Rooted School: 50 Dollar Study

The 50 Dollar Study was launched by Rooted School Foundation in October 2022

470

participants

200 ($50/week)

monthly payment

1.3 Years

duration

$940,000

invested in community

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Program Features  
Number of Participants470 individuals
Amount200 ($50/week)
Frequencyweekly
Program DatesOctober 2022-September 2024
EligibilityHigh school student enrolled in one of our partner schools in New Orleans, Louisiana and Indianapolis, Indiana.

About the Rooted School: 50 Dollar Study

The $50 Study is a large-scale randomized controlled trial conducted by Rooted School Foundation to evaluate the impact of a direct-cash transfer program on high-school aged individuals. Over a period of two years, 470 high school students in grades 9-12 will participate in the study, with some students randomized into a treatment group receiving $50 per week unconditionally for 40 weeks, while others will be randomized into a control group receiving no cash. The primary research questions of the study revolve around the effects of cash transfers on financial hardship, financial capability, upward economic mobility, and academic achievement. Rooted School Foundation is partnered with schools in New Orleans, Louisiana and Indianapolis, Indiana to complete this study.

Data last updated October 1, 2024.

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Demographic Data for Study Participants

Median Annual Household income

50 Dollar Study

N/A

New Orleans, LA & Indianapolis, IN

$52,322

$52,322

Annual Household Income (Mean)

N/A

Sample Size

173

Avg. Age of Respondent

17

Avg. Children in Household

2

Avg. Household Size

4

gender

Male

53%

Female

45%

Other

2%

marital status

Married

N/A

Single

N/A

Partnered/In-Relationship

N/A

children in household

Yes

69%

No

31%

race

White

N/A

African American

N/A

American Indian/Alaska Native

N/A

Asian

N/A

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

N/A

Latino

N/A

Other/Mixed

N/A

ethnicity

Hispanic

N/A

Non-Hispanic

N/A

primary language at home

English

N/A

Spanish

N/A

Other

N/A

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
New Orleans unemployment  
Indianapolis unemployment  
Inflation  
Pilot Timeline
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Spending Breakdown

The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income participants in New Orleans, LA & Indianapolis, IN. This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants' pre-paid debit card that is loaded with guaranteed income payments weekly.

Spending breakdown

Food and groceries accounted for the largest share of spending, at 44.71%, followed by Retail sales and services (35.58%) and Transport related expenses (11.8%).

Kaleb C. (New Orleans, LA)

“[I] learned that money really does change what you can do and who you are. You can feel more confident and more happy in general."

Kaleb C. (New Orleans, LA)

Rooted School: 50 Dollar Study

New Orleans, LA & Indianapolis, IN

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