About Shares and Our Mission
Shares in America, Inc. is a nonprofit working to build support for a universal basic income
About Shares in America, Inc.
Shares in America, Inc. is a nonprofit organization working to build understanding and support for universal basic income in the United States. We favor a universal, unconditional cash income, while also supporting practical steps that put more money directly into people’s hands.
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We publish accessible analysis, explain proposals and evidence, and help people learn where elected officials and candidates stand. We also encourage people to speak up for policies that move us toward a more secure income for everyone.
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The organization grew out of Richard Frenkel’s book, Shares in America: The Case for a Universal Basic Income. The book makes Richard’s case for UBI and describes a particular proposal called Shares. The nonprofit shares that goal, but its work is broader than promoting the book or insisting that every step follow the Shares proposal. Earnings from the book are donated to the nonprofit.
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Shares in America, Inc. is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) organization run by volunteers.
Our Mission and Activities
Our mission is to research, educate and promote universal basic income in the US. Some of our activities include:
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publishing high quality economic analysis of UBI related topics
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publishing a blog on UBI topics
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polling politicians and candidates to clarify their position on UBI and publishing this information
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organizing citizen actions in support of UBI
Our Directors
Richard Frenkel – Director, President – Richard has work experience includes being a receiver at a shoe factory, managing in the corporate world, contract programming and finally running a small but profitable IT firm. He gained his understanding of economics both from this real-world experience but also from academic study at Boston University and MIT. He’s written reports for MIT’s Center for Policy Alternatives and several books about world and US economics, including Shares in America, The Case for a Universal Basic Income.
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Alix Smullin – Director, Treasurer - Alix is retired from a 35year career in law and finance. She Graduated from MIT with a degree in biology, graduated magna cum laude from BU School of Law, clerked in the MA Superior Court, practiced law at Goodwin Procter and Hoar, and served as Director of Major Gifts, Chief of Staff to the Dean, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 1994-2014
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Catherine Esteverena – Director, Secretary – Catherine spent most of her career in the high tech industry, as an instructional designer and then web developer. She has an Honours BA in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Toronto.
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Neal DeChillo – Director - Neal received his MSW and PhD in Social Welfare from Fordham University. He pursued his full-time academic career as a professor at Portland State University and Salem State University where he served on the faculty, as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, and Vice Provost’s for Academic Affairs.