Faqs

1. What is the corporate status of RISEUP?

ANS -Founded in 2017, RISEUP is a New York State not-for-profit corporation officially registered as the Research Initiative for the Strategic Empowerment of the Urban Populace Inc. Due to the length of the name, we obtained permission from Westchester County, NY, to operate under the “doing business as” (DBA) name RISEUP.

2. How can I make a donation to your organization?

ANS -RISEUP offers several convenient ways to support our mission through monetary donations. You can donate online using our PayPal link at paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/3685892. Alternatively, checks payable to RISEUP can be mailed directly to us at 69 Touissant Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10710.

3. Are contributions to RISEUP tax-deductible? How can I verify RISEUP’s status as a charitable organization?

ANS -Yes, contributions of cash, valuables, and in-kind donations to RISEUP are tax-deductible. The IRS authorized RISEUP to undertake charitable activities in the winter of 2021. To verify our tax-deductible status, visit the IRS Charitable Organizations Search database. Select “Organization Name” under the “Search By” drop-down menu, then enter “Research Initiatives for the Strategic Empowerment” in the search box. For location, enter Yonkers in the “City” field and New York in the “State” field. You can view our current status, recent tax returns, and determination letter there.

4. Under federal law, charitable organizations are required to allow interested parties to review the organization’s original application form (IRS Form 1023). How can I obtain a copy of the original application?

ANS -Interested parties may obtain a hard copy of RISEUP 1023 application by submitting a written request to us at our mailing address, along with a $25 check to cover copying and mailing requests, to our mailing address: 68 Touissant Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10710. Please note: to minimize the unauthorized use of our corporate documents, only hard copies of the application will be furnished to interested parties.

5. How can I volunteer with your organization?

ANS -RISEUP welcomes volunteers to assist with a variety of ongoing projects. To volunteer, please email us at contact@riseupnational.org expressing your interest. We will send you a short questionnaire to gather basic information about your background, experience, and skills. Be sure to include “Volunteer Inquiry” in the subject line of your email.

6. Can you share examples of community projects that have been enhanced by RISEUP’s resources?

ANS -RISEUP has been instrumental in leading and managing initiatives that align with our mission to address environmental and economic challenges. For example, in 2022, we brought together a coalition of environmental stakeholders across EPA Region 2 (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) to apply for the EPA Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) grant. This coalition included prominent partners such as the Pace Energy & Climate Center, NonProfit Ready, and the Community Engineering Corps (CECORPS).

Building on that success, in 2023, RISEUP spearheaded a $50 million grant application for the EPA’s Solar for All program. This coalition featured a diverse array of stakeholders, including the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability for Yonkers, Sustainable Westchester, Groundwork Hudson Valley, Beczak Environmental Education Center, Energy Justice Law & Policy Center, Yonkers NAACP, and labor organizations such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 456 and United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 279.

Beyond grant initiatives, RISEUP has hosted impactful community forums, such as DeCypher, a series of discussions featuring scholars, journalists, artists, and fiction writers that explored critical issues facing communities of color in Westchester County. Currently, RISEUP is managing a coalition to produce a documentary on the life of John “Bruce” Grit, furthering our commitment to storytelling and cultural preservation.