Cincinnati Guaranteed Income Pilot Boosts Wages, Savings, and Community Engagement

A Cincinnati guaranteed income pilot has delivered promising results, with participants reporting increased wages, savings, and deeper community involvement. Starting in 2021, 647 individuals received $400 in unrestricted cash each quarter over the course of two years as part of an initiative to explore the impact of direct cash on economic mobility. People qualified for the pilot if they lived in the City of Cincinnati, with recruitment focused in communities experiencing financial hardship.

The UpTogether Cincinnati Fund received funding from the LKC Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Google.org Charitable Giving Fund, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and the Greenlight Fund.

“This pilot clearly demonstrates that direct cash investments in individuals and families can be a powerful tool to help people move ahead and build stronger communities,” said Jesús Gerena, CEO of UpTogether, the national nonprofit managing the program. 

“I’m legally disabled, I have two children. I’ve not been able to hold a steady job because of my health. Those funds came at miracle times,” said Ashlee Williams, 37. “I have dreams. I have aspirations. We’re not lazy families. We just need that leg up.”

Participants voluntarily answered surveys on the UpTogether Connect platform throughout the two-year pilot. 

Key Findings:

• Increased Income: Participants saw a rise in wages. The number of people earning income from wages increased 42% to 50%, with individual bi-weekly incomes growing by an average of $20 and household bi-weekly incomes rising by $50.
• Building Wealth: Many participants used their cash to build wealth through savings and asset investments like cars and homes. Average savings grew by $100, while assets increased by an average of $380.
• Debt Reduction: 11% of participants reduced their reliance on formal debt, such as credit cards or payday loans, for emergency expenses. 
• Community Engagement: The initiative spurred community involvement. One in five participants took on leadership roles or became involved in community organizing, civic, or political engagement during the fund's duration. 

Pamela Kaufman, who has two children at home, said direct cash wasn’t the only benefit of the experience. She said she found confidence from networking with other people receiving funds. 

“UpTogether was the place that kept me from shutting down. I was able to learn from other people that I could overcome barriers,” Kaufman said. She is now running a food pantry that she previously frequented in harder times.

UpTogether is currently working with Hamilton County to invest in more than 200 youth leaving the foster care system. Since its launch in Ohio in 2017, UpTogether has disbursed over $2.1 million to nearly 4,000 families in the Cincinnati area.