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What happens when people win this basic income raffle? They have time to find meaning in their lives

Julia Hotz

December 02, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Germany, Berlin

A nonprofit in Berlin tests the success of the Universal Basic Income structure, which is founded on the idea that a monthly stipend awarded to all individuals can create an invigorated labor force and allow people to do what they love. The organization called Mein Grundeinkommen (My Basic Income), has found that recipients of the monthly cash stipend have become less anxious and more curious and willing to reimagine their dream job.

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Free the Floodplains!

Yen Duong

November 11, 2019 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

There is a unique, homegrown local flood buyout program in Charlotte, NC that helps homeowners on floodplains relocate safely and with financial security. This came as a result of the city and county of Charlotte forming a joint storm water utility in the 1990's, which generated money by fixing aging pipes and other storm water needs—funding the local “Quick Buy” program. This gets the aid to the homeowners much quicker than FEMA money does and has since relocated 650 families and saved $25 million in losses.

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In some states, the census is an investment. Not Connecticut.

Mark Pazniokas

October 30, 2019 |

The Connecticut Mirror |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Connecticut

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving granted $448,400 to 20 community organizations to support voter registration and the census. Connecticut did not earmark any money in the state budget for the census. Public libraries will use grant money to hire staff to help residents complete the census online, the method being encouraged due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The census is tied to federal aid and political representation so advocates warn that, despite being a federal responsibility, state funds are needed to support nonprofits and foundations working to ensure an accurate count of Connecticut residents.

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Employers Try a New Perk: Matching Student Loan Payments With 401(k) Contributions

Anne Tergesen

October 10, 2019 |

Wall Street Journal |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Companies across the United States implement creative responses to help their employees save for retirement while they tackle student debt. Some companies pay a set monthly sum -- often between $100 to $200 per month -- towards employee student debt; others offer 401(k) contributions to ensure employees build a retirement savings while they have to focus on paying off loans.

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Income Experiment Offers Stockton Residents a Glimpse at the California Dream

Sammy Caiola

October 03, 2019 |

CapRadio |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Stockton

Stockton, California is piloting a closely-watched experiment with Universal Basic Income, providing a $500 allowance each month for 18 months to 125 low-income families. Preliminary data captured during the first 5 months of the pilot show how recipients spend the money, but participants report benefits beyond the financial, like lower stress levels.

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Farmers of Color Find New Allies

Randy Mueller

October 01, 2019 |

The Innovator |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Petersburg, New York

The online Reparations for Black-Indigenous Farmers map connects farmers across the United States in an effort to support those who have been historically oppressed. Those who participate voluntarily pay reparations to the over 50 Black and Indigenous farmers’ projects that have been listed as a way of (re)building centuries of discrimination.

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‘I just want more for them': New program aims to boost families' economic mobility

Lauren Lindstrom

September 09, 2019 |

The Charlotte Observer |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

Economic mobility becomes far more attainable when children grow up in a "high-opportunity" area as opposed to a "low-opportunity" area: housing within the city with access to transportation and amenities, higher-performing schools, and lower crime rates. An enhanced voucher program through the Charlotte Housing Authority offers families housing vouchers to move into high-opportunity areas. They also offer incentives to landlords who accept the vouchers, such as up to $1,000 to repair damage beyond normal wear and tear. The program is still new, and it will take generations to see its affects.

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$1,000 a month, no strings attached

Robert Samuels

September 01, 2019 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Mississippi

A pilot program in Jackson, Mississippi called Springboard to Opportunities is providing 20 single, African-American mothers living in public housing with $1000 a month, with no stipulations on how that money should be spent. The experiment so far has allowed mothers to save money, avoid predatory loans, pay off loans, and consider classes and higher education.

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Muslims bailout fund raises nearly $150,000 to reunite migrant families

Aysha Khan

August 28, 2019 |

Religion News Service |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

A campaign called Muslims for Migrants by the Islamic nonprofit CelebrateMercy raises money to pay bond fees for immigrant parents who are detained while awaiting trial. The funds are donated to another nonprofit called the National Bail Fund Network, and so far the funds have released ten parents back to their families. The director of CelebrateMercy says that the forced separation of families is against everything taught by the Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic faith.

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After losing father, activist leads fight against farmer suicide

Sunaina Kumar

August 18, 2019 |

Al Jazeera |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Punjab

In a country where 16,000 or more farmers die from suicide, Kiranjit Kaur founded Kisan Mazdoor Khudkushi Peedit Parivar Committee to support families of suicide victims in India. After her own father took his life after failing to pay off crippling debt, Kaur's support group records information on the families' sources of income, and the status of land ownership and debt in order to help them access government schemes such as pensions and scholarships.

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