Together We Rise
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| Together We Rise | |
|---|---|
| Name | Together We Rise |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Blake Mycoskie |
| Headquarters | Santa Monica, California |
| Area served | United States |
| Focus | Child welfare, Foster care, Adoption |
Together We Rise is a nonprofit organization focused on improving outcomes for children and youth in foster care through advocacy, direct services, and public awareness campaigns. Founded in the 21st century, the organization engages with a network of charities, entertainers, corporations, and public figures to mobilize donations and resources on behalf of children awaiting adoption and youth transitioning out of care. Its programs span material support, legal assistance, and mentorship initiatives designed to reduce barriers faced by foster youth.
History
Together We Rise was established in the late 2000s amid rising public discourse around foster care reform and child welfare systems influenced by debates linked to the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, and advocacy movements emerging from high-profile cases like the Elian González affair and legislative attention after events such as the 2008 financial crisis. Early supporters included celebrities and entrepreneurs from the entertainment sectors of Los Angeles, philanthropic networks connected to Silicon Valley, and nonprofit coalitions historically aligned with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Children's Defense Fund, and Save the Children. The charity's launch echoed campaigns by prominent figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, and Brad Pitt who had publicly engaged with adoption and child welfare narratives, while organizational partnerships drew on models used by entities such as AmeriCares, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity.
From its inception, Together We Rise pursued visibility through campaigns that utilized celebrity endorsements reminiscent of initiatives led by Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé Knowles, and George Clooney. The organization expanded programming during policy shifts and civic debates influenced by institutions such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, advocacy coalitions similar to National Foster Youth Institute, and legal frameworks shaped by the Family First Prevention Services Act.
Mission and Programs
The mission centers on improving stability, permanency, and well-being for children in foster care, mirroring aims articulated by legacy organizations like Child Welfare League of America and Court Appointed Special Advocates. Major programs include material drives, scholarship funds, legal aid partnerships, and transitional housing support patterned after efforts by United Way, YMCA of the USA, and Goodwill Industries International. Signature initiatives involve donation campaigns comparable to drives organized by Feeding America and distribution partnerships using logistics models from American Red Cross and Direct Relief.
Program delivery relies on collaborations with adoption agencies such as Catholic Charities USA, Bethany Christian Services, and Spence-Chapin Services for Families and Children, and engages volunteer networks modeled after VolunteerMatch and Points of Light. Educational and vocational support mirrors scholarship frameworks found at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation programs, while mentoring structures echo the mentorship models of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Impact and Outcomes
Quantitative and qualitative outcomes reported by the organization align with impact metrics commonly used by nonprofits like Charity Navigator and GuideStar. Reported outcomes include numbers of backpacks, winter coats, and care packages distributed to foster children, youth placed into permanent homes, and youth receiving college or vocational scholarships. Longitudinal impacts are assessed using methods similar to those employed by researchers at institutions like Harvard University, University of California, Los Angeles, and policy analysts at Urban Institute.
Independent evaluations and anecdotal accounts cite improvements in youth stability and access to educational resources similar to findings reported in studies by Casey Family Programs and policy briefs from Child Trends. The organization also reports reductions in barriers to adoption consistent with interventions documented by Annie E. Casey Foundation and First Focus.
Partnerships and Funding
Funding sources include corporate philanthropy, celebrity-driven campaigns, foundation grants, and individual donors similar to revenue streams of United Way Worldwide, Ford Foundation, and Walmart Foundation. Corporate partners have included retail and logistics companies employing supply-chain partnerships modeled after collaborations seen between Target Corporation and Feeding America, or Amazon.com and disaster relief organizations. Celebrity ambassadors and entertainment industry alliances resemble endorsement-driven fundraising campaigns undertaken by figures such as Ellen DeGeneres and Demi Lovato.
Foundation support and grantmaking have involved trusts and philanthropic vehicles comparable to The Rockefeller Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and David and Lucile Packard Foundation in structure, while collaborative grant projects reflect joint initiatives like those of Kaiser Permanente and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on youth health and welfare.
Organizational Structure and Governance
The organizational structure follows a nonprofit governance model with a board of directors, executive leadership, program staff, and volunteers, reflecting governance norms similar to BoardSource guidance and filing practices required by the Internal Revenue Service for 501(c)(3) entities. The board consists of professionals drawn from sectors such as philanthropy, law, social services, and entertainment, echoing boards of organizations like Save the Children USA, UNICEF USA, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Compliance, transparency, and accountability practices align with standards promoted by watchdogs and accrediting bodies like Charity Navigator, GuideStar (Candid), and state-level charity regulators such as offices of the Attorney General of California and New York Department of State.