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  • This is what one of the world's largest experiments in basic income looks like

    July 23, 2020 |

    Rest of World |

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    Response Location: Brazil, Marica

    Mumbuca is a digital currency used in Maricà’s basic income program. Residents, with few eligibility requirements, can qualify for a monthly stipend to purchase goods and services using a smart phone or a card. The currency runs on the digital platform E-dinheiro and can only be spent in the city limits. Individuals cannot swap Mumbucas for national currency, but businesses can after a 48-hour waiting period and a 1% fee. Local currencies, which are popular in Brazil, help residents increase personal savings and, with increased stipends during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowed informal workers to stay home.

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  • The Promising Results of a Citywide Basic-Income Experiment

    July 15, 2020 |

    The New Yorker |

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    Response Location: United States, Stockton, California

    Universal basic income, or UBI, was implemented in Stockton, California through a pilot program known as SEED. Each participant was given $500 with no conditions on how to spend it. The data shows that the largest expense was food, especially as the pandemic began. Participants report being able to quit second jobs and third jobs, pay off debts, and cover medical bills. A key feature of the UBI was the absence of the requirement to be employed in order to receive the money. The basic-income pilot has caught the attention of programs across the country who reached out for advice.

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  • The Pandemic Proved That Cash Payments Work

    July 10, 2020 |

    The Atlantic |

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    Response Location: United States

    American households were able to avoid income loss when the federal government implemented an extra $600 a week for anyone facing unemployment in addition to $1200 for those who qualified, regardless of their employment status. Despite an almost total economic shutdown, the universal payments have kept poverty rates from increasing. The money has provided a security net for households while also preventing a collapse by generating economic activity.

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  • U.S. town creates local currency to boost coronavirus relief Audio icon

    July 09, 2020 |

    Thomson Reuters Foundation |

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    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Tenino, Washington

    Facing the economic strain from the financial fallout caused by the coronavirus crisis, Tenino is printing its own money like it once did in the wake of the Great Depression. The small town in Washington has issued at least $2,500 worth of wooden bills to exclusively be used for small businesses on Main Street. Thirteen residents have applied for the funds and $150 have been spent by residents on necessities as of June. Other small towns across the country have already sent inquiries to the mayor of Tenino, seeking to imitate Tenino's effort.

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  • UndocuFund SF: How San Franciscans rallied for undocumented immigrants affected by COVID-19

    July 07, 2020 |

    Mission Local |

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    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

    Community leaders led the charge in raising funds for undocumented workers, who do not qualify for stimulus and unemployment checks during the Covid-19 shutdown which has left millions of people unable to work. A collaboration of people from various groups in San Francisco formed a nonprofit, UnDocuFund SF, raising more than $1.5 million for 705 households. The critical funds were raised through a combination of public generosity, state funding for undocumented workers, a local union, and a large anonymous donation.

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  • This New York Program Is Getting Ahead of Homelessness

    July 02, 2020 |

    Yes! Magazine |

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    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York, New York

    A program that aims to help New Yorkers who are at risk of losing their homes has proven effective in keeping people housed. Studies have shown that it is difficult to transition out of homelessness so its goal is to prevent it entirely. The group operates in all five boroughs of NYC and has helped almost 30,000 people on its budget of $53 million. The program provides both cash and services: money for rent, utilities, legal aid to fight evictions and settle landlord disputes, in addition to job training.

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  • When working for justice, the promotora model builds power in communities even during a pandemic

    July 01, 2020 |

    Generocity |

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    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    The New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia (NSM) adjusted its promotora model of organizing, which relies on neighbor-to-neighbor interaction to assess community needs, due to Covid-19. The immigrant justice nonprofit now runs zoom meetings and phone banks to talk with hard hit immigrant communities. NSM, fundraising with a coalition of 40 other groups, also provides financial support to immigrant families who cannot access federal aid. They gave money to 150 families, with 100 more on the waitlist. They hired a few laid off community members and try to give promotores some money, but funding is limited.

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  • RIP Medical Debt helps poor Americans eliminate medical bills

    June 30, 2020 |

    The Philadelphia Citizen |

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    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York

    Two former debt collectors have teamed up to put their experience and expertise to use paying off medical debts for Americans below the poverty line. RIP Medical Debt is a nonprofit that buys debt in bulk at reduced rates from hospitals. Within five years, $2 billion dollars of debt have been eliminated. The nonprofit has also launched projects researching systemic issues within healthcare and how to solve them.

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  • Kindred care: Congolese refugee community takes care of its own, and others, during COVID-19

    June 25, 2020 |

    FreshWater Cleveland |

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    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

    Congolese refugees in Cleveland, Ohio have created a security net for the most vulnerable amongst them with the formation of Congolese Community of Greater Cleveland. Prior to the pandemic, CCGC helped Congolese refugees form a general sense of community but now it provides vital translation services for health updates and helps navigate the unemployment application process in addition to cash assistance. Current government initiatives are often inaccessible for those who don't have internet access, lack computer literacy, or don't have a car to access drive-through food banks. CCGC members step in to help.

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  • Philanthropies tailor giving strategies to meet pandemic needs

    June 25, 2020 |

    Cleveland Jewish News |

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    Response Location: United States, Ohio

    Ohio philanthropies shifted to a rapid-response model of providing support for the coronavirus. A coalition of 81 philanthropies in Northeast Ohio quickly raised over $8.7 million from more than 2,200 donors and allocated over $6.6 million in grants to 120 recipients. The grants cover Covid19-related needs like PPE, food distribution, and housing. The Tri-C Foundation provided emergency funds to 560 Cuyahoga Community College students, compared to 125 students all of last year. Philanthropy support is small compared to what the government can do, so there should ideally be more public-private partnerships.

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