RISE TOGETHER

What RISE TOGETHER does

RISE TOGETHER is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 and headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, that delivers peer-led, connection-centered programming for youth mental health and substance use prevention. The organization operates with a small staff of approximately 8 employees and serves middle and high school-aged youth through three core programs: RISE Youth Assemblies (large-format school and community events), RISEconnection Training (peer-to-peer skill building), and RISE Hangouts (recurring small-group gatherings in community spaces such as the Community Living Room in Appleton and Electric City Chuter's in Kaukauna). Programming is delivered free of charge to schools and community partners.

The organization's business model is donation- and event-driven. Revenue is generated through individual donations, merchandise sales, and event fundraising, and RISE TOGETHER explicitly does not accept federal funding. It has secured grant support from philanthropic partners including the Basic Needs Giving Partnership (supporting RISE Hangouts) and has partnered with Wisconsin Wins on commercial tobacco prevention work. To date, the organization reports reaching more than 500,000 youth, serving 200-plus schools, and impacting 25-plus U.S. states.

RISE TOGETHER has invested in academic credibility through a research partnership with Penn State College of Medicine, which has produced an NIH-indexed peer-reviewed publication supporting the organization's prevention model. The nonprofit continues to expand its Wisconsin footprint through new community venue partnerships and speaking engagements (e.g., HER Day in Oshkosh), while its peer-led design is intended to scale organically through trained student ambassadors.

Name

RISE TOGETHER

Legal name

RISE TOGETHER, INC.

Website

https://weallrisetogether.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RISE TOGETHER is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 in Appleton, Wisconsin, providing peer-led youth mental health and substance use prevention programming to schools and communities across 25-plus U.S. states, reaching over 500,000 youth through assemblies, training, and community hangouts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mental Health & Substance Use Prevention Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

Keywords

• Youth mental health prevention
• Substance use prevention
• Peer-led storytelling programs
• Healing-centered training
• Youth connection services

Headquarters

HQ city

Appleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, organizations, and community supporters to fund FREE programming for youth. The organization does not receive federal funding and relies entirely on community support.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, stickers, and accessories through the online shop
3. Event Fundraising: Annual fundraiser events such as RISE's Lucky 13 Community Concert and RISE 12 Year celebration events

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

RISE TOGETHER delivers a peer-led, connection-centered prevention model that includes RISE Youth Assemblies (storytelling sessions in schools to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use), RISEconnection Training (healing-centered professional development for educators and youth advocates), and RISE Hangouts (free monthly drop-in spaces for youth ages 12-18). All programming is free to participants and funded through community donations.

Product overview

RISE TOGETHER is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a peer-led, connection-centered prevention model consisting of three integrated programs: RISE Youth Assemblies (storytelling assemblies for schools), RISEconnection Training (professional development for educators and youth workers), and RISE Hangouts (free drop-in spaces for youth). The organization uses lived-experience storytelling combined with evidence-based prevention approaches, developed in partnership with Penn State College of Medicine, to build protective factors and reduce stigma around mental health and substance use among young people.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RISEconnection: Healing-centered training for educators, counselors, and youth advocates designed to strengthen student mental health, foster connection, and build peer-led prevention programs through storytelling, reflection, and real-world tools.
• RISE Hangouts
• RISE Youth Assemblies

Products and services

• RISE Youth Assemblies Peer-led storytelling assemblies conducted in schools and communities that reduce stigma around mental health and substance use, increasing protective factors and help-seeking behaviors among youth.
• RISEconnection Training Healing-centered training program for educators, counselors, and youth advocates designed to strengthen student mental health, foster connection, and build peer-led prevention programs through storytelling, reflection, and real-world tools.
• RISE Hangouts Free monthly drop-in connection spaces for youth ages 12-18, providing safe, welcoming environments with trusted adults, positive peer connection, snacks, games, and optional wellness-themed activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of students are less likely to use drugs or alcohol after a RISE presentation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• HER Day in OshkoshminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 March 2025Community event partnership where Executive Director Nadine Machkovech spoke at storytelling panel and Legacy Dinner, with Teen Summit for youth leadership.
• Penn State College of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership conducting peer-led prevention research. Published NIH-indexed, peer-reviewed scientific study validating RISE TOGETHER's impact. Six years of data (2014-2020) collected across 53 Wisconsin counties.
• Wisconsin WinscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Wisconsin's Tobacco Prevention & Control Program for commercial tobacco prevention efforts including public awareness and community compliance initiatives.
• Community Living RoomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for RISE Hangouts at 113 W. Harris St., downtown Appleton - providing safe community space for youth connection.
• Electric City Chuter'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for RISE Hangouts at 514 Draper St., Kaukauna - expanding program into new community space.
• SAFE ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing resources for substance use and mental health challenges. Referenced for treatment center and family support locator.
• NAMI WisconsinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMental health organization partnership for conference participation and prevention resource sharing.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Partnership to End Addiction: Partnership to End Addiction (formerly Partnership for Drug-Free Kids) provides substance use prevention resources, education, and support for families and youth. It is a direct peer to RISE TOGETHER in the youth substance use prevention space.
• The Jed Foundation: JED is a nonprofit focused on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for teens and young adults, partnering with schools and colleges to implement comprehensive mental health programs. It is a direct peer serving the same youth mental health and school-based prevention market as RISE TOGETHER.
• Born This Way Foundation: Co-founded by Lady Gaga, Born This Way Foundation supports youth mental health through kindness initiatives, peer support, and storytelling-based programs such as the Kindness in Community Fund. It is a direct peer to RISE TOGETHER in youth-focused mental health and peer-led connection work.
• Active Minds: Active Minds is the largest nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to mental health education and support for young adults, with peer-led chapters in hundreds of high schools and colleges. It directly competes with RISE TOGETHER in the youth mental health awareness and peer-led prevention space.
• Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise delivers school-based prevention and mental health programs (e.g., Say Something, Start With Hello) targeting K-12 students. It is a direct peer to RISE TOGETHER in the school-based youth prevention and mental health awareness category.
• SAFE Project: SAFE Project is a national nonprofit addressing the addiction epidemic through prevention, treatment, and recovery support, and is already listed as a RISE TOGETHER partner organization. It is a direct peer in the youth and community substance use prevention space.

Broad incumbents

• Child Mind Institute: Child Mind Institute provides clinical care, education, and research for children and adolescents with mental health and learning disorders, including school-based educator resources. It is a broader incumbent that overlaps with RISE TOGETHER's educator and youth mental health support work.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization, with a national network of affiliates, state organizations (including NAMI Wisconsin), and signature programs like NAMI On Campus and Ending the Silence. It is a broader incumbent that overlaps with RISE TOGETHER's educator/youth advocacy training and mental health awareness programming.
• Mental Health America: Mental Health America is a national community-based nonprofit addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and the general public, with programs for schools, workplaces, and communities. It is a broad incumbent operating in the same mental health awareness and education space as RISE TOGETHER.

Emerging players

• Youth MOVE National: Youth MOVE National is a youth-led organization focused on youth and young adult voice in mental health systems, including peer support and advocacy. It is an emerging peer to RISE TOGETHER in the youth peer-led mental health and connection space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/weallrisetogether
• Facebookfacebook.com/weallrisetogether
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rise-togetherwi
• Instagraminstagram.com/risetogether_official
• Xtwitter.com/RiseTogetherWI
• TikToktiktok.com/@risetogether_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 RISE TOGETHER