Step Up for Action is a lobbying and advocacy organization that emphasizes voter engagement, policy advocacy, and an “education and economic justice program” in New Orleans, Louisiana. ¹ Step Up for Action works closely with its sister organization, Step Up Louisiana, a charitable organization ² that engages in “long-term base-building work.” ³

Programs

The organization’s key programs include voter engagement, policy advocacy, and an education and economic justice program. ¹ The voter engagement program encourages voter participation and voter mobilization initiatives. It also includes educational opportunities such as educating voters about the electoral process and candidates for office. ¹ The organization has also hosted several candidate forums for state legislative candidates, ⁴ local constable candidates, and federal congressional candidates. ⁵

Step Up for Action’s policy advocacy program focuses on issues such as community schools and worker’s rights by engaging with local stakeholders and policymakers. The education and economic justice program aims to facilitate educational policy change by working with parents and educators. The program also aims to improve working conditions by working to increase workers’ rights and implement fair wages. ¹

Financials

In 2023, the organization reported total revenue of just over $170,000, total expenses of about $156,000, and net assets of just under $129,000. ⁶ In 2022, Step Up for Action reported total revenue of just over $193,000, total expenses of about $98,000, and net assets of about $114,000. ¹

In 2023, the organization spent about $52,000 on each of its core initiatives of voter engagement, policy advocacy, and education and economic justice, ⁶ compared to only $16,000 on each of its core initiatives in 2022. ¹

Leadership

Ben Zucker is the co-founder and co-director ⁶ of both Step Up for Action and Step Up Louisiana. Earlier in his career, he worked with a local chapter of Fight For 15, a left-of-center movement seeking to raise the federal minimum wage, ⁷ as a lead regional organizer. ⁸ Zucker earned a degree in public health from Tulane University. ⁸

Maria Harmon is also the co-founder and co-director of Step Up for Action ⁶ and Step Up Louisiana. ⁸ Previously, she worked with the Louisiana Democratic Party. She attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge and earned a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science. ⁸

1. Step Up For Action, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/815237259_202212_990EO_2024011122223818.pdf.
2. “Step up for Action.” Step Up for Action. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.stepupforaction.org/.
3. “What We Do.” Step Up Louisiana. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.stepuplouisiana.org/what-we-do.
4. Step Up For Action. “Candidate Forum.” Facebook, April 18, 2025. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=972455211745070&set=a.392548133069117.
5. Step Up For Action. “Candidate Forum.” Facebook, October 12, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=841185351538724&set=a.392548133069117.
6. Step Up For Action, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2023. https://irs-efile-renderer.instrumentl.com/render?object_id=202423189349204772.
7. “Organizer of the Month.” Bayou Brief, October 7, 2023. https://www.bayoubrief.com/organizer-of-the-month/.
8. “Staff and Leadership.” Step Up Louisiana. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.stepuplouisiana.org/team.