Can Monthly Cash Payments Make Our Economy More Equitable?

From Sonali Kolhatkar / Yes! Magazine: Guaranteed income programs aim to reduce poverty by providing cash to those in need with no strings attached. One of these programs in New York City, The Bridge Project, focuses on helping women of color who are mothers.

Read the original story here.

Issue Areas:

Alternative Forms of Income, Childcare, Poverty Reduction Measures, Universal Basic Income, Wellbeing Economics

Impact Areas:

Equity, Health and Wellness

Actors:

Nonprofit / NGO, Philanthropy and Social Impact Investors

Communities Served:

BIPOC Communities, Caregivers, Womxn

Strategies:

Changing Narratives, Easing Economic Burdens for Individuals

Success Factors:

Addressing Underlying Issues, Building Distribution Systems, Eliminating Barriers, Empowering People, Expanding Access, Help Rather Than Punishment, Meeting People Where They Are At, Providing Cash Instead Of Goods/Services

Geographic Region:

North America

Countries:

United States

Date:

February 11, 2022

More Resources:

Results From The City That Just Gave Away Cash

From Emma Peaslee / NPR: A guaranteed income pilot program in Stockton, California, resulted in improved mental health and even increased full-time employment rates. The extra cash gave recipients who were struggling with poverty the mental and financial bandwidth to...

Conversation with Deepa Iyer

Deepa Iyer is the co-founder of Ayeko Farms, an initiative focused on sustainable agriculture and building community resilience through farming practices. She works to promote environmental sustainability and social equity by fostering deeper connections between communities and the land. Deepa...

Conversation with Jack Henderson

Jack Henderson is a digital democracy researcher with RadicalxChange Foundation, the ERC’s BlockchainGov project, and the Coalition Of Automated Legal Applications. He holds a degree in economics from Princeton University. Jack Henderson spoke with Ashley Hopkinson on February 21, 2024....

How tax credits and social finance are building a healthy future for Nova Scotians

From Diane Berard / Future of Good: Novia Scotia, Canada, created community economic development investment funds with a 35% tax credit to investors to help small businesses that need capital but don’t qualify for bank loans. The cooperative FarmWorks brings...

These Local Governments Are Using Federal Aid to Cancel Medical Debt

From Oscar Perry Abello / Next City: With funding from city governments, the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt acquires and cancels medical debt by negotiating directly with hospitals. The only requirement is being under 400% of the federal poverty line and...

How financial counseling at the pediatrician’s office can help families thrive

From Pien Huang / NPR: In an effort to improve child healthcare, a program at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center matches low-income families with financial coaches when they come in for their child’s appointments. The coaches help them address financial stressors,...