Who We Are

Our Purpose

HandUp was created to use technology and the power of human relationships to fight poverty and is now part of Lighthouse’s mission to build communities that end homelessness.

What We Do

HandUp’s charitable giving platform provides nonprofits and donors in the community with a new, simple, and direct way to make an impact on poverty.

About Lighthouse

The HandUp platform is operated by Lighthouse, a Metro Detroit-based homeless services agency. Since 1984, Lighthouse has worked to end homelessness for individuals and families in crisis. Lighthouse implements housing first programming, works with a community of 70+ faith congregations to provide year-round emergency shelter, operates a variety of rental assistance programs with supportive services, and builds supportive and affordable housing. Lighthouse has successfully used the HandUp platform to empower those it serves in addressing financial barriers to housing and long-term stability, and now operates HandUp to enable agencies in Metro Detroit and beyond to do the same for their clients.

How It Started

HandUp was originally founded in August 2013 in San Francisco by Rose Broome, Sammie Rayner, and Zac Witte. The idea started as a simple side project focused on doing something positive about visible street homelessness in SF. With the support and encouragement of Tumml, Project Homeless Connect, and so many others, this idea became a full-fledged organization attracting funding from some of Silicon Valley’s most experienced investors and foundations. After working in a close partnership with Lighthouse for three years, HandUp was acquired by Lighthouse on November 1st, 2017.

Bios

Max Glick
Director of HandUp
Ryan Hertz
CEO, Lighthouse of Michigan
Jenny Poma
COO, Lighthouse of Michigan

Advisors

Rose Broome
Dennis Blender
Ben Chutz

Past Funders

Tumml

Impact America Fund

500 Startups

1776

SVAngel

Urban.us

Jason Calacanis (LAUNCH Fund)

Boris Wertz (Version One Ventures)

Arjun Banker

Michael Birch

Ron Conway

Eric Ries

Alexis Ohanian

Ariel Poler

Karl Jacob

Kathy Salmanowitz

Marc Benioff

Scott Wainner

Cyan & Scott Banister

Thomas McInerney

Leah Pearlman

Brian Armstrong

Kimber Lockhart & Ben Trombley

Diane & Steve Ciesinski

Jessy & Robbie Schingler

Social Impact Capital

Precursor Ventures

Crowdfunder

Scott Cannon

Corporate Donors

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