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

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Program Features  
Number of Participants100 individuals
Amount$500
Frequencymonthly
Program DatesSeptember 2021-August 2022
EligibilityFathers 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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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 report

Economic 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.

Start of Covid-19 PandemicJan 2019MarMayJulSepNovJan 2020MarMayJulSepNovJan 2021MarMayJulSepNovJan 2022MarMayJulSepNovJan 2023MarMayJulSepNovJan 2024MarMayJulSepNovJan 2025MarMayJulSepNovJan 202602468101214161820Unemployment02468101214161820Inflation
Unemployment  
Inflation  
Pilot Timeline
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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%).

Gladys

"I have been able to visit places with my daughters and truly have enjoyed having somewhat of an economic stability to take them out to places and enjoy things we couldn’t in the past because mommy was always working to make ends meet."

Gladys

Elevate MV

Mountain View, CA

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