Shawano Festival Powers Up 6 Nonprofits Through Volunteers

When a music festival needs dozens of volunteers, why not turn that need into a fundraising opportunity for local nonprofits?

That's exactly what Sun Drop Dayz organizers in Shawano, Wisconsin are doing this June. The festival randomly selects six nonprofit groups each year to both benefit from the event and help make it happen.

This year's chosen organizations include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin, SAFPARC, the Optimist Club, St. Francis Church, Shawano Paddlers, and the NWTC Educational Foundation. Committee President Brad Keuschel says they picked groups that serve different community needs and make strong local impacts.

Here's how the partnership works. Each nonprofit fills a dozen or more volunteer shifts during the two-day festival. Volunteers handle everything from trash cleanup to serving drinks in the beer tent, and their work directly translates into funding for their organizations.

The setup solves two problems at once. Sun Drop Dayz gets the people power needed to run a community festival, while nonprofits gain resources without asking donors to open their wallets.

The Ripple Effect

This model shows how creative thinking can multiply good outcomes. Festival attendees get great music and activities on June 5 and 6 in downtown Shawano. Nonprofits earn funding while building team spirit among their volunteers. And the broader community benefits from stronger local organizations.

The application process stays fair through random selection after groups apply through the festival website. That means different organizations get opportunities year after year, spreading the impact across Shawano's nonprofit landscape.

Six organizations supporting youth mentorship, disability services, community projects, faith communities, outdoor recreation, and education will all walk away stronger after one weekend of teamwork and music.