StepUP Houston — Seed Funding | The Change Lab

Imagine the possibilities

We make it easy for neighbors to get involved and empower the silent majority. One hub. Clear steps. Actions that fit your time.

Donate See how it works Start a Team
What is StepUP?

StepUP Houston

A simple, mobile‑first way to match your available time to meaningful action — on the couch, off the couch, and using your superpower.

Why this works: Most people want to connect across differences; they just need simple, safe on‑ramps. Proof: More in Common — The Connection Opportunity
How StepUP works

On the Couch

Watch a short skills video or read a quick article you can use tomorrow.

Off the Couch

Join a 30‑minute meet‑up or talking circle. Try one simple DIY action nearby.

Use Your Superpower

Lead a workshop, organize with neighbors, or volunteer your skills.

What your gift makes possible

  • $50 — General operations
    Web hosting, content management, and core tools that keep StepUP running.

  • $250 — Community development
    Curating local actions, onboarding partners, and neighborhood outreach.

  • $5,000 — People power
    Human resources to coordinate partners, moderate submissions, and support neighbors taking first steps.

  • $10,000 — Fund one complete focus area
    Democracy, Basic Needs, Health, Education, Environment, or Community—research, curation, 25+ actions, and QA for a quarter.

  • $15,000 — Partner portal
    Self‑serve org portal (tagging, moderation, basic analytics) so neighbors see more fresh, local opportunities.

Fiscal sponsor: Impact Hub Houston. Donations are tax‑deductible; receipts issued via BetterUnite.

Start a Team
  1. Create your team (2 minutes): Start a Team. Name it, add 1–2 lines, save.
  2. Send the invite email (3–5 minutes): Open a prefilled email and paste the template below. Include the donate link on its own line:
    https://app.betterunite.com/thechangelab/donate?utm_source=site&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=stepup_houston
  3. Share (2 minutes): Post one note from Social media resources and text 2–3 friends.
  4. Know a good activity? Email it so we can share it with our community: add2@thechangelab.net
Invite email template

Invite email template 

Subject: Imagine the possibilities

Hi [Name],

Imagine the possibilities when getting involved in your community is as easy as checking your phone.

Houston has thousands of organizations creating real opportunities—community gardens, voting drives, skill-sharing workshops, mutual aid. The problem isn’t a lack of ways to help; it’s that finding the right ones for your time and interests can feel impossible.

Imagine if that changed.

Picture Houston when:
• Your Tuesday evening free time connects you with neighbors planning a community garden—and you meet three people who love fresh tomatoes as much as you do.
• Your Saturday becomes a four-hour volunteer shift at the Houston Food Bank—hands-on help that moves real food to real families.
• You sign up for an online e-course, learn a new skill, and bring it into your school, block, or faith community the following week.
• Your 15 minutes before bed is a short video that gives you insights and skills you can bring into your community.

That’s the Houston we’re building with StepUP.

StepUP is a simple, mobile-first way to match your available time to meaningful action. Whether you have 5 minutes on the couch, 30 minutes off the couch, or hours to use your superpower—we connect you to the energy, ideas, and efforts already making Houston stronger.

Why this matters: Most people want to connect across differences; they just need simple, safe on-ramps.
https://moreincommonus.com/publication/the-connection-opportunity/

This quarter, your investment builds:
• $50 — General operations (web hosting, content management)
• $250 — Community development (curation, onboarding partners, neighborhood outreach)
• $5,000 — People power (coordinating partners, moderating submissions, supporting neighbors)
• $10,000 — One complete focus area (Democracy, Basic Needs, Health, Education, Environment, Community)
• $15,000 — Partner portal (self-serve posting with tags, moderation, and basic analytics)

Give now:
https://app.betterunite.com/thechangelab/donate?utm_source=site&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=stepup_houston

After you invest: the campaign page gives you one-click share options. Please take 30 seconds to invite one friend who’d like to see our communities thrive.
https://app.betterunite.com/thechangelab/donate?utm_source=site&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=stepup_houston

Community involvement is fun, rewarding, and a great way to meet new people. We’re building the infrastructure to make it effortless.

Share this message (copy/paste):
Imagine if community involvement was as easy as checking your phone. The Change Lab is building that future in Houston—join me:
https://app.betterunite.com/thechangelab/donate?utm_source=site&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=stepup_houston

The Change Lab is fiscally sponsored by Impact Hub Houston.

With gratitude,

[Your Name]
[Your Team Name] — StepUP Houston
[Your Email]
[Your Phone] (optional)
Social media resources

Short (X / Threads)
Stop doomscrolling. Start neighbor‑building. I’m backing The Change Lab’s StepUP Houston. 60 seconds to act:
https://app.betterunite.com/thechangelab/donate?utm_source=site&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=stepup_houston

Alt short (silent majority)
The silent majority wants in. Give them a clear first step. I gave to StepUP Houston — join me and share:
https://app.betterunite.com/thechangelab/donate?utm_source=site&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=stepup_houston

Instagram / Facebook
No doomscroll. Do something real. StepUP Houston is one simple place to take a small step on your time — learn on the couch (5 min), try a short meet‑up, or use your superpower (lead, volunteer your skills, organize). I contributed — add your support and tag one friend who cares about Houston:
https://app.betterunite.com/thechangelab/donate?utm_source=site&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=stepup_houston

LinkedIn
Most people want to contribute; they just need simple, safe on‑ramps. I’m supporting The Change Lab’s StepUP Houston — a plain‑language, mobile‑first hub that matches your available time to meaningful action (on the couch, off the couch, or using your superpower). If this resonates, add your support and share:
https://app.betterunite.com/thechangelab/donate?utm_source=site&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=stepup_houston

Nextdoor / neighborhood email
Ready to do one real thing this week? StepUP Houston helps neighbors find small, local actions that fit your time — learn a bit on the couch, try a short meet‑up, or volunteer your skills. I gave today — join me:
https://app.betterunite.com/thechangelab/donate?utm_source=site&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=stepup_houston

Text / WhatsApp
No doomscroll. Do something. I just gave to StepUP Houston — join me? Even $10 helps, and sharing takes one click:
https://app.betterunite.com/thechangelab/donate?utm_source=site&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=stepup_houston

Shareable images (click to download)

Neighbors greeting — share image Volunteers prepping — share image Neighbors in conversation — share image Hands together — share image

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