RISE

What RISE does

RISE is a youth-led 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization founded in 2017 and headquartered in Sherman Oaks, California (with operations in Los Angeles), focused on building youth political power through civic engagement training, voter mobilization, and progressive policy advocacy. The organization operates two affiliated entities: Rise Action Fund (501(c)(4), EIN 82-1876815) for non-deductible donations supporting lobbying and political activity, and Rise Education Fund (501(c)(3)) for tax-deductible charitable contributions. RISE serves young people ages 18-28, with particular focus on students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), community colleges, and BIPOC/low-income youth, and is led by CEO Mary-Pat Hector alongside COO Liz Conn and regional/state director coverage.

RISE's product portfolio is anchored by four core programs: the Rise 25 Fellowship, a fully virtual two-year program investing over $115,000 per fellow; RISE University, a civic engagement training curriculum that transitioned online in 2025; Mobilizing Young Voters, which deploys paid student organizers across 100+ college campuses in eight focus states (AZ, CA, GA, MI, NV, NC, PA, WI); and Free College Advocacy, a policy initiative tied to free-college and student-debt work in California, Georgia, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. Adjacent sub-brands include Black the Vote (HBCU voter-suppression training), the Unleashing the Youth Wave multi-org coalition campaign (run with HeadCount and America's Promise Alliance), and RISE Free Media, a 2025-launched podcast and YouTube network featuring Okay, But Listen, Black In Motion, and CaptainChris808. Technology components are largely third-party: BallotReady's relational organizing platform (used to capture 150,000+ youth vote plans in 2020 and 2022), an AI-driven voter information tool on the Youth Wave site, Google Analytics, ActBlue for donations, and Action Network for email — RISE contributes distribution, paid field staff, and brand rather than proprietary infrastructure.

RISE's revenue model is donation- and grant-funded rather than commercial: tax-deductible donations to Rise Education Fund, non-deductible donations to Rise Action Fund, and a mix of foundation grants and individual donors (with multi-year grants described as having stabilized operations). The organization processes donations via ActBlue and runs programs that are free for beneficiaries, with the Rise 25 Fellowship structured as a multi-year investment per participant. Scale signals include 338 total employees, 250+ paid organizers during election cycles, 10,000+ civic leaders trained since 2017, and 3 million+ youth voters contacted since 2018. Independent analysis by TargetSmart validated a 38% increase in youth voter turnout in Georgia (2022) and a 563% increase at Temple University (2023).

Name

RISE

Legal name

Rise Action Fund

Website

https://risefree.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

RISE is a youth-led 501(c)(4) nonprofit founded in 2017 that mobilizes 18-28 year-olds through paid fellowships, campus organizing, voter mobilization, and a media platform, operating across eight US states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Civic Engagement and Voter Mobilization Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Social Advocacy Organizations (81331), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civic Participation & Leadership Development (Voting, Advocacy, Community Leadership) (EDAAADAL), Civic, Citizenship & Community Engagement Education (EDAAAEAI)

Keywords

• Youth civic engagement
• Voter mobilization
• Leadership fellowships
• Grassroots organizing
• Civic education training

Headquarters

HQ city

Sherman Oaks

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations to Rise Action Fund: Rise Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that receives donations supporting student organizing work, issue advocacy, and youth civic education programs. Donations are not tax-deductible but allow for political lobbying at federal, state, and local levels.
2. Tax-Deductible Donations to Rise Education Fund: Rise Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization that accepts tax-deductible donations supporting charitable and educational activities. These donations support student organizing, issue advocacy, and youth civic education programs but cannot be used for political campaigns.
3. Foundation Grants: Rise's funding model is built on a mix of foundation grants and individual donors. The organization has secured multi-year grants that stabilized operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

RISE is a youth-led nonprofit that runs paid civic engagement programs for young people ages 18–28, including the Rise 25 Fellowship, RISE University civic education trainings, student organizing fellowships for voter mobilization, free college advocacy, and the RISE Free Media digital platform (podcasts and YouTube). All programs are free for participants and funded through donations and foundation grants; the organization targets HBCUs, Minority Serving Institutions, community colleges, and non-college-enrolled youth across eight U.S. focus states.

Product overview

Rise is a youth-led nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of civic engagement programs and digital media initiatives. The core programming includes the Rise 25 Fellowship (a two-year virtual leadership program), RISE University (civic engagement training), Mobilizing Young Voters (voter mobilization), and Free College Advocacy (policy advocacy). RISE Free Media serves as the digital media arm, producing podcasts (Okay But Listen, Black In Motion, CaptainChris808) and content to platform young voices. The #YouthWave campaign coordinates a multi-org collaboration for voter mobilization, while the Black the Vote initiative specifically empowers HBCU students. Together, these programs form a comprehensive ecosystem aimed at building youth political power and advancing progressive values.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Okay, But Listen Podcast: A podcast hosted by Mary-Pat Hector that breaks through political echo chambers to amplify voices from Gen Z, millennials, and Gen Alpha across the political spectrum.
• Black In Motion Podcast
• CaptainChris808

Products and services

• Rise 25 Fellowship A fully virtual two-year paid fellowship for emerging leaders ages 18–28 that combines authentic storytelling with strategic digital content to advance progressive values and grassroots organizing; participants receive over $115,000 in stipends, paid media, training, and resources.
• RISE Free Media A digital media platform launched in 2025 that platforms the voices of young people through authentic representation and modern communication strategies, connecting culture, civic engagement, and society via podcasts and YouTube content.
• RISE University A civic engagement training program hosted with community partners that trains young leaders as advocates through expert training in civic engagement, debate and dialogue, advocacy and accountability, and becoming change agents; delivered in-person and online since 2025.
• Mobilizing Young Voters A voter mobilization program that teaches young people how to exercise political power through student organizing fellowships, civic engagement trainings, in-person community engagement, and digital outreach across the organization's key focus states.
• Free College Advocacy A policy advocacy initiative focused on making higher education accessible and affordable, including campaigning for free college programs, student loan cancellation, and expansion of financial aid; has supported the launch or scaling of free college programs for thousands of students in California, Georgia, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

Quantifiable outcome

• 38% increase in youth voter turnout in Georgia (2022)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Black Voters MattercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2025Rise CEO Mary-Pat Hector appeared on CNN's 'First Of All' podcast with Victor Blackwell alongside Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown to discuss political engagement and the 'No Kings' Anti-Trump protests.
• HeadCountcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2024HeadCount serves as the official digital voter registration partner for Rise's 'Unleashing the Youth Wave' campaign. HeadCount focuses on voter registration and participation in democracy through music and culture. The partnership aims to educate and empower young people to participate in democracy.
• America's Promise AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2024America's Promise Alliance partnered with Rise to support the Youth Wave campaign, bringing together over 30 youth-serving national nonprofits to engage young voters. The alliance enables nonprofits to tackle opportunities too large for any single organization.
• Artists 4 DemocracyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2024Partner organization in the Youth Wave campaign, contributing to the multi-org collaboration to engage young voters.
• Black Youth VotecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2024Black Youth Vote is both a campaign partner and a Run With It grantee. The organization works to increase Black voter participation and civic engagement.
• National Coalition on Black Civic ParticipationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2024Partner organization in the Youth Wave campaign focused on increasing Black civic participation.
• National Action Network Youth – Las VegasminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2024Partner organization in the Youth Wave campaign, contributing to youth voter engagement efforts.
• EQUITY FOR ALLcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2024EQUITY FOR ALL is a Run With It grantee and founded by Rise CEO Mary-Pat Hector. The entity trains young leaders to run for office and seek equal representation opportunities.
• Georgia Coalition for the People's AgendaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2024Partner organization that sets up voter registration tables at local colleges and senior citizen buildings, working with Rise on voter turnout efforts.
• Vote Pro-ChoiceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2024Partner organization in the Youth Wave campaign focusing on reproductive rights and civic engagement.
• Climate PowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Rise partnered with Climate Power to co-host climate-focused Rise University trainings at University of Georgia and North Carolina Central University, training over 200 students on civic engagement and climate action.
• EC4EC (Emergency Contraception for Every Campus)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Rise partnered with EC4EC to address reproductive rights on campus through emergency contraception training and distribution programs.
• Progressive VictoryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Rise worked with Progressive Victory as a digital partner in 2024, reaching over 1 million views of Rise-sponsored content.
• Vocal MediaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Rise partnered with Vocal Media as a digital content partner in 2024 to amplify youth voter engagement messaging.
• 25 Gen-Z Digital CreatorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Rise partnered with 25 Gen-Z digital creators to reach over 1 million views of Rise-sponsored content through digital outreach.
• HeadCount (Board)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Rise CEO Mary-Pat Hector serves as the youngest board member of HeadCount, an organization focused on voter registration and participation in democracy through music and culture.
• TargetSmartcoreTechnology or Integration · 14 February 2023TargetSmart, a leading progressive data firm, conducted independent analysis of Rise's voter turnout effectiveness. The analysis found young voters in Georgia reached by Rise were 38% more likely to vote in 2022, using a sample of over 20,000 vote plans.
• BallotReadycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022BallotReady provides the technology platform that Rise uses to help voters make plans to vote. In 2022, Rise helped voters make over 100,000 plans to vote using BallotReady's technology. BallotReady's CEO praised Rise's model as proof of the potential of technology and relational organizing.
• Arizona Students' AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Since 2020, Rise has partnered with Arizona Students' Association to mobilize students around student loan relief education and outreach as well as civic engagement.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HeadCount: HeadCount is a nonprofit that registers voters through music and cultural partnerships. It is a direct peer — and active partner — of Rise in youth voter mobilization, with Rise's CEO even serving on HeadCount's board. Both organizations target the same Gen Z audience with voter engagement programming.
• March For Our Lives: March For Our Lives is a youth-led gun violence prevention nonprofit that builds political power through organizing, voter mobilization, and advocacy — directly comparable to Rise's youth-led organizing model targeting the same Gen Z demographic.
• DoSomething.org: DoSomething.org is a youth social impact nonprofit that mobilizes young people around civic and social causes through digital campaigns. It competes for the same Gen Z audience and donor pool, with overlapping civic engagement and voter mobilization programming.
• NextGen America: NextGen America is a major progressive youth organizing and voter mobilization nonprofit founded by Tom Steyer. It directly competes with Rise for young voter attention, organizing talent, and foundation funding across battleground states.
• NAACP Youth & College Division: The NAACP's Youth & College Division engages young people in civic education, voter registration, and advocacy with a focus on Black communities — closely mirroring Rise's HBCU-targeted organizing, voter mobilization, and racial equity focus.
• When We All Vote: When We All Vote is a nonpartisan voter mobilization nonprofit co-chaired by Michelle Obama focused on closing voting gaps, including among young people. It overlaps significantly with Rise's voter registration and turnout mission among Gen Z audiences.
• Rock the Vote: Rock the Vote is a longstanding nonprofit focused on registering and mobilizing young voters through cultural and digital channels. It is a direct competitor and one of the most established organizations in the youth civic engagement space Rise operates in.

Emerging players

• Planned Parenthood Generation Action: Planned Parenthood Generation Action is the youth organizing arm of Planned Parenthood, mobilizing college students around reproductive rights and progressive civic engagement. It overlaps with Rise's campus-based organizing model and shared progressive donor base.

Broad incumbents

• Movement Voter Project: Movement Voter Project is a progressive nonprofit that funds and coordinates state and local voter mobilization groups in battleground states. It is a broad incumbent in Rise's space, providing infrastructure funding that influences the ecosystem Rise operates in.

Others

• BallotReady: BallotReady is a civic technology nonprofit that provides the vote planning platform Rise uses to help voters make plans to vote. As Rise's core technology partner, it is an enabling peer in the voter information ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/risefreeorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/risefreeorg

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 RISE