Cash for Low-Income Americans
in Rural Communities

We’re sending cash to low-income families across rural America

Over the past 20 years, U.S. GDP has doubled to $26.7 trillion — but the benefits haven’t been shared equally. Over that same time period, the top 10% grew their share of the nation’s wealth to 71%.

This inequality is especially pronounced in rural America, where poverty rates are 27% higher than in urban areas. In fact, 80% of U.S. counties with persistent poverty are rural.

Yet, despite the clear need, few guaranteed income (GI) programs have been designed specifically to support rural families.

GiveDirectly, in partnership with Jeff Atwood and Elizabeth Burton, is working to change that.

We’ll reach low-income families across rural North Carolina and West Virginia

Concentrating cash in a particular place can stimulate the local economy and spark broad-based economic development.

With support from a generous grant from the Atwoods, we’re aiming to send cash to ~1,800 people across Mercer County, WV, Beaufort County, NC, and one other yet-to-be-determined region.

We are delivering up to $24,000 over the course of 16 months to families living in poverty. This means that every family will receive $1,500 per month for 16 months to spend on food, business, rent, or whatever they need most.

Beyond uplifting thousands of families experiencing poverty, we’re aiming to build a coalition of supporters — from everyday Americans up to federal politicians — who believe in the power of cash. 

You can help expand our mission. Please share this program widely and bring more voices into the conversation!

Cash is proven to uplift families and communities

Hundreds of studies show that unconditional cash transfers can be life-changing across countries and contexts. 

• Community-wide impacts: When delivered at the community level, we’ve seen cash benefit people who were not even direct recipients. 

• Financial stability: After one year, women who received $850 per month were healthier, more financially secure, and more food secure.

• Self-determination: Recipients of a $500 per month guaranteed income reported higher levels of self-determination related to better job prospects and increased risk tolerance.

Let’s help American families realize their dreams

The “American Dream” has become increasingly out of reach for much of the population, who haven’t realized the benefits of U.S. economic growth.

This program aims to remedy some of the financial stagnation felt by millions of American families in the rural U.S. We know that cash creates jobs, reduces debt, and promotes mobility; the challenge is getting it into the hands of those who need it most — and ensuring policymakers take notice.

We are starting in three sites but can spread even further. If we can show that cash can revitalize communities left behind, we can drive local, state, and even national policy change — cementing cash as a critical tool in our social safety net.