Start with your community
Tell us where you are, who you hope to organize with, and what local need you want to understand before choosing a project.
Build a UCRI chapter where you live
Bring thoughtful, student-led action into your school or community, starting with listening, a realistic first idea, and a conversation with UCRI.
Local leadership, shared standards
A chapter can help people in another location organize around UCRI's mission while staying close to the needs and relationships in their own community.
Begin as a proposed chapter
Sending an email or gathering friends does not create an official chapter. UCRI must first understand the people, place, project idea, safeguarding needs, and how its name would be used, and then confirm the chapter in writing.
From a local idea to an approved first project
The process should feel human and careful: understand the setting, share the idea, talk through responsibilities, and launch only after confirmation.
Share a thoughtful first idea
A good first project is focused, realistic, and shaped by the people it is meant to support, not by assumptions from far away.
Talk it through with UCRI
We will use an introductory conversation to clarify safety, use of the UCRI name, fundraising expectations, records, and what support is realistic.
Launch after confirmation
Your group becomes an official UCRI chapter only after UCRI confirms the plan in writing. Until then, describe it as a proposed chapter.
What to include in your email
A complete first note helps UCRI understand your setting and plan without asking you to send private documents or sensitive personal information.
- Your full name and preferred contact information
- City, state or region, and country
- School, community group, or organization
- Your current role or grade, if relevant
- Why you want to build a UCRI chapter
- Who may be part of the founding team
- An adult advisor or guardian contact if the organizer is under 18
- A local need you want to understand
- A realistic first-project idea and rough timing
- Availability for an introductory conversation
Ready to introduce your idea?
Open the prepared email, replace each prompt with your information, and send it to UCRI. Starting the conversation does not create an official chapter or authorize fundraising in UCRI's name.
Start your chapter emailOr write to contact@ucrinitiative.comThe strongest first team is dependable, not huge
A few people who communicate well, follow through, and ask careful questions can be a better foundation than a large sign-up list with no shared plan.
If the organizer is under 18, include an adult advisor or guardian who can join the introductory conversation and help with local permissions and safety.
Tell UCRI where you want to begin
The prepared email includes every detail the team needs for a useful first reply.
Start your chapter email