UpLift - The Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot was launched in 2023 through the support of seven private and corporate foundations in partnership with four local governments.
110
participants
$500
monthly payment
2 Years
duration
$1,320,000
invested in community
| Program Features | |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 110 individuals |
| Amount | $500 |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Program Dates | May 2023-April 2025 |
| Eligibility | Live in Polk, Dallas, or Warren County, 18+ years of age, live with at least one dependent up to the age of 25 years, household income at or below 60% of the area median income. |
UpLift is a community-wide collaborative learning opportunity to study the impacts of a basic income on Central Iowan residents. This study is the first basic income pilot to incorporate metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural geographies. CGIR is implementing a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) evaluation of health, well-being and financial security outcomes among 110 residents across the tri-county area of Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties who receive $500 a month for 24 months. Community-based organizations have been integral to the development of this pilot including informing eligibility guidelines. This project is supported through a public-private partnership of 11 funding organizations that want research findings to inform community investment decisions and policies to reduce poverty. Funding partners include Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, Principal Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Bank of America Foundation, The Director’s Council, Telligen Community Initiative, United Way of Central Iowa, City of Des Moines, City of Urbandale, City of Windsor Heights, and Polk County. Pilot project coordination is housed at The Harkin Institute at Drake University. Des Moines University's Department of Public Health serves as local research partner.
Data last updated October 1, 2024.
$44,797
$38,000
21.2%
20%
37.3%
31%
31.2%
40%
8.5%
8%
STOCKTON
STATE MEDIAN
UpLift
$24,000
Iowa
$71,734
Annual Household Income (Mean)
$24,542
Sample Size
110
Avg. Age of Respondent
37
Avg. Children in Household
2
Avg. Household Size
4
Male
15%
Female
85%
Other
0%
Married
26%
Single
63%
Partnered/In-Relationship
11%
Yes
95%
No
5%
White
55%
African American
26%
American Indian/Alaska Native
0%
Asian
5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
Latino
5%
Other/Mixed
10%
Hispanic
19%
Non-Hispanic
81%
English
86%
Spanish
6%
Other
7%
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.
The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income participants in Iowa. 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 40.98%, followed by Retail sales and services (26.91%) and Transport related expenses (11.05%).
