UpTogether

It’s unconscionable to fund tax breaks for the rich by stripping hardworking people of food and healthcare. This budget isn’t just unfair—it will drive up costs for families and deepen poverty and economic hardship. We should be investing in families, not padding the pockets of the wealthy and corporations.

“If we’re talking about supporting communities and community development, we actually need to have families not in survival mode, but actually at a place of wealth building. And so we’re not there yet,” Astar Herndon, UpTogether Midwest Partnership Director “So that means that we have to continue doing creative creating creative approaches for this, because families are still, whether they’re working or not, still feeling an economic pinch.”

I love seeing stories like this. UpTogether is doing something simple but powerful: trusting families to know what they need. They’re providing 52 families across Illinois with $500 a month—no restrictions, no strings attached, just the freedom to make their own financial choices. And the impact speaks for itself. Take Bria Gregory from Peoria. With this support, she’s been able to pay her car insurance, fix her car, and buy winter coats for her kids. This is the kind of help that keeps people moving forward, with dignity and hope. When we trust people and invest in them directly, we unlock potential that goes far beyond financial stability. It’s about empowerment, breaking cycles, and creating real change. If we truly want to help families, we have to think boldly, give generously, and trust deeply. Let’s keep pushing for a world where everyone gets the chance to rise. https://lnkd.in/geM8cX8t

UpTogether Illinois Community Fund participant and mother of three young children, Bria, said she was working long hours and not seeing her kids as much before she received the payments. Unpaid bills were also piling up. “It allows them to get that breathing room, spend more time with their children, to learn a new skill, or create better employment over time," said Astar Herdon, UpTogether Midwest Partnership Director. ”We know that actually investing in yourself requires money." Click here to read more about the initiative: https://hubs.la/Q036-V7q0

“We want to dispel the notion that cash is only a viable solution for Chicago,” said Astar Herdon, UpTogether Midwest Partnership Director. “We know it’s impactful throughout the state and we’re finding that evidence so far.” The organization reported that 78% of the program’s participants are below the federal poverty line and half spend 50% of their income on housing costs. Just under 70% are employed, working an average of 34 hours a week. Herdon said their base income isn’t enough to cover necessities or work toward long-term goals like returning to school. “It allows them to get that breathing room, spend more time with their children, to learn a new skill, or create better employment over time,“ Herdon said. ”We know that actually investing in yourself requires money."

UpTogether launched two statewide funds, in Illinois and Michigan, that are together providing $500 a month to more than 100 families for one year. This story profiles a member of the Illinois fund who's working two jobs while going to school and raising her children. She shows what's possible when you trust and invest in people. https://lnkd.in/gxCen7wf

"It's made a huge difference. It helped me buy coats for my kids. I also fixed my car, which I needed repairs on. So, it helped out a lot,” Bria, a member of the UpTogether Illinois Community Fund. Bria is balancing two jobs, going to school, and three kids. "And that's a big plus. Especially when you have kids and there's homework that you gotta do--it does help. I can focus more on school now and not trying to juggle as much,” she said. Bria shows us what's possible when we trust and invest in people. Click here to read the full article: https://hubs.la/Q035NMJV0

Regardless of how much you give, how you support the nonprofits and causes you care about matters deeply - perhaps now more than ever. The latest season of Giving Done Right - just wrapped - features deep-dive discussions with wise fellow donors, inspiring nonprofit leaders, and provocative experts on a range of topics, hosted by CEP's Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette. Find advice, guidance, and inspiration on topics like: 🏛️ How to rebuild civic infrastructure, with Eric Liu of Citizen University  💻 Supporting the development and implementation of ethical AI to tackle social ills innovatively, featuring Vilas Dhar of The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation 🏘️ Investing deeply in your own local community, featuring father-daughter philanthropist duo Michael Bontrager and Stephanie A.  💸 How direct cash transfers are a powerful tool for fighting poverty in the U.S., featuring Jesús Gerena of UpTogether  📣 The importance of bold philanthropic leadership in fighting injustice, featuring Darren Walker of the Ford Foundation And more! Listen wherever you get podcasts. 🎧 Thank you to this season's sponsors: Fidelity Charitable® Catalyst Fund, Fetzer Institute, Walton Family Foundation, John Templeton Foundation, Stupski Foundation, The Colorado Health Foundation, and Archstone Foundation. #podcasts #podcast #listen #nonprofits #philanthropy #donors #giving #charitablegiving

Launched in September 2024, the UpTogether Michigan Community Fund seeks to inspire municipalities and philanthropic organizations to adopt similar direct cash investment strategies to support families and strengthen communities. "We’re excited to partner with families across Michigan and amplify their stories of resilience and success," said Astar Herndon, Midwest Partnership Director at UpTogether. Visit The Blog to read more about the initiative: https://hubs.la/Q035HtS00

What does it take to rewrite your story, chase your dreams and inspire the next generation–all while balancing motherhood and college? Meet Ruta Ghebrewold, an artist, student and mom who is showing her daughters what’s possible when they set goals and work towards reaching them. In this episode, Ruta shares her journey from Eritrea to Oakland, her dreams of opening an art gallery, how she invests in herself with direct cash support, and how direct cash can make education more accessible for all. Visit our website to listen to Ruta's story: https://hubs.la/Q035jh8j0