The Prosperity Pilot shines a light on how strategic cash support can foster lasting change. From Saint Paul’s groundbreaking People’s Prosperity Pilot to emerging models nationwide, these demonstrations reveal powerful lessons about equity, stability, and growth.

Understanding the Promise of Guaranteed Income

In October 2020, Mayor Melvin Carter launched the People’s Prosperity Pilot in Saint Paul, MN. Over 18 months, 150 families received unconditional monthly cash payments of $500, totaling $1.35 million in direct benefits. Funded by public and philanthropic sources, it became the first city-run guaranteed income program backed by municipal funds.

Participants were selected from CollegeBound Saint Paul families in low-wealth, racially diverse zip codes, all demonstrating a COVID-19 financial impact. Beyond checks, each household benefited from a monthly $10 college savings bonus for their child, blending immediate relief with future wealth-building.

Key Lessons from Leading Prosperity Pilots

Across the country, similar pilots are shaping policy conversations and community outcomes. Programs like Norris Square’s Prosperity Project and the Bridge to Prosperity initiative in Massachusetts layer cash with coaching, aiming to tackle the benefits cliff and unlock mobility.

• Holistic support fosters resilience: Pairing cash with financial coaching and affordable housing helps families plan for the long term.
• Local partnerships amplify impact: Collaboration among cities, nonprofits, and financial institutions builds trust and leverages resources.
• Data-driven advocacy: Rigorous evaluation guides policy decisions and secures further funding.

These common themes underscore that cash alone is a catalyst, but combined resources create lasting change. Participants report paying rent, clearing debt, and even investing in education or small businesses, demonstrating how dignity and flexibility empower families.

Comparative Pilot Snapshot

To illustrate diverse approaches, consider this summary of three flagship programs.

Practical Steps to Launch Your Wealth Journey

Whether you’re a policymaker, community leader, or individual seeking stability, these strategies can guide your path.

• Map community needs: Use data to identify households facing unemployment, benefits cliffs, or childcare challenges.
• Secure blended funding: Combine public dollars, philanthropy, and private investments to sustain programs.
• Integrate wealth-building tools: Pair cash grants with college savings bonuses, credit-building services, and financial coaching.
• Measure and adapt: Collect transaction data and participant feedback to refine models and demonstrate impact.

By following these steps, communities can design pilots that deliver immediate relief and foster long-term prosperity. Embedding coaching and savings features ensures families build assets while meeting pressing needs.

Bridging Policy and Practice

Guaranteed income pilots are more than temporary relief efforts—they are living laboratories. Evidence from Saint Paul and beyond informs state and federal debates on safety net reform, equity, and workforce development.

Leaders like Mayor Carter emphasize that these programs expose systemic divides and champion a future where all families can thrive. As Council President Amy Brendmoen noted, reliable support during crises provides essential stability for families, enabling them to plan, work, and dream without constant fear.

Imagining a More Prosperous Future

At its core, the Prosperity Pilot movement invites us to reframe how we view public assistance. Instead of reactive, conditional aid, it offers a proactive, unconditional investment in human potential. Participants spend on essentials—housing, food, healthcare—and also seize opportunities to grow, from starting side businesses to returning to school.

This approach nurtures bridge economic opportunity gaps and fosters communities defined by shared success. As private and public sectors adopt these insights, we edge closer to a social contract that values every citizen’s dignity and potential.

Now is the time to champion proven models, secure lasting funding, and expand eligibility. By scaling guaranteed income pilots, we can catalyze a wave of stability, hope, and intergenerational wealth for families historically left behind.

As you navigate your own journey to prosperity, remember that collective action and compassionate policy can unlock possibilities for millions. Together, we can transform safety nets into springboards for success, ensuring that every community thrives on the foundation of economic justice.

Join the movement to redefine prosperity—advocate for pilot programs in your city, support research, and share stories of impact. In the mosaic of American life, each family’s stability strengthens us all.