Discover our School of Hope teachings
THE CHANGEMAKER PRIZE
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change.I am changing the things I cannot accept”
We are leaders from the largest grassroots organizing moments in recent US history. Our goal is to demystify the path we’ve walked, helping new people and new causes make their way through the obstacle courses of bill drafting, committee hearings, and vote-whipping that exist in every state.
Apply to Rise Justice Labs, our 12-week accelerator program
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Join Rise Justice Labs
Rise Justice Labs is a first-of-its-kind civil rights accelerator with:
Win Seed Funding
Receive $5,000 in seed funding to support your advocacy work.
Learn How to Pass a Law
Join a highly selective 12-week accelerator program following the Hope-a-nomics curriculum with weekly lectures from practitioners at the top of their game in politics, storytelling, and organizing.
Draft Your Bill
Research and write your own bill with technical support from pro bono attorneys and experienced Rise staff members who have successfully passed their own laws.
Meet Legislators
Gain access to Rise’s network of professional lobbyists, attorneys, lawmakers, funders, celebrity supporters, and media contacts.
Launch a Campaign
Get hands-on coaching from our team of leaders from the Women's March, March for Our Lives, Stop Asian Hate, and the #MeToo Movement.
Pitch Reporters
Practice telling your story to press and get opportunities to grow your supporters through earned media and cross-promotion on Rise’s social media channels.
Build Community
Help shape a unique cohort experience alongside a community of like-minded changemakers who will become your peer mentors.
Discover School of Hope today, our open-source program anyone can use
I didn’t think that I’d be able to do this program and what I realized with Rise is that anybody can do this. If you can read, you can do this program and pass a bill.
Chloe FlowerRJL Summer 2022, Music is a Human Right
Rise Justice Labs democratizes education about legislation in a way that I feel like no other program does. Even though we live in a democracy our civics education is absolutely awful, and this feels a really important gap for movement leaders to be able to push their movement to the forefront and use their own agency to pass legislation.
Sofia OngeleRJL Summer 2022
I learned a lot about myself. I gained a lot of confidence through this program, by not only learning that I can pick up on the skills necessary to do this work but also that I am very capable of executing it.
Patrick ArmstrongTeam Adoptee, RJL Winter 2021
I’m so grateful for Amanda and everyone at Rise. We’ve learned so many new skills, like how to speak to senators, which led to us passing our first law in Utah. I’ve never been so proud of anything in my life and credit a lot of our success to Rise Justice Labs support.
Paris HiltonUnsilenced, RJL 2020
After successfully organizing with March for Our Lives, a group of us reached out to Rise after seeing their legislative success around the country. At the time they had passed 20 laws unanimously. So we knew if anyone could teach us how to make true legislative change, it was going to be Rise.
Cameron MarshZero USA, RJL 2019
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Build the core skills you need for making your law come to life:
- Mapping the steps to pass a law
- Testifying at a hearing
- Creating a campaign plan
- Building a media plan and pitching
- Writing draft legislation
- Power mapping
- Launching a mass mobilization
- Running a press conference
- Securing a bill sponsor
- Relationship building
- Crafting a pitch deck
- Growing your leadership team
And more …
Meet Rise Justice Labs Alumni
Programs:
Stop institutional child abuse
Stopping institutional child abuse
2020 Cohort
Fight campus sexual violence
Coalition fighting sexual violence on campus
2020 Cohort
Allow for interstate restraining orders
Expanding access to interstate restraining orders.
2022 Winter Cohort
Ban Native mascots in schools
Seeking to ban the usage of Native mascots in schools
2022 Summer Cohort
Prevent gun deaths
Working towards zero preventable gun deaths across the country.
2019 - Pilot Program
Updating sexual assault laws
Get “stealthing” or the removal of a condom without someone’s consent to be considered sexual assault.
2023 Winter Cohort
See more alumni
"The most successful legislative reform movement in U.S. history."
Washington Post
Want to join Rise Justice Labs?
We’re looking for:
Legislative Policy Idea
You have an idea for a unique legislative campaign that addresses a clear problem and can positively impact many people.
Leadership Values
You have a demonstrated track record of achievement and a growth mindset. You’re committed to your policy issue.
Community Centered
We believe the people closest to the pain should be closest to the solution. You should be a member of the community that is impacted by the problem you are trying to solve.
Have questions?
Read our Application process and FAQs
Not ready to join a 12-week accelerator?
Try School of Hope, our open-source program
Ready to apply to Rise Justice Labs?
The deadline to apply for the 2024 Winter Cohort isFriday, September 13 at 11:59pm EST.Please note the accelerator program is extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate as low as 7% for previous cohorts.
APPLY TO RISE JUSTICE LABS
Rise Justice Labs FAQs
You don’t need to be a lawyer, a politician, or an expert. Rise Justice Labs is for everyday people to learn the ins and outs of our political system and find the most effective ways to pen your own rights into existence. We look for people who are passionate and part of the community they’re trying to help, regardless of education, background, or experience.
For applicants aiming to pass a law in the United States (e.g., federal, state, or local), it is beneficial to be located in the US. However, the accelerator program is open to applicants from all over the world whose goal is to pass a resolution through the United Nations General Assembly. Applicants should be mindful that meeting hours will take place in American Eastern Standard Time, and they are expected to be present and involved.
No – while Rise started fighting for survivor rights, we have become so much more. We encourage applicants from all kinds of advocacy backgrounds. Former Rise Justice Labs cohorts have covered adoptee rights, rural access to internet, equitable access to medication, agricultural grants, Native representation in public schools, music education, and so many more. All ideas, as long as they’re backed by research and passionate individuals, are welcome!
Time invested varies from team to team and individual to individual. At a minimum, between meetings and assignments, we expect 5-10 hours per week of commitment to complete the workload. However, you could spend an infinite amount of time on your campaign, depending on your team (or individual) capacity and momentum.
After you apply, candidates who advance will be interviewed by the Rise team and board. Those selected will join our program to pass their first law. Everyone else will be invited to apply for our next cohort or join our organizing lectures.
Week 1 – Orientation and Leadership
Week 2 – Hopeanomics 101 (How to Pass a Law)
Weeks 3 and 4 – Research Your Issue
Weeks 5 and 6 – Write Your Bill
Weeks 7 and 8 – Tell Your Story
Week 9 – Blitz! Contact Potential Sponsors
Week 10 – Launch Your Campaign
Week 11 – Pitch Your Campaign
Week 12 – Demo(cracy) Day!
Like Demo Day at tech accelerators, our Demo(cracy) Day gives participants an opportunity to pitch your legislative idea to potential supporters–including legislators who may become bill sponsors, donors, press, and volunteers.
Have more questions? Feel free to contact us
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