What Up for Growth does

Up for Growth is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., founded in 2018 to address America's housing shortage and affordability crisis through data-driven policy advocacy. The organization operates a cross-sector member network of 300+ organizations spanning policy advocates, real estate practitioners (developers, builders, architects, lenders, investors), and public-sector leaders, segmented into Advocate and Practitioner cohorts with further National and State/Local sub-tracks. Its core outputs include the annual Housing Underproduction in the U.S. report series (published 2022-2025) quantifying a 3.85 million home shortfall across 198 metropolitan areas, an interactive Housing Dashboard launched in 2024, and a Policy Brief Library of evidence-based policy analyses.

The organization generates revenue primarily through membership dues, though in January 2026 it restructured to a commitment- and participation-based model designed to broaden coalition access. It operates Up for Growth Action as an affiliated federal advocacy arm focused on legislative engagement, and co-founded the bipartisan Congressional YIMBY Caucus in November 2024 to institutionalize pro-housing federal policy advocacy. Its go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on coalition-building, events, webinars, congressional briefings, and earned media rather than transactional sales. The organization has a small staff (1-10 employees) and is governed by a Board of Directors led by CEO Mike Kingsella.

The business is non-transactional in the conventional sense: revenue is membership-funded and the "product" is policy influence, data, and coalition access. Notable recent outcomes include supporting the May 2026 House passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act by a 396-13 vote and mobilizing 227 organizations to sign a coalition letter in support of the bill. The technology layer is modest — primarily a content website and interactive dashboard — with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities or proprietary software products.

Name

Up for Growth

Legal name

Up for Growth

Website

https://upforgrowth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Up for Growth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 300+ organization national coalition that conducts data-driven housing policy research and federal advocacy to address America's 3.85 million home underproduction shortfall.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Housing Policy Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (81331), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Housing & Social Housing Development/Modernization Programs (FSALAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans) (FSALAKAF), State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM)

Keywords

• Housing policy advocacy
• Housing underproduction research
• Affordable housing coalition
• Membership-based advocacy
• Policy research network

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Up for Growth generates revenue through membership dues from organizations including advocates, practitioners, and policymakers. The membership model evolved in 2026 to be based on shared commitment and participation rather than annual payment, helping bring more aligned organizations into the coalition.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Up for Growth is a national, cross-sector member network that drives federal housing policy advocacy, data-driven research, and coalition-building to address the U.S. housing shortage and affordability crisis. Its core offerings include the annual Housing Underproduction in the U.S. report series, an interactive Housing Dashboard, a Policy Brief Library, and a Member Network of 280+ organizations coordinated with Up for Growth Action, its federal advocacy arm.

Product overview

Up for Growth operates as a national, cross-sector member network and policy advocacy organization focused on solving America's housing shortage. The organization offers a unified portfolio centered on research, data tools, and advocacy services. Core offerings include the annual Housing Underproduction Report series (2022-2025), an interactive Housing Dashboard for exploring regional housing data, and a Policy Brief Library of evidence-based policy analyses. The organization also provides a Member Network of 280+ organizations with access to coordinated federal advocacy, educational programming through Learning & Events including an Annual Summit, and Up for Growth Action as its federal lobbying arm. The Legislative Agenda organizes federal housing proposals under Build/Adapt/Preserve pillars.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Up for Growth Action: The advocacy and lobbying arm of Up for Growth, focused on advancing federal policies that support housing supply expansion and affordability.

Products and services

• Housing Underproduction in the U.S. Report Annual flagship research report that quantifies the gap between housing availability and housing need across U.S. metropolitan areas and states, tracking underproduction trends from 2012 to present.
• Housing Dashboard Interactive data visualization tool enabling users to explore housing underproduction rates, home prices, and rent trends by geography (state/metro) and year.
• Policy Brief Library Collection of evidence-based, data-driven policy briefs examining pro-housing policy questions in terms of production impact, political feasibility, and equity.
• Member Network Cross-sector coalition of 280+ organizations including advocates, practitioners, and policymakers working on housing solutions. Provides access to research, events, and coordinated federal advocacy.
• Up for Growth Action Federal advocacy arm focused on eliminating barriers and increasing resources for housing production through data-driven policies, coalition-building, and legislative engagement.
• Legislative Agenda Federal housing legislative platform organized under three pillars (Build, Adapt, Preserve) and six building blockers (Land, Process, Bucks, Labor, Political, Bricks).
• Learning & Events Educational programming including webinars, forums, and annual summits featuring housing policy experts, practitioners, and government leaders.
• Annual Summit for Housing Changemakers Flagship annual conference bringing together housing experts, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss housing policy solutions and release annual research.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.85 million missing homes quantified nationwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Congressional YIMBY CaucuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBipartisan Congressional caucus co-founded with Up for Growth Action to advance pro-housing policies. Co-chaired by Representatives Robert Garcia, Chuck Edwards, Brittany Pettersen, Juan Ciscomani, Scott Peters, Marc Molinaro, and Jake Auchincloss. The caucus brings together members of Congress, staff, experts, and advocates to promote policies reducing barriers to construction and supporting housing growth.
• AARPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational supporter of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus focused on housing issues affecting older Americans
• American Planning AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational supporter of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus bringing planning expertise to housing policy discussions
• Bipartisan Policy CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational supporter of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus providing bipartisan policy expertise
• California YIMBYminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState-level YIMBY organization supporting the Congressional YIMBY Caucus
• Inclusive Abundance InitiativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner that helped lead the coalition of 227 pro-housing organizations supporting the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
• Mortgage Bankers AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational supporter of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus representing mortgage lending industry
• National Apartment AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational supporter of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus representing apartment industry interests
• National Low Income Housing CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational supporter of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus focused on affordable housing advocacy
• National Multifamily Housing CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational supporter of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus representing multifamily housing industry
• Niskanen CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational supporter of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus providing policy think tank expertise
• Smart Growth AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational supporter of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus focused on sustainable development
• UnidosUSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational supporter of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus representing Latino community interests in housing
• YIMBY ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy organization with 38 chapters across the U.S. that co-leads the YIMBY movement and is led by Executive Director Laura Foote, who serves on Up for Growth's Board of Directors

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YIMBY Action: National YIMBY advocacy organization with 38 state chapters; co-leads the pro-housing movement with Up for Growth and shares overlapping leadership and federal advocacy agenda.
• National Low Income Housing Coalition: Federal housing policy advocacy nonprofit focused on affordable housing for low-income households; an Up for Growth coalition member and a parallel voice on federal housing legislation.
• Smart Growth America: National advocacy organization advancing sustainable, equitable, walkable development; a YIMBY Caucus supporter and peer in federal housing and land-use policy advocacy.
• California YIMBY: State-level YIMBY organization that supports the Congressional YIMBY Caucus and pursues pro-housing legislative and zoning reform in California, with shared federal advocacy agenda.
• Bipartisan Policy Center: Think tank producing bipartisan housing and infrastructure policy research; a YIMBY Caucus supporter and complementary voice in federal housing policy development.
• National Housing Conference: Nonpartisan affordable housing advocacy and policy nonprofit with a federal legislative focus; a long-standing peer organization working on the same housing affordability and supply agenda.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of REALTORS: Largest U.S. trade association for real estate professionals; an Up for Growth coalition member engaged in federal housing supply and affordability advocacy with a much broader industry mandate.
• AARP Public Policy Institute: Large advocacy organization covering housing affordability for older Americans; a YIMBY Caucus supporter and policy partner with overlapping federal housing supply interests.
• Mortgage Bankers Association: National trade association representing the real estate finance industry; a YIMBY Caucus supporter and federal housing policy participant with overlapping supply-side priorities.

Emerging players

• Urban Institute - Housing Finance Policy Center: Research organization producing data-driven housing policy analysis that informs federal housing legislation; comparable to Up for Growth's research and policy brief function.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Up4Growth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Up for Growth