The Challenge

Much of the existing research around guaranteed income was focused on tracking how recipients spend the money rather than exploring deeper questions of dignity, humanity, or holistic well-being. Springboard to Opportunities needed a partner to document their work in a way that centers the voices and lived experiences of Black mothers they served through the Magnolia Mothers Trust (MMT), the nation's longest-running guaranteed income initiative. We sought to expand understanding about the impact of the program and share insights that could shift public discourse and influence policy. 

The Approach

Our approach prioritized care, trust, and relationships, resulting in a liberatory research process that not only generated findings but also supported and honored our participants. We conducted surveys and in-depth interviews, allowing us to surface nuanced insights often missed in traditional evaluation. We also consulted with former MMT recipients as advisors throughout the process. They were instrumental in providing input on the data collection tools, conducting interviews, and co-interpreting the findings. As a result, the findings amplify their voices and honor them as experts in their experiences.