ITSA Newsletter: Giving Tuesday

Here’s the Latest and Biggest Basic Income News:

‣ Corporations raised $16 million to oppose Oregon's UBI plan. They won.

‣ The first study of Brazil’s guaranteed basic income in Maricá has been published

‣ Tacoma’s guaranteed basic income pilot has yielded positive results

‣ New study of Iran’s UBI shows significant improvements in nutrition and education

‣ Seven political parties in Ireland have committed to continuing and expanding their Basic Income for the Arts program

‣ Canada's National Advisory Council on Poverty has, for the first time, explicitly recommended basic income

‣ USAID has signaled a major shift by now championing unconditional cash transfers

ITSA News Update:

Happy Giving Tuesday!

In case you missed our press release, the Income To Support All Foundation attained its fundraising goal this year of $1.5 million for our UBI projects. We also have commitments going forward of over $100,000 per month in recurring donations and look forward to adding new ambitious UBI projects next year in addition to supporting our existing projects. Becoming a monthly supporter is the best way to help us do even more.

Did you know that many employers have programs that provide matching donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits? Check this link to see if your employer is one of them. It’s possible that a $500 donation from you could end up being a $1,000 donation to us after a match from your employer. If you wish to donate stock to enjoy the tax benefits from that method, that is also another option available.

Corporations raised $16 million to oppose Oregon's UBI plan. They won. [link]

• Oregon's universal basic income measure failed, with 78.8% of voters voting against it.

• If passed, the measure would have provided an estimated $1,600 a year to everyone in Oregon thanks to a 3% tax increase on corporations with over $25 million a year in revenue.

• The opposition movement to Measure 118 raised over $16 million — more than 26 times what the Oregon Rebate support PAC raised.

The first study of Brazil’s guaranteed basic income in Maricá has been published [link]

• The Maricá Basic Income Evaluation is an assessment of a permanent basic income program in the city of Maricá, Brazil started in 2015. The program is one of the largest cash transfer programs in existence.

• About half the city’s population is receiving a monthly unconditional income of around $85 USD paid in a local currency called the mumbuca.

• Labor income, but not labor hours, went down, suggesting a move to jobs considered preferable to have during the pandemic despite less pay.

Tacoma’s guaranteed basic income pilot has yielded positive results [link]

• The “GRIT” program in Tacoma, WA provided $500/mo to 110 people for 12 months. There were 132 people in the control group.

• Full-time employment among recipients increased from 57% to 66%, and they maintained higher employment rates compared to the control group (52%).

• Recipients reported deeper levels of hope and improved courage, faith, and self-transcendence.

New study of Iran’s UBI shows significant improvements in nutrition and education [link]

• In 2010, Iran replaced its energy subsidies with a monthly cash payment that went to most households, leaving the bottom 80% with a net boost.

• The amount was about 28% of median household income which is about the same as a monthly $1750 payment in the US.

• Significant improvements in nutrition—both in quality and quantity—were found as well as increased education spending. People did not work less.

Seven political parties in Ireland have committed to continuing and expanding their Basic Income for the Arts program [link]

• Ireland is providing a basic income of 325 euros a week (about $1300/mo) to 2,000 artists for three years

• Ahead of their elections, seven political parties - Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Green Party, Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats and People Before Profit - committed to continuing and expanding the pilot in some form

• Data shared so far shows that artists are spending more time and money on their art and reporting less anxiety and depression than the control group.

Canada's National Advisory Council on Poverty has, for the first time, explicitly recommended basic income [link]

• In chapter 5 of its annual report, Canada’s National Advisory Council on Poverty recommended that Canada implement a basic income.

• Quote: “The Council proposes that the federal government should work across governments to introduce a basic income floor, indexed to the cost of living, that would provide adequate resources (above Canada's Official Poverty Line) for people to be able to meet their basic needs, thrive and make choices with dignity.”

USAID has signaled a major shift by now championing unconditional cash transfers [link]

• In October 2024, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) released its position paper in support of direct monetary transfers for development outcomes.

• USAID’s support of direct monetary transfers is significant as it is the largest provider of official development assistance at an estimated $66 billion in 2023 and has the potential to influence a greater number of actors in the sector.

• Quote: “Evidence shows that transfers drive sustained impact, with many studies measuring impact one to four years after transfers end. The positive impact cuts across many USAID development objectives, from food security to resilience to household income, health, and more.”

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Scott Santens

Founder & CEO, ITSA Foundation