Columbia Life Improvement Monetary Boost (CLIMB)
Columbia Life Improvement Monetary Boost (CLIMB) was launched in 2021 by Mayor Stephen Benjamin.
100
participants
$500
monthly payment
1 Year
duration
$600,000
invested in community
| Program Features | |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 100 individuals |
| Amount | $500 |
| Frequency | monthly |
| Program Dates | September 2021-August 2022 |
| Eligibility | Fathers residing in Columbia and currently or recently enrolled in a program with the Midland Fathers Coalition |
About Columbia Life Improvement Monetary Boost (CLIMB)
Columbia Life Improvement Monetary Boost (CLIMB) was launched to determine the effectiveness of regular monthly payments to strengthen fathers and families. In partnership with Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, CLIMB utilizes one of the most promising tools for addressing poverty, inequity, and family instability: a guaranteed income. CLIMB participants are Columbia residents enrolled in the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition. “CLIMB’s guaranteed income monthly payments are designed to provide economic stability and uplift to families, which the Stockton SEED project has shown is pivotal in creating opportunities to escape systemic poverty and thus strengthen communities,” said Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, who launched CLIMB when Columbia was designated as one of the initial ten US cities selected to hold guaranteed income projects. “By directly addressing financial insecurity through a guaranteed income, we can better empower fathers and families to invest in themselves and their children.”
Pilot concluded in 2022.
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COMMUNITY FEATURES
$44,797
$38,000
Median household income
21.2%
20%
Poverty rate
37.3%
31%
Housing burden
31.2%
40%
Childcare cost burden
8.5%
8%
Unemployment rate
STOCKTON
STATE MEDIAN
Download Columbia, SC's Evaluation Report
Read a research report produced by the Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) which offers summaries of key findings, along with in-depth analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data from this pilot.
download the reportEconomic Context for Pilot Participants
The guaranteed income pilot launched during a period of dynamic change and economic challenges for pilot participants. The chart below situates this pilot in the context of unemployment and inflation.
Unemployment
Inflation
Pilot Timeline
Spending Breakdown
The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income participants in Columbia, SC. This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants' pre-paid debit card that is loaded with guaranteed income payments monthly.
Spending breakdown
Food and groceries accounted for the largest share of spending, at 27.64%, followed by Retail sales and services (26.92%) and Transport related expenses (20.65%).
