexible scheduling for working learners. Available for graduate students and upper-level undergraduate students interested in current trends in a variety of professional and academic topics.
Testimonials
Everything we do is made possible by our incredible student staff and interns. From planning events and creating resources to supporting programs and connecting with other students, or contributing to a Co-Create project with a community partner, students play a vital role in our work. Interested in joining the team?
Keep an eye on employment opportunities through the School of Human Ecology and the UW–Madison Jobs board.
Helpful Links for Students
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Academic pathways
Explore academic programs, certificates, and courses connected to the CommNS and the School of Human Ecology.
Student support and advising
Find additional School of Human Ecology and department resources that may be helpful as you explore your academic path.
Events and media
Learn more about upcoming events, past stories, recordings, and resources from the CommNS.
Explore our work beyond the website through the CommNS YouTube channel. Browse recordings of events and workshops, discover helpful resources, and learn more about topics that interest you.
Ways to connect
We are always posting about upcoming events and initiatives on our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts. Follow our accounts to stay in the loop!