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 Massachusetts based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our EIN is 42-2212049. All contributions to Shares in America, Inc. are tax deductible and devoted to supporting our mission. We have no paid staff, all positions are volunteer.

Our Mission and Activities

Our mission is to research, educate and promote universal basic income in the US. Some of our activities include:

publishing high quality economic analysis of UBI related topics
publishing a blog on UBI topics
polling politicians and candidates to clarify their position on UBI and publishing this information
organizing citizen actions in support of UBI

Our Core Principles

We support any widespread income enhancement program that helps reduce poverty and income inequality. Such a programs include basic income, negative income taxes, and universal basic income among others.

"Shares in America" favors such a program designed around six core principles:

Universal

Every adult receives Shares. Children could receive a benefit through an individual savings account established in their name. Benefits are individual-based rather than household-based, similar to Social Security.

Unconditional

Eligibility is not based on income, wealth, employment status, or any other requirement. There is no means testing and no work requirement.

Cash

Benefits are paid in cash, allowing individuals and families to decide for themselves how best to meet their needs.

Periodic

Shares would be paid on a regular basis, most likely monthly, although quarterly or annual payments are also possible.

Not Counted as Income

Shares should not be included as income for federal taxes or federal means-tested programs. States could be encouraged through legislation and funding incentives to adopt the same treatment.

Substantial

Shares should be sufficient to keep an individual from experiencing extreme poverty. In the US that means at least $1,000 per month. The amount should be adjusted for inflation and for changes in the labor market that change income distribution.

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.

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

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.

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.

How We Get There

Here's how Shares in America, Inc. our non-profit, will work to help make UBI a reality:

Build a Movement

Lasting change requires broad public support. We aim to help build a coalition that includes workers, retirees, faith communities, civic organizations, and others who recognize the need for a more inclusive economy.

Know Where Candidates Stand

While this organization cannot endorse candidates, we can educate the public, survey elected officials and candidates about our goals, and share their responses with supporters.

Advance Related Reforms

Shares is part of a broader effort to ensure that all Americans benefit from our nation's growing prosperity. Related reforms include reducing the influence of money in politics and creating a fairer tax system. Reforms that strengthen democratic accountability can help create the political conditions needed to enact Shares.

Track Voting Records

Politicians should be accountable for their actions, not just their promises. We will work to track and publicize how elected officials vote on issues related to our mission.