University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab (2024)

Making Every Dollar Count: A Closer Look at Benefits Protection Strategies Implemented by Guaranteed Income Pilots in Illinois

The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot (CRCP) was the largest guaranteed income pilot in the country by reach with 5,006 families enrolled. Not only was the reach of the pilot impressive, CRCP administrators have notably achieved more success protecting public benefits for participants than almost any other pilot at the time. The successful protection of public benefits for the Chicago pilot is in large part due to the groundwork done in Illinois and around the country by other pilots in previous years.

Project Community Connections Inc. (2024)

Project Community Connections, Inc. Cash Transfer Pilot

In recent years, unconditional cash transfer programs have garnered global attention for their potential to positively transform existing social assistance programs and policy. While the effectiveness of such policies, often referred to as guaranteed or basic income, is increasingly documented, less is known about their effects on households experiencing homelessness, a group with particularly complex and multidimensional needs. The limited research available, however, is promising, suggesting that even one-time cash transfers can lead to fewer days spent homeless and ultimately generate net societal savings.

Urban Institute (2023)

Investing in Youth through Direct Cash Transfers

Numerous studies have found that conditional and unconditional cash transfers have positive impacts on schooling, nutrition, and employment outcomes and are associated with reductions in criminal activity, lower rates of income volatility, lower rates of food insecurity, and improved well-being. However, there remain many questions about how cash transfers work, which types work better in which settings, and whether giving funds directly to youth to prevent violence exposure can be successful. It is also unknown whether pairing after-school programming with a cash transfer can increase the likelihood of positive outcomes.

Creatives Build New York (2024)

Guaranteed Income for Artists Process Evaluation

The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on artists, many of whom were already financially precarious and had no safety net. According to a national survey of 33,000 artists and cultural workers, 62% became unemployed nearly overnight, and 95% lost creative income.

Creatives Build New York (2024)

Two Years Later: Reflections and Recommendations from CRNY

The first two resources are process evaluations that assess the design and implementation of both of our programs. These reports are intended to provide transparency into CRNY’s processes over the last two years.

CRNY GI Working Group Recommendations Report (2024)

Recommendations from Creatives Rebuild New York’s Guaranteed Income for Artists Working Group

To process what has been learned to date and align around strategic opportunities for moving forward, CRNY convened two conversations with peer administrators of programs providing unrestricted cash to artists.

Economic Security Project (2024)

A Window of Opportunity to Frame the Guaranteed Income Narrative

This resource shows how to engage a wider range of stakeholders by 1.) identifying groups that could be supportive or persuaded and 2.) crafting the messages and messengers that would…

Power of Cash Narrative Grant Showcase

Learn about how five local organizations utilize narrative change interventions to build positive community awareness around guaranteed income.

Maine Equal Justice (2024)

Build Hope: Post-Secondary Support for Parents with Low Incomes in Maine

Maine Equal Justice recently released their report on their Build HOPE project. It connects income solutions/CTC/guaranteed income work. This project has provided direct income support (flexible funding of up to $2000 a year) to about 500 parent students pursuing postsecondary education as a pathway out of poverty. The Build HOPE project also included research to explore: (1) gaps in current programs/supports for low-income parents pursuing education and trainings; and (2) the value and impact of additional flexible income for these low-income families.

Springboard to Opportunities (2024)

It Take a Nation: A Federal Policy Agenda to Ensure Income Security for Parents and Children in the South

Springboard to Opportunity released a new report created in partnership with the Center for Economic and Policy Research called It Takes a Nation. Guided by the voices of Springboard families and utilizing their definition of a prosperous and successful life, this report traces the history of economic security policies within modern US history, noting the way that state-based policies – particularly in the South – have failed to provide the means necessary for families to earn an adequate income. Using the original provisions of the American Families Plan, which ultimately failed to pass by just one vote in the Senate, and the groundbreaking work and findings of our own Magnolia Mother’s Trust, It Takes a Nation proposes a federal plan for family economic security.

Camp Harbor View (January 2024)

Direct Cash for a Better Boston

In partnership with UpTogether, CHV launched a direct cash pilot in 2021, selecting fifty families via lottery from the CHV community to receive an unconditional $583 per month. With this two-year pilot program, Camp Harbor View joined a burgeoning national guaranteed income movement. In this report learn stories and highlights from recipients.

Abt Associates (November 2023)

“My kids deserve the world”: How children in the Southeast benefit from guaranteed income

This brief is woven from the stories shared by 67 parents and guardians (63 mothers, 2 fathers, 2 grandmothers, whom we call “parents” for ease of reading) participating in city-led 12-month guaranteed income (GI) pilot programs in the Southeast—in Atlanta, Birmingham, Louisville, and Shreveport.