Baltimore Young Families Success Fund (BYFSF)
The Baltimore Young Families Success Fund (BYFSF) was a guaranteed income pilot launched by Mayor Brandon M. Scott, providing 200 young parents aged 18-24 with $1,000 unconditional monthly cash payments for 24 months (August 2022-July 2024). It was administered by the Mayor's Office of Children & Family Success in partnership with the CASH Campaign of Maryland, with technical assistance from Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) and fund distribution via the fintech Steady. The program was funded by $4.8 million in City American Rescue Plan Act funds plus philanthropic support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Abell Foundation, France-Merrick Foundation, and Zanvyl and Isabelle Krieger Fund. Abt Associates conducted a randomized controlled trial evaluation, with qualitative research led by the Center for Guaranteed Income Research and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Young parents, MGI member pilot, Randomized controlled trial, Redlining/racial equity, COVID-19 recovery
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Mayor's Office of Children & Family Success (City of Baltimore), CASH Campaign of Maryland
- City
- Baltimore
- State / Province
- Maryland
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Phone
- +1 410 396 3100
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 200
- Funding type
- Government, Philanthropic, Research Pilot
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 24,000 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 1,000 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 24 months
- Distribution Type
- Direct Deposit (via Steady fintech platform)
- Benefit details
Selected participants received $1,000 per month for 24 months, totaling up to $24,000 unconditional, unrestricted cash. Payments began in August 2022 and concluded in July 2024. Funds were explicitly structured as a grant/gift rather than income, intended not to affect participants' taxes. CASH Campaign of Maryland provided free benefits counseling to help participants understand potential impacts on other public benefits (e.g., TCA, SNAP, SSI, WIC, childcare subsidies).
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Applicants had to be Baltimore City residents aged 18-24 at the application deadline, and be biological or adoptive parents or guardians with full or partial caretaking responsibility for a child. Household income had to be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level based on household size. Over 4,000 applications were received for the 2022 application window (May 2-9, 2022); 200 recipients (treatment group) were selected via randomized lottery from qualified applicants, with a comparison/control group used for the RCT evaluation.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
- Maximum age
- 24
Family
- Family Status
- Parent, Foster Parent
- Number of dependents (minimum)
- 1
Health
- Health conditions
- COVID-19 economic impact (job loss, school/daycare closures, housing/food insecurity)
Financial
- Income as % of Federal Poverty Level
- 3,002,022 %
Geography
- US states covered
- Maryland
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Baltimore
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Research / participation requirements
Abt Associates conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluation covering physical functioning, mental health, income volatility, spending, employment, education, family dynamics/parenting, stress, food security, and COVID-19-related variables. The Center for Guaranteed Income Research and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health conducted complementary qualitative research funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Published findings (Abt's 'Guaranteed Income After One Year in Baltimore' report and subsequent 24-month results) show BYFSF participants had incomes roughly 90% higher than the control group at 6 months ($26,926 vs $14,211), improved housing stability (renting rose from 54% to 69%, living with friends/relatives fell from 37% to 19% after payments ended), greater likelihood of applying to college/training (more than 2x control group), reduced financial stress, improved mental health, greater food security, and less household chaos.
Application Process
- How to apply
Applications were accepted only during a fixed window (May 2-9, 2022) via an online eligibility screener, consent form, and survey/application that could take up to 90 minutes to complete. The application process is now permanently closed; no new applicants are being accepted.
- Selection process
Eligible applicants who completed the application were entered into a randomized lottery. 200 verified participants were selected for the treatment (payment) group, while other qualified applicants were assigned to a comparison/control group as part of Abt Associates' randomized controlled trial evaluation design.
