People's Prosperity Pilot (PPP)

The People's Prosperity Pilot was launched in 2020 by Mayor Melvin Carter.

150

participants

$500

monthly payment

1.5 Years

duration

$1,350,000

invested in community

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Program Features  
Number of Participants150 individuals
Amount$500
Frequencymonthly
Program DatesOctober 2020-March 2022
EligibilitySt. Paul resident with a child with a CollegeBound Saint Paul college savings account and has been impacted financially by COVID-19.

About the People's Prosperity Pilot (PPP)

The City of Saint Paul launched the People’s Prosperity Guaranteed Income Pilot in October 2020. The People’s Prosperity Pilot was offered to families participating in CollegeBound Saint Paul, the City’s college savings initiative, which is providing every child born to a Saint Paul resident on or after January 1, 2020 with a college savings account and a $50 seed deposit. In an effort to build families’ wealth while supporting their income, their child also received a monthly $10 bonus deposit in their CollegeBound Saint Paul account. The People's Prosperity Pilot was the first guaranteed income program run inside city government and with public funds through the CARES Act and MN Department of Human Services.

Pilot concluded in 2022.

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Download St. Paul, MN (PPP)'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 St. Paul, MN (PPP). This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants' pre-paid debit card that is loaded with guaranteed income payments monthly.

Spending breakdown

Retail sales and services accounted for the largest share of spending, at 55.35%, followed by Food and groceries (28.05%) and Transport related expenses (5.74%).

Samantha & Max

“What I have received from the program is the ability to be more open hearted, whether that’s about taking care of myself or taking care of my family.”

Samantha & Max

People's Prosperity Pilot (PPP)

St. Paul, MN (PPP)

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