How did HandUp start?

HandUp originally started in San Francisco in August 2013 as a response to the homelessness crisis in the city. At the time, founders Rose Broome, Zac Witte, and Sammie Rayner wanted to use their backgrounds in technology and community work to make it easier for individuals to give to their homeless neighbors. Initially running HandUp as a side project, they quickly saw the need for their product not only in San Francisco, but across the country.

In 2014, HandUp launched their first partnership outside the Bay Area with South Oakland Shelter (SOS) in Metro Detroit, Michigan. Very quickly SOS became one of HandUp’s most active partners. After three years of working closely together, the HandUp platform was acquired by SOS who maintains all the HandUp systems and tools today.