The Bridge Project Brings Unconditional Cash Program to Milwaukee
The Zilber Family Foundation and The Bridge Project have joined forces in an innovative collaboration to introduce Milwaukee’s first unconditional cash program.
Launched in New York in 2021, The Bridge Project provides mothers and their babies with regular, unconditional cash assistance. By investing directly and flexibly in early childhood, the program aims to break the cycle of stress and poverty passed down through generations, and enhance socioeconomic mobility of families. Our goal is to build a foundation for prosperity that transcends generations. Milwaukee is the first location beyond New York State introducing The Bridge Project to its residents.
How it works
The Bridge Project will provide unconditional cash to 100 eligible low-income, pregnant individuals in Milwaukee for two years. The cash can be spent on anything – food, formula, rent, childcare, diapers – truly, whatever the parent decides, no strings attached.
Program participants will receive:
• $1,125 one-time, upfront prenatal stipend
• $750 per month for the first 15 months of program participation
• $375 per month for the remaining 9 months of program participation
How to apply
Applications are available online beginning April 10, 2024. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for eligibility and eligible program participants will be selected by lottery. Applications will remain open until all program slots have been filled.
Criteria:
• 18 years or older
• 23 weeks pregnant or less
• Live in Milwaukee zip codes 53204, 53205, 53206 or 53215, with priority in ZNI neighborhoods of Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square and Layton Boulevard West
• Have an annual household income of less than $39,000 USD
How to get involved
If your organization is interested in providing a resource for The Bridge Project participants, please fill out an interest form here.
RESOURCES: About The Bridge Project
• Announcement press release (April 1)
• Application open press release (April 10)
• One Pager
• FAQs
• Case Studies
• Fact Sheet
• Partner Toolkit
• About The Bridge Project
The Bridge Project & Unconditional Cash in the News
“Expecting Milwaukee mothers can receive unrestricted monthly cash stipends through The Bridge Project at the Zilber Family Foundation” CarvdNStone.com – 4/17/24
“Bridge Project helping Milwaukee mothers, babies; no strings attached” Fox6Now.com – 4/11/24
“Interview: Zilber Foundation's Gina Stilp on putting money in the hands of moms” Spanning the State on Spotify.com – 4/9/24
“Zilber Family Foundation program putting money in the mother's hands, no strings attached” JSOnline.com – 4/4/24
“Zilber Family Foundation, Bridge Project introduce unconditional cash program for Milwaukee moms and babies” BizTimes.com – 4/4/24
“Want to fix poverty? Give away cash, no strings attached. You read that right.” Opinion by Gina Stilp Special to JSOnline.com – 4/1/24
“Families slip into poverty after child tax credit expires” PBS.org – 3/25/24
“Places across the U.S. are testing no-strings cash as part of the social safety net” NPR.org – 3/5/24
About The Partnership
Launched in New York in 2021 by The Monarch Foundation, The Bridge Project invests directly and flexibly in early childhood through unconditional cash transfers with an aim to break the cycle of stress and poverty passed down generationally and to enhance socioeconomic mobility of families. Through trust, cash and community, The Bridge Project now supports over 1,200 mothers across New York in tackling child poverty.
Cash transfer aligns with The Zilber Family Foundation priorities as an intervention to meet the needs of today, interrupt cycles of generational poverty, and reduce racial inequality.
For more than 15 years, The Zilber Family Foundation has been investing in Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, Layton Boulevard West to increase access to social and economic opportunity and improve the quality of community life. Unconditional cash delivers more than a check; it plants seeds of economic opportunity and empowers low- and moderate-income people to build their lives, provide for their families, and contribute to society.
Milwaukee is the first location beyond New York State introducing The Bridge Project to its residents. The Zilber Family Foundation is proud to support this pioneering effort in Milwaukee to empower pregnant individuals through unconditional cash.