Consider the impact on struggling individuals' lives if they no longer had to worry about their essential needs. What could help them plan and transition from uncertain and tenuous reliance on assistance programs into stability that allows them to more deeply focus on bettering their families and communities? Magnolia Mother's Trust believes the answer lies in a year of no-strings-attached money as the foundation for success.
This Jackson, Mississippi program underscores the life-altering possibilities of a guaranteed income program to lower-income Black mothers. As founder Aisha Nyandoro discovered, women gain empowerment when given no-strings-attached funds and agency over their own financial decisions. Contrary to anecdotal beliefs, misconceptions and mistrust, the money is almost always used to improve quality of life – not misspent on frivolity or poor lifestyle choices.
The participants in the Magnolia Mothers' Trust guaranteed income program receive a $1,000 monthly stipend for 12 months that they are allowed to use as they best see fit, with no restrictions, although they are offered opportunities to participate in goal setting, budgeting, and community interaction as well as resources for mental health, self-care and family programs. Each of their children receives $1,000 in a 529 savings account for future college tuition. An important element of the program is that the income does not affect the recipients’ qualifications for other aid programs.Benefitting more than 500 participants since 2018 and now in its sixth cohort, Magnolia Mother’s Trust is the longest-running guaranteed income program in the United States and is now used as a national model. The program’s success is highlighted through numerous research studies, white papers, policy briefs and reports which can be found on their website.
MMT is administered as part of Springboard to Opportunities' broader programming aimed at supporting families in federally subsidized affordable housing advance in life, school and work. In their theory of change platform, Springboard to Opportunities believes in allowing residents to drive their own pathways to advance in order to thrive financially, physically, emotionally and academically.
MMT was brought to the attention of the Argosy Foundation's Anti-Racism Advisory Committee in 2020. The committee, comprised of external advisors from around the United States, brings awareness of grassroots racial equity efforts to Argosy's leadership and grants team. The advisors, all people of color with lived experiences navigating and fighting systemic racism, identify organizations and projects for consideration, perform due diligence, review and deliberate the merits of each, and finally allocate funds subject to trustee Jeneye Abele’s final approval. This process gives the advisors more than a symbolic presence in the room – they have a seat at the head of the table when funding decisions are made for anti-racism and racial equity grants.
This work has the potential to ripple out to other communities, showing that when people are given the resources they need, they can unlock their full potential and contribute to a more equitable society for all."
As noted by Kyle Dodson, a member of the advisory committee, “MMT has empirical evidence demonstrating the positive benefits of this guaranteed income program. Given the intractable nature of generational poverty, I think we should move past the political squabbles and provide support to initiatives that have been shown to be effective.”
Advisor Jerel Ballard applauds guaranteed income programs as essential tools to advance racial equity. "For the past four years, through our support of Magnolia Mother's Trust, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of providing financial stability to marginalized communities. By directly addressing economic disparities, these programs empower individuals and families to build a future free from the constraints of systemic inequality. This work has the potential to ripple out to other communities, showing that when people are given the resources they need, they can unlock their full potential and contribute to a more equitable society for all."
As programs like Magnolia Mother’s Trust continue to demonstrate a positive impact on low-income communities, Argosy Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that pave the way for a more equitable future.
Read more about the Magnolia Mother's Trust and Springboard to Opportunities here.
The committee was formed by Trustee and CEO Jeneye Abele to identify, support and highlight efforts to fight systemic racism and to advance justice and equity.
By the Numbers:Since 2021, the Advisory Committee has distributed $1,350,000 to 35 not-for-profit organizations through 80 grants ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 each.
Current Advisory Committee Members:
Annett James; President, NAACP Boulder County, Boulder, Colorado
Antonio Thomas; Sr. Curriculum Specialist, Becoming A Man, Youth Guidance, Chicago, Illinois
Jerel Ballard; Staff Assistant to the Mayor, City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Kyle Dodson; Community Organizer and Leader, City of Burlington, Vermont
