The In Her Hands (IHH) initiative launched in 2022 via a partnership between the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund and GiveDirectly and provided guaranteed income to 654 low-income Black women in urban, rural, and suburban areas of Georgia over two years.

The program aimed to offer immediate relief from severe economic hardship while exploring ways to reshape public policy to better support communities impacted by generations of wealth extraction. Designed in partnership with community members, the program randomly assigned participants to receive either A) $850 per month for 24 months or B) $4,300 in the first month, followed by $700 per month for the next 23 months.

Preliminary findings from the program’s first year show that participants experienced significant improvements in their financial situations. With increased stability, many could reduce debt, catch up on bills, and even save for future needs, such as their children’s education. As one participant shared, “I’ve been able to stay afloat and save after paying off debts.”

Guaranteed Income: Financial Stability and Better Health

Surveys conducted with participants and a comparison group—those who applied for the randomized lottery but were not selected—revealed measurable improvements in financial well-being among IHH recipients. Compared to those not selected, participants reported fewer utility shutoffs, missed housing payments, and less reliance on high-cost financial services like payday loans. These financial gains also contributed to better mental and physical health, with participants noting reduced stress, improved access to healthcare, and better sleep quality. The ability to afford balanced, nutritious meals also improved, especially in rural areas with limited food access.

In Her Hands: Personal Agency and Community Impact

Qualitative interviews with participants, along with insights from community advisory boards, revealed that the program’s flexibility was key to its success. This flexibility allowed participants to prioritize their most urgent needs and make decisions aligned with their personal goals. Some pursued further education or licensure, while others started small businesses. Unlike traditional assistance programs with complex restrictions, participants reported that guaranteed income gave them the freedom to focus on what mattered most.

While they appreciated government assistance programs, many noted the challenges of restrictive eligibility guidelines and bureaucratic red tape. One participant, reflecting on the Catch-22 created by the childcare assistance program, asked, “How can we get a job when we have kids at home? We need daycare first; then we can find work. We can't get a job, start working, and get pay stubs without childcare.” Several participants echoed this frustration that in order to get childcare assistance, they must provide proof of employment, which is difficult, if not impossible, to maintain without reliable childcare.

This sense of personal agency also inspired many participants to give back to their communities. As one participant shared, “I was able to restart my youth empowerment group thanks to this program.” In one particularly moving community advisory board meeting, a recipient who had grown her massage business handed out free massage gift certificates to all in attendance in gratitude for the program's impact on her success.

Next Steps Toward Guaranteed Income Policy Development

As IHH wraps its second year, early outcomes suggest that guaranteed income can be an effective tool in addressing economic and racial disparities. In 2024, IHH launched a second cohort with 270 women in Atlanta’s west side.  Building on the program’s first year, this phase increases the average monthly payment to $1,000, extends the duration to 36 months, and offers participants the flexibility to choose a slightly smaller monthly amount with a lump sum at a time of their choosing. This flexibility allows participants to plan for financial priorities, such as tuition payments, a home down payment, or small business investment. The lessons from IHH provide important guidance for future policies aimed at reversing long-standing economic injustices and promoting broader financial inclusion.

Read the full study here.

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