GetUp!
GetUp! is an independent, grass-roots community advocacy organisation which aims to build a more progressive Australia by giving everyday Australians the opportunity to get involved and hold politicians accountable on important issues.
Whether it is sending an email to a member of parliament, engaging with the media, attending an event or helping to get a television ad on the air, GetUp members take targeted, coordinated and strategic action to effect real change.
GetUp! does not back any particular party, but aims to build an accountable and progressive Australia - an Australia which values economic fairness, social justice and environmental sustainability at its core.
GetUp! is a not-for-profit organisation and relies on small donations to fund its work and in-kind donations from the Australian public. GetUp! does not accept donations from political parties or the Government.[1]
GetUp! key founders
GetUp! was founded by Jeremy Heimans and David Madden, two young Australian graduates of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government who have worked at the vanguard of the new online organising and campaigning techniques in the US.
In 2004, David and Jeremy helped start a national campaign on the decline in America's standing in the world under George Bush. This campaign gathered thousands of online supporters and millions of dollars in donations to support a national television advertising campaign. Prior to this, Jeremy and David worked on issues of global poverty, conflict, and development.
GetUp! also has a board that advises the staff. The board includes community organiser Amanda Tattersall, who helped develop the concept for GetUp!, union leader Bill Shorten, Green activist Cate Faehrmann, and technology entrepreneur Evan Thornley.[2]
2024 board
- Glen Berman Chair
- Stephen Monk Deputy Chair
- Ben Margetts
- Alan Wu
- Claire Harman
- Alexander Dirksen[3]
