Executive Summary

The $400B invested in welfare programs annually has not made poverty escapable. FII and the City of Chicago are partnering to move low-income families out of poverty, permanently. Using FII’s approach and online platform, the City is investing directly in the strengths and solutions that low-income families and their communities already have, and removing the deficit-based criteria traditionally used to access support. Through FII’s UpTogether, families strengthen social networks, access unrestricted cash, set goals and monitor progress, and support one another in achieving mobility. On average, families that join FII increase their income by more than 20%, quadruple their assets, and form stronger social connections. As an estimated 3,000 Chicagoans make progress towards their goals—and at least 50% escape poverty permanently—the City will use the robust data collected by FII to explore policy changes to remove other barriers towards economic mobility.