What happens when you give cash to those in need? In this episode, Phil and Grace discuss direct cash transfers in conversation with Jesús Gerena, president and CEO of UpTogether. Jesús shares insight into how individuals who receive cash transfers invest in themselves, their families, and their communities. Jesús, Grace, and Phil consider attitudes of paternalism and mistrust of the poor among donors. They also discuss related concepts and ideas such as basic income movements and effective altruism.

Additional Resources

UpTogether

The Urban Institute’s evaluation of the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot

Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the University of Pennsylvania

GiveDirectly

CEP’s research on the impact of MacKenzie Scott’s giving