Unify America

Evanston, IL · Founded 2020

Facilitates educational events and experiences to promote consensus building and civic engagement across political divides

Primary audience
General Public
Work area
Civic Education
Topic
Political Unity
Contact
Brandon Ching
Website Contact

About Organization

Unify America organizes educational events and experiences designed to help Americans find common ground across political and social divides. Based in Evanston, IL, the organization focuses on consensus building, civic education, and unity through deliberation and dialogue. Founded in 2020, it operates with 30 employees and 20 volunteers, generating $2.2 million in revenue in 2024.

What They Focus On

Consensus Building

Teaching Americans how to find common ground and build agreement across political and social divides through dialogue

Civic Education

Providing educational experiences that develop civic skills, awareness, and engagement in democratic processes and community issues

Unity Promotion

Creating opportunities for diverse individuals to discover shared beliefs and work together on America's biggest challenges

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$2.2M

-310.1% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$2.7M

-92.1% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$798K

-44.8% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

30

-11.8% vs 2023

Historical financial data from IRS Form 990
Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $2,172,553 $2,701,751 $797,683 30
2023 $-1,034,061 $34,130,220 $1,444,873 34
2022 $1,656,511 $2,740,547 $36,628,098 32
2020 $2,960,000 $437,161 $2,529,051 4

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Design Experiences

    Create structured educational events and dialogue opportunities that bring diverse Americans together

  • 02

    Facilitate Dialogue

    Guide participants through deliberation processes to discover shared beliefs and common ground

  • 03

    Build Skills

    Help participants develop civic muscles and consensus building abilities through hands-on practice

  • 04

    Foster Unity

    Enable participants to work together on challenges and maintain connections across divides

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Unify America

Consensus Building Programs

Teaches the public about finding common ground and building unity through structured dialogue and deliberation processes

Civic Engagement Experiences

Creates experiences that help people build civic muscles, break out of echo chambers, and work together on challenges

Public Education Initiatives

Promotes public interest and awareness of shared beliefs and consensus through educational programming and resources

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Unify America.

Brandon Ching

Brandon Ching

Chief Technology Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $201,000
Michelle Sobel

Michelle Sobel

President
Full-time
Compensation: $176,000
Tom Haley

Tom Haley

Chief Creative Director
Full-time
Compensation: $176,000
Morgan Lasher

Morgan Lasher

Chief, U.S. Democracy Leagues
Full-time
Compensation: $151,000
Matt Byrne

Matt Byrne

Senior Director of Deliberation
1 hrs/week
Compensation: $101,000
Harry Nathan Gottlieb

Harry Nathan Gottlieb

Founder
Full-time
Compensation: $32,000
Karen Hambro

Karen Hambro

Senior Software Engineer
Full-time
Compensation: $141,000
Francine Bailey Hall

Francine Bailey Hall

Legal Counsel
Molly Ostrem

Molly Ostrem

Thought Leadership & Social Media Manager
Helena Burgueño

Helena Burgueño

Senior Creative & Video Producer
Carol Vederman

Carol Vederman

Engagement Manager
Lori Holland

Lori Holland

Community Contractor
Joshua Chittum

Joshua Chittum

Deliberation Project Manager
Arielle Mizrahi

Arielle Mizrahi

Director of Partnerships
Mary Beth Wynn

Mary Beth Wynn

Chief People Officer
Talitha Klehm

Talitha Klehm

Finance Director
Josh Holland

Josh Holland

Software Engineer
Layne Turci

Layne Turci

Director of Marketing, Higher Ed
Reddgo Long

Reddgo Long

Partnerships Manager
Kaylee Valencia

Kaylee Valencia

Partnerships Manager
Jordan Baldridge

Jordan Baldridge

Deliberation Project Contractor
Ashhad Qureshi

Ashhad Qureshi

Creative & Strategic Advisor

Milestones

2020

Organization Founded

2020

Unify America established to promote consensus building and civic unity across the nation

April 2020

Tax-Exempt Status Granted

April 2020

IRS granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status to support educational mission and programs

2020

Initial Growth Phase

2020

Generated $2.96 million in revenue with small team of 4 employees

2024

Team Expansion

2024

Grew to 30 employees and 20 volunteers serving communities nationwide

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

EH
Elizabeth Heydemann Treasurer 0.50 hrs/week
SK
Shalyn Kettering Chair 1.00 hrs/week
TC
Terrence C Hackett Secretary 0.50 hrs/week
Harry Nathan Gottlieb
Harry Nathan Gottlieb Founder
Michelle Sobel
Michelle Sobel President
Francine Bailey Hall
Francine Bailey Hall Legal Counsel
Molly Ostrem
Molly Ostrem Thought Leadership & Social Media Manager
Matt Byrne
Matt Byrne Senior Director of Deliberation
Karen Hambro
Karen Hambro Senior Software Engineer
Morgan Lasher
Morgan Lasher Chief, U.S. Democracy Leagues
Helena Burgueño
Helena Burgueño Senior Creative & Video Producer
Tom Haley
Tom Haley Chief Creative Director
Carol Vederman
Carol Vederman Engagement Manager
Lori Holland
Lori Holland Community Contractor
Joshua Chittum
Joshua Chittum Deliberation Project Manager
Brandon Ching
Brandon Ching Chief Technology Officer
Arielle Mizrahi
Arielle Mizrahi Director of Partnerships
Mary Beth Wynn
Mary Beth Wynn Chief People Officer
Talitha Klehm
Talitha Klehm Finance Director
Josh Holland
Josh Holland Software Engineer
Layne Turci
Layne Turci Director of Marketing, Higher Ed
Reddgo Long
Reddgo Long Partnerships Manager
Kaylee Valencia
Kaylee Valencia Partnerships Manager
Jordan Baldridge
Jordan Baldridge Deliberation Project Contractor
Ashhad Qureshi
Ashhad Qureshi Creative & Strategic Advisor

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$1.1M

Highest Paid

$220K

Brandon Ching

Compensated Officers

7

Executive compensation for 2024
Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Brandon Ching Director Of Software Engin $201,000 $18,914 $219,914 40
Tom Haley Chief Creative Director $176,000 $9,242 $185,242 40
Michelle Sobel President $176,000 $4,063 $180,063 40
Morgan Lasher Vice President Of Marketin $151,000 $15,226 $166,226 40
Karen Hambro Senior Software Engineer $141,000 $15,914 $156,914 40
Matt Byrne Director Of Deliberation R $101,000 $8,662 $109,662 1
Harry Nathan Gottlieb Founder & CEO $32,000 $10,301 $42,301 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$100K Grants Received
$30.6M Grants Given
2 Organizations

Top Funders

1 total
TC
The Chicago Community Trust
$100K

Top Grantees

1 total
CP
Civic Problem Solving Endowment Denver, CO
$30.6M

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

1 affiliated entity reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

1

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

1
Civic Problem Solving Endowment Inc
Denver, CO
To carry out the purposes of its publicly supported organizations
501(c) 501(c)(3)

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Contact

Get in touch with Unify America

Phone

(847) 772-4197

Social

Visit Website
1720 Central Street 221 Evanston, IL 60201