We Are More Than a Membership: It’s Access
People ask us all the time: “If you’re a nonprofit, why do you charge?”
Fair question. Here’s the answer because we provide real value. And real value costs something.
At Emerge and Rise, we’re not a coworking space. We’re a nonprofit venture development organization. Our focus is helping small and growing businesses build real structure, strategy, and staying power. That includes giving them access to physical space, professional services, and human support.
We don’t run on hype. We run on doing the work. And the work takes time, space, and resources — the same things we provide to our members every day.
Not Just a Place to Sit
There are plenty of spaces and organizations in San Antonio where you can get a desk, a coffee, and Wi-Fi. That’s not what we’re selling. In fact, most of our members don’t come to us for a place to sit. They come for answers, direction, and connection.
We support the business owner who’s already launched but needs help tightening operations. The nonprofit founder is trying to scale a community program. The woman running a full-time hustle from her home office who now needs a mailing address, a podcast room, or a professional space to meet with partners.
Our memberships provide the infrastructure behind their success.
What You’re Really Paying For
You’re not just paying for space only. You’re paying for access to a business address, legal support, compliant mail handling, and a team that doesn’t just hand you forms but walks you through what they mean.
We help members:
Register their LLC or nonprofit correctly
Set up as their registered agent so they stay protected
Get their first contract or apply for local grants
Host their first professional meeting or podcast
Organize their back office so they stop winging it
Yes, we have desks and rooms. But more importantly, we build momentum.
Why a Nonprofit Charges
We’re a nonprofit, but that doesn’t mean we’re free. It means we reinvest every dollar into the mission — not into shareholders, not into bonuses, not into fluff.
Our team is made up of real people doing real work, advising, coaching, handling logistics, and keeping the lights on. We subsidize what we can, but if we gave everything away, we’d disappear — and so would the resources local entrepreneurs count on.
Charging a modest fee lets us stay independent, community-led, and focused on those who are serious about growing.
We charge because you matter — and we want to be here next month to help you again.
What Makes Us Different
We’re not chasing unicorn startups. We don’t host pitch competitions. And we’re not building “a vibe.”
We’re building relationships with entrepreneurs who are trying to do the hard thing: grow a business that supports their family and community. We serve the ones who get left out of the trendy stuff: the Spanish-speaking founder, the side hustler, or the veteran in transition.
Most importantly, we listen. Then we show up with structure, not speeches.
Final Word
If you’re looking for a trendy place to take selfies with your laptop, we’re probably not it.
But if you’re looking for a partner who can help you stabilize, grow, and stay in business — we’re here. We’re local. We’re human. And we’re ready.
📣 Membership That Moves You Forward
Whether you need a business address, a registered agent, or a space to grow — we offer practical support, not just a place to sit. > Join us and get to work.
Your donations make our work possible.
When you give to Impact, you provide resources that transform the community.
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