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April 30 2021

¡Bienvenido a la Comunidad de UpTogether!

¡Comparta y busque apoyo para lograr sus metas!

English

¿Qué es UpTogether?

UpTogether no es un programa. No es una caridad.

UpTogether es una comunidad, un movimiento y una plataforma que destaca y acelera las iniciativas que están tomando las personas, en comunidades con pocos recursos, para mejorar sus vidas.

¿Cómo funciona la comunidad UpTogether?

Compartiendo

En la plataforma en línea UpTogether usted puede crear un grupo pequeño o unirse a grupos pequeños con sus amistades, sus familiares y otras personas de su comunidad.
Todos pueden compartir soluciones; dar y recibir apoyo y ayuda para alcanzar sus metas.
Todos pueden completar encuestas y compartir los testimonios sobre sus logros.

Nosotros aprendemos e invertimos

Aprendemos de lo que usted y sus grupos están haciendo (tanto dentro como fuera de la plataforma UpTogether). También invertimos en las fortalezas e iniciativas de usted, dándole fondos* que puede utilizar para alcanzar sus metas.
Usted puede usar el dinero de la forma que quiera y no tiene que devolverlo.

Juntos transformamos

Compartimos los logros personales y comunitarios de usted para transformar los estereotipos, creencias y pólizas que están dañando a las familias en comunidades subestimadas.

¡Únase a la comunidad de UpTogether!

*Los fondos dependen de la disponibilidad y generalmente dependen de los ingresos de su hogar.

Lo que dicen los miembros de UpTogether

“Esta es una experiencia de la que usted nunca se arrepentirá. UpTogether da apoyo para que podamos compartir recursos que nos ayudan a avanzar y mejorar nuestras vidas. UpTogether es, sin duda, un apoyo para salir adelante en la vida”.

Mirna, Alburquerque

“Es ver que la gente no tiene que estar pidiendo o haciendo todo el trabajo que requiere un sistema de crédito. Sabíamos cuáles eran los retos y metas de cada uno y podíamos usar nuestros fondos UpTogether, invirtiendolos según nuestros deseos, pero también recibimos apoyo emocional al ser parte del grupo.”

Skyler, Chicago

¿Usted quiere saber más sobre UpTogether?

¡Inscríbase en una sesión informativa!

¿Usted tiene preguntas? Consulte nuestras Preguntas frecuentes.

April 30 2021

Acerca de nosotros

English

En UpTogether, creemos que cada persona es experta en su propia vida.

Después de escuchar y aprender de miles de familias durante los últimos 20 años, sabemos que las personas pueden y van a salir adelante juntas. Lo harán cuando sean reconocidas por su iniciativa y cuando reciban apoyo por su autodeterminación. También pueden y van a salir adelante juntas cuando el acceso a los recursos esté determinado por sus fortalezas, y no por sus deficiencias.

Pero se han establecido demasiados sistemas en nuestra sociedad que producen comunidades subestimadas y con pocos recursos económicos. Esos sistemas comunitarios no dejan a las personas que viven allí salir adelante económica ni socialmente. Esos sistemas crean pólizas y prácticas gubernamentales y benéficas que no consideran:

El poder de las comunidades para crear sus propias soluciones y elevar las personas a la clase media, como lo han hecho las comunidades durante cientos de años.
La creatividad de las familias para diseñar formas de manejar bien sus ingresos limitados e invertir en ellos mismos.

Las formas en que el acceso a los fondos, sin tasas de interés exageradas o condiciones impuestas, pueden alimentar las iniciativas que las familias ya están tomando para lograr sus metas y sueños.

Por eso nosotros, con nuestros miembros y socios, estamos dirigiendo un movimiento a nivel nacional. El movimiento resultará en el reconocimiento de las fortalezas y contribuciones de cada persona. También todos tendrán lo que necesitan para prosperar.

¿Usted quiere aprender más sobre UpTogether, la forma en que se fundó y por qué hemos cambiado nuestro nombre que antes era Family Independence Initiative?

Vea nuestra historia.

Nuestra Misión

Reconocemos, destacamos e invertimos en el ingenio y el espíritu empresarial de las personas que viven en comunidades subestimadas. Nos asociamos con el gobierno y la filantropía para hacer lo mismo.

Nuestra Visión

Cada persona que vive en los Estados Unidos recibirá consideración y se invierte en ellas por sus fortalezas; así las personas pueden crear sus ventajas sociales y sus activos financieros.

Nuestros Valores

Comunidad

Honramos las fortalezas e iniciativas de las personas que viven en comunidades subestimadas y promovemos el papel que tiene las redes sociales, dentro de estas comunidades. Vamos a ayudar a las personas para que logren sus metas y puedan elevar sus situaciones socioeconómicas a largo plazo.

Impacto

Probamos y adecuamos estrategias para la adopción de sistemas con métodos basados en las fortalezas. Todo para acelerar la movilidad socioeconómica de las personas que viven en la línea de la pobreza o por debajo de ella en los EE.UU.

Colaboración

Centramos las experiencias vividas por familias en comunidades subestimadas y usamos el conocimiento, la experiencia y las perspectivas de nuestra junta directiva, nuestros socios y nuestro personal; así podemos construir y hacer crecer un método basado en las fortalezas para acabar con la pobreza.

Igualdad Racial

Estamos comprometidos a ser una organización antirracista y promovemos pólizas antirracistas para eliminar la disparidad de la riqueza entre razas.

Liderazgo

Reconocemos que el liderazgo no se basa en un título y honramos las muchas formas en las que aparece. Celebramos el liderazgo que encarna todos los valores de nuestra organización. Ahora se usa un método basado en el déficit para combatir la pobreza y nosotros estamos tomando acciones contra ese método dominante.

Opciones

Confiamos en que las personas que viven en o por debajo de la línea de la pobreza sepan qué es lo mejor y sean capaces de tomar decisiones por sí mismas y por sus familias.

April 30 2021

Contact Spanish

¿Usted tiene alguna pregunta o desea ponerse en contacto con alguien de nuestro equipo?

Complete el formulario abajo.

Su pregunta puede estar en nuestra página de FAQ (preguntas frecuentes), tal vez usted quisiera verificar allí primero.

Si usted trabaja en la filantropía, el gobierno o el mundo académico y si está interesado en asociarse con nosotros, visite nuestra página de socios.

English

April 30 2021

FAQ Spanish

Preguntas frecuentes y respuestas sobre la comunidad UpTogether.

English

General

¿Qué es la comunidad UpTogether?

La Comunidad UpTogether es una plataforma en línea donde puede construir y fortalecer sus redes sociales – y obtener fondos – para que usted, sus amistades, familiares y vecinos puedan apoyarse mutuamente, alcanzar sus metas financieras y personales y salir adelante juntos. Los fondos dependen de la disponibilidad, y generalmente, de los ingres

¿Cómo funciona la comunidad UpTogether?

Compartiendo

■ En la plataforma en línea UpTogether usted puede crear un grupo pequeño o unirse a grupos pequeños con sus amistades, sus familiares y otras personas de su comunidad.

■ Todos pueden compartir soluciones; dar, recibir apoyo y ayuda para alcanzar sus metas.

■ Todos pueden completar encuestas y compartir los testimonios sobre sus logros.

Nosotros aprendemos e invertimos

■ Aprendemos de lo que usted y sus grupos están haciendo (tanto dentro como fuera de la plataforma UpTogether). También invertimos en las fortalezas e iniciativas de usted, dándole fondos* que puede utilizar para alcanzar sus metas.

■ Usted puede usar el dinero de la forma que quiera y no tiene que devolverlo.

○ Juntos transformamos

■ Compartimos los logros personales y comunitarios de usted para transformar los estereotipos, creencias y pólizas que están dañando a las familias en comunidades subestimadas.

*Los fondos dependen de la disponibilidad, y generalmente, de los ingresos de su hogar.

¿Qué hacen los grupos de la comunidad UpTogether?

Los grupos comunitarios de UpTogether funcionan igual que la mayoría de los otros círculos sociales. Los grupos comparten conexiones y oportunidades; también dan apoyo para ayudarse el uno al otro a lograr sus metas. Al poner esas experiencias en línea, los grupos de UpTogether tienen la oportunidad de:

1) fortalecer sus vínculos, 2) acceder a fondos para ayudar a lograr sus metas, 3) compartir sus ideas y soluciones con una comunidad más amplia y 4) proporcionar evidencia para transformar estereotipos, creencias y pólizas que son perjudiciales para las comunidades subestimadas.

La mayoría de las personas se unen a grupos o crean grupos Comunitarios UpTogether con personas que ya conocen. Pero algunos miembros nos han pedido que los ayudemos con la selección de otras personas para formar un grupo. Estamos trabajando para poder ofrecer un servicio que va a seleccionar las personas que formarán un grupo. Esperamos que este servicio estará disponible en el futuro cercano.

Membresía de la Comunidad UpTogether

¿Quién puede unirse a la comunidad UpTogether?

Cualquier persona que tenga 16 años o más y viva en los Estados Unidos puede unirse a la comunidad UpTogether.

¿Por qué debo formar un grupo en UpTogether?

Los grupos de UpTogether no son como los grupos de otras plataformas de redes sociales. Tienen propósitos; son intencionados y relacionales. Estos grupos también son privados y pequeños. Lo que se comparte permanece en su grupo. Los grupos UpTogether son espacios tranquilos y seguros donde usted puede desarrollar sus relaciones de la vida real.

¿Hay requisitos para unirse a un grupo?

Para unirse y/o participar en grupos UpTogether, usted debe tener al menos dieciséis (16) años y debe vivir en los Estados Unidos. Alguien del grupo tiene que invitarle a unirse. Usted no puede unirse a un grupo sin una invitación.

Inversiones UpTogether/Ofertas de fondos

¿Por qué UpTogether les da dinero a las personas?

Durante 20 años, UpTogether (antes conocido como Family Independence Initiative) ha aprendido de familias y ha invertido en familias. Así que UpTogether sabe que – contrariamente a lo que sugieren los estereotipos – las personas con ingresos limitados son trabajadoras, habilidosos e inteligentes. Esas personas están tomando acciones todos los días para lograr sus metas y están ayudando a sus amistades y familiares a hacer lo mismo. Simplemente estamos invirtiendo en lo que ya esas personas están haciendo para ayudarse a sí mismos a lograr sus metas personales y financieras más rápido. (Las ofertas de fondos dependen de la disponibilidad de fondos, y generalmente, de los ingresos del hogar).

¿Quién es elegible para recibir dinero de UpTogether?

Típicamente, las ofertas de fondos de UpTogether están disponibles para hogares que ganan del 50% al 150% del nivel federal de pobreza, que es de $10,860 – $32,580 por año para una familia de tres y es de $15,340 – $46,020 por año para una familia de cinco. Sin embargo, puede haber casos en los que haya fondos disponibles para personas fuera de estos criterios. Las ofertas de fondos no están garantizadas y dependen de la disponibilidad de fondos.

¿Cómo sé si tengo una oferta de fondos?

Cuando haya una oferta de fondos disponible para usted, recibirá un correo electrónico o mensaje de texto y una notificación en la Comunidad UpTogether junto con los términos y condiciones de la oferta. Usted puede aceptar o rechazar ofertas.

¿Cómo puedo recibir ofertas de fondos de UpTogether?

Usted puede recibir fondos de UpTogether de tres formas. Puede seleccionar el método que sea el más conveniente para usted.

1. Depósito directo: una transferencia electrónica de fondos a su cuenta bancaria.
2. Tarjeta física UpTogether: una tarjeta prepagada que usted recibirá por correo.
3. Tarjeta digital UpTogether: una tarjeta virtual que usted puede usar solamente en línea.
¿Está pensando en unirse a la comunidad UpTogether pero primero usted tiene algunas preguntas más? Inscríbase en una de nuestras sesiones de información.

¿Ya es miembro y usted tiene preguntas específicas relacionadas con su membresía?

Consulte el Centro de Información de UpTogether.

April 29 2021

Impact

Investing in People Has Huge Returns

Families Are Unique

Each individual and family is unique. They have their own challenges, strengths and goals. That’s why they appreciate our strength-based approach. It allows them to use their UpTogether cash investments in whatever way is best for them and their circumstances.

Although our members set their own goals and we cannot predict the exact outcomes, historically over two years with UpTogether (previously Family Independence Initiative), we have learned that our members – with support from their community – consistently have significant gains in their financial position.

Here are some of the outcomes we saw with our members before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increase in monthly savings account balance from $311 to $976
Increase in monthly income by 23%
Increase in retirement investment account from $602 to $1,256
Increase in total liquid assets from $759 to $2,396
Increase in monthly business income by 77% (from $164 to
$290) with 66% of new family-owned business activity
36% decrease in subsidies such as SNAP and TANF
Reported their children had excellent, good or improvement
in grades (88%)

Please Note:

It’s important to note these data represent families’ experiences from the nearly twenty year period before the coronavirus pandemic and it is difficult, if not impossible, to predict outcomes moving forward in light of COVID-19’s disruption.

To learn more about the COVID-19 work we did in 2020, read this impact report. (We were still known as Family Independence Initiative at the time the report was published.)

COVID-19 Impact Report

Years of service

Total dollars invested

Total members or people invested in

States where members live + Puerto Rico

Each pink circle represents an area of the country where an UpTogether member lives. The darker the pink circle, the more UpTogether members live there.

April 23 2021

Our Story

Why make poverty tolerable, when we can make it escapable?

Our founder, Mauricio Lim Miller, launched Family Independence Initiative (now UpTogether) in 2001, having seen firsthand the faults of the U.S. social services system. He was frustrated watching the same families cycle in and out of social service agencies, while the financial resources designed to support them did nothing to build their economic or social mobility.

As the son of a hardworking, strong and creative single mother who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, Mauricio saw that his mother, a talented dressmaker who worked hard to “make it” in America, wanted more access and opportunity for him and his sister. He was certain there was a better way to invest in people’s initiative than what his mother had experienced. He also knew firsthand the harmful stereotypes and belief systems that perpetuated biased practices and policies, undermining the pride of those being “helped” and their chances for success.

Mauricio believed if families had access to resources and community support, they would decide for themselves how to leverage them — as his mother had — and they could move up, together, out of poverty. He founded Family Independence Initiative (FII) based on this philosophy.

With an expansive data set — and a new name, UpTogether, to more clearly convey our purpose and engagement with community — we have demonstrated to some what many have always known; people can and will move up together when they are recognized for their initiative, supported for their self-determination and where access to resources is determined by strengths, not deficits.

As we celebrate 20 years since the founding of FII, our commitment to community and to disrupting the norms of a harmful, white-dominant philanthropic system remain at the forefront. But how we operate — investing in individuals and families — has changed, moving from in-person to online engagement.

Learn more about our story in Mauricio’s book, The Alternative.

Our Signature Platform

Our signature platform, the UpTogether Community, is a place where families and individuals form small groups online, collaborate and help each other achieve their goals. UpTogether members also have access to a variety of cash offers from our funding partners. Members can use the investment however they choose and don’t have to pay it back.

The UpTogether Community proved invaluable during the COVID-19 crisis when we used the platform — the only one of its kind — to distribute more than $130M quickly and directly to more than 200,000 individuals and families whose finances had taken a hit because of the pandemic.

Our Approach

Our strength-based approach acknowledges where the power and solutions really lie: in hardworking people, families and communities.

Together, we are championing a nationwide movement where every person is recognized for their strengths and contributions, and have what they need to thrive.

April 16 2021

Careers

Work with Us

At UpTogether, we believe every person is worth investing in, and that one’s income level should not dictate one’s ability to choose what is best or right for their own family.

Check out our open positions

How We Work

UpTogether is a small, mighty, and rapidly-growing team. We operate in a 100% remote office environment allowing us to work with a diverse, mission-driven, and highly-skilled team not limited by geography. Because we trust that our staff can meet the organization’s expectations, self-manage, have strong communication and meet performance goals, they are not restricted to a standard work schedule.

UpTogether is an amazing place to work. I’ve never been in a place where our opinion truly matters.

– Susy Sarmiento, Support Specialist

Our Work/Life Balance Approach

Our staff members have full lives outside of UpTogether. They are parents, friends, spouses, caregivers and so much more. With that comes the need to balance their work and personal commitments. To support staff with that, we provide the following work/life balance initiatives:

24 hours of “personal” time off annually
12 days of “wellness” time off annually
Three weeks of vacation time beginning in year one of employment and up to six weeks of vacation in year six and beyond
14 paid company holidays, including Juneteenth and Cesar Chavez Day. In addition, the organization is closed annually for winter break the day after Christmas through New Year’s Day. (Christmas Eve and Christmas are included in the paid company holidays.)
Accommodations for flexible schedules

One of the things I enjoy about UpTogether is working with talented people to apply fresh and modern technological approaches to systems in need of innovation in order to support our country’s largely ignored populations.

– C.M. Dorner, UX Designer

Staff Investment Initiatives

We are committed to ensuring all employees have access to the resources, tools, and equipment necessary to do their jobs, including:

Technology

A monthly stipend to subsidize cell phone and home internet expenses
A stipend to subsidize the purchase of a new laptop/computer once every two years
A stipend to assist with the purchase of a new cell/smartphone once every two years

Professional Development

An annual stipend for professional development and training (contingent on funding)

Compensation & Benefits

UpTogether salaries are very competitive with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) and vacation for full-time positions.

In an effort to ensure pay equity we:

Include the salary range on all job postings (both staff and contractor opportunities)
Utilize uniform pay range bands (by position)
Routinely conduct compensation audits

In addition, there is an opportunity to receive cost-of-living increases and/or merit increases annually.

Inclusion Statement

At UpTogether, we strive to create a community that embraces equity, diversity and inclusion, and we support the efforts of others to build such communities. We are committed to an inclusive work environment and are intentional about seeking a diverse pool of candidates that represents the communities with which we work.

UpTogether is committed to the principles of equal employment. We create a diverse work environment and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply for open positions.

While I have worked in the nonprofit sector with “progressive” organizations for over 20 years, this is the first organization that I have worked with that is unapologetically committed to anti-racism and racial equity. As an African-American woman, I finally feel seen, heard, and valued as a whole person. And that my success is not based on how well I can assimilate into the “normal” American work culture and/or code-switch.

– Nikki Wiggins, HR Manager

Join Our Team!

Our positions are 100% remote (must be based within the United States). A reliable internet connection and functional work environment, including a computer with video conferencing capabilities, are required. Travel is not a requirement for most positions.

View and apply for open positions.

Learn more about our values, mission and vision.

April 3 2021

Partner

UpTogether is not a program.

It is not a charity.

UpTogether is a community, a movement and a platform that highlight, invest in and accelerate the initiatives people in historically undervalued and financially under-resourced communities are taking to improve their lives.

What We Believe

At UpTogether, we believe every person is worth investing in, and that one’s income level should not dictate one’s ability to choose what is best or right for their own family.

With nearly 20 years of data — sourced directly from families — we have proven that cycling in & out of poverty is not due to a lack of individual initiative, but instead:

A misplaced focus on individual achievement (that one person can break the cycle of poverty alone) that overlooks the power of communities to lift people into the middle class, just as communities have done for hundreds of years

A lack of understanding on society’s part for how families with limited incomes achieve economic and social mobility

Limited options for people to access affordable, flexible capital — without strings attached — that would fuel their efforts to achieve goals and dreams

The “cliff effect,” which disincentivizes mobility by punishing many lower-wage workers when they get a raise by making them ineligible to continue receiving all or some of their public benefits. Most of the time, the increase in pay is not enough to cover the cost of what the benefits provided, leaving many workers in a worse financial situation than they were before.

Our community-centered, data-driven, strength-based approach is as revolutionary as it is simple.

It is inspired by the historical successes of financially under-resourced communities in America and based on the principles of respect, dignity, self-determination, equity and social connections for every individual.

Last year alone, in partnership with philanthropists, government agencies, community organizations and individual donors, UpTogether distributed nearly $130 million to over 200,000 households across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. (Our COVID-19 Impact Report highlights the ways families used their investment. We were still known as Family Independence Initiative when the report was published.)

COVID-19 Impact Report

Types of Partnerships

Philanthropy

Government & Policymakers

Researchers & Academia

Community Organizations

What People Are Saying

At first I was not sure how the UpTogether groups worked, but the site made it so simple and easy to set up my goals page and connect with others. Thanks to the UpTogether Community platform, I was able to reach out to connect with others who shared the same interest as me, quickly connecting with a local community member who shared some of the goals as me, we shared helpful resources and information with one another while providing a support system to achieve and reach set goals. Being able to provide help to a community member is very rewarding and uplifting. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be connected with others who shared the same interest as me. This has been a wonderful experience and I recommend others to give it a try. Together we can assist one another and make a difference.

– T. Jackson, UpTogether Member

For so long, anti-poverty efforts have relied on case management, ‘Go to this government agency to get financial literacy or job training. [UpTogether] is different. You’re accountable to yourself and your social network. There’s no case manager telling you how to use those dollars. The goal of [UpTogether] is, trust families, because they know what they need and the data bares that out.

Stephanie Bray, CEO of United Way California Capital Region

Together, with our members and partners, we are championing a movement to boost and sustain long-term economic and social mobility for the millions of Americans who live at or below the poverty line. Join us!

If you work in government, philanthropy, research/academia or a community organization and want to speak with our partnership team, please complete the form below.

April 2 2021

Philanthropy

Invest in your community with UpTogether

Target your funds nationally, regionally or locally.

Thank you for your interest in learning about ways to partner with UpTogether to boost and sustain long-term economic and social mobility for families with limited incomes.

We see strengths.

Since 2001, UpTogether (formerly Family Independence Initiative) has demonstrated that families in undervalued and financially under-resourced communities have the initiative and capacity to move themselves and their communities out of poverty. They don’t need a savior and they don’t need to be told what to do. What they’re looking for is someone who sees their strengths, trusts them and invests in them.

For philanthropic leaders and organizations looking to join the movement and bring the strength-based approach to their communities, UpTogether provides opportunities for both Fund Partnership to invest directly in families and Momentum Partnership to support growth of our movement.

Fund Partnership Opportunities

When your philanthropic organization joins UpTogether as a funding partner, you are making a commitment to adopt our strength-based approach — trusting families to use the investment in whatever way they choose — and leverage your learnings to effect systems change in your community and beyond.

Just as we honor the uniqueness of each of our members, we also honor the differing needs of our funding partners. As such, we offer two options, shown in the green boxes below. Whichever option you choose, you will get periodic reports to show the impact of your dollars.

Pool your dollars

With the help of our partnership staff, you can pool your investment dollars with other funding partners and leave it to UpTogether to create and manage a community offer for families in a specific geographic location or where needed most. Upon availability, this also creates an opportunity for you to collaborate with other funding partners to maximize the impact of your dollars.

Create a custom community offer

With the help of UpTogether’s partnership staff, you and your team can create one or more custom community offers, selecting offer parameters (cash payment amount/frequency) as well as eligibility criteria (specific geographic location).

Momentum Partnership

To reach our vision where every person in the U.S. is invested in for their strengths, we are constantly innovating our technology platform, engaging in nationwide narrative change work and sharpening our policy goals. As an organization that takes the lead from our members, UpTogether still acts with the nimbleness of a startup. Alongside our members, we surface new tools, projects and ideas to enhance our impact. Momentum partners provide investment that allows UpTogether to learn, grow and create sustained systems-level impact.

What UpTogether Members are Saying

“This is an experience that you will never regret. UpTogether supports sharing resources that help us get ahead and improve our lives. UpTogether is undoubtedly a support to move forward in life.”

Mirna, Alburquerque

“To see people not have to ask or go through creditory systems. Knowing what everyone’s challenges and goals were and being able to [use our UpTogether cash investments how we wanted], but also get emotional support [are benefits of] by being in the group.”

Skyler, Chicago

Ready to partner or have questions?

Contact Our Team

Learn about our collective impact.

March 19 2021

About

Espanol

At UpTogether, we believe every person is an expert in their own life.

After listening to and learning from thousands of families over the past 20 years, we know people can and will move up together when they are recognized for their initiative, supported for their self-determination and where access to resources is determined by strengths, not deficits.

But too many systems in our society have been set up to create communities that are undervalued and financially under-resourced and prevent the people who live there from moving up, both economically and socially. Those systems create governmental and charitable policies and practices that overlook:

The power of communities to create their own solutions and lift people into the middle class, as communities have done for hundreds of years
The creativity of families in designing ways to stretch their limited incomes and invest in themselves
The ways access to capital, without outrageous interest rates or strings attached, can fuel the initiatives families are already taking to accomplish their goals and dreams

That’s why together, with our members and partners, we are championing a nationwide movement where every person is recognized for their strengths and contributions, and have what they need to thrive.

Want to learn more about UpTogether,

how we were founded and why we changed our name from Family Independence Initiative?

Check out our story

Our Mission

We recognize, highlight and invest in the ingenuity and entrepreneurship of people in undervalued communities and partner with government and philanthropy to do the same.

Our Vision

All people in the United States are seen and invested in for their strengths and are able to build their social and financial assets.

Our Values

Community

We honor the strengths and initiatives of people living in undervalued communities and promote the role social networks within these communities play in helping people accomplish their goals and achieve long-term socioeconomic mobility.

Impact

We test and scale strategies for systems adoption of a strength-based approach to accelerate socioeconomic mobility for people living at or below the poverty line in the U.S.

Collaboration

We center the lived experiences of families in undervalued communities and engage the knowledge, experience and perspectives of our board, partners and staff to build and grow a strength-based approach to end poverty.

Racial Equity

We are committed to being an anti-racist organization and we promote anti-racist policies that eliminate the racial wealth divide.

Leadership

We acknowledge that leadership is not based on a title and honor the many forms in which it appears. We celebrate leadership that embodies all of our organizational values, driving us to act against the dominating deficit-based approach to fighting poverty.

Choice

We trust that people living at or below the poverty line know what’s best and are capable of making decisions for themselves and their families.

Work With Us