Bridge Project Appalachia
The Bridge Project is a New York-based nonprofit (EIN 88-1293144) that provides unrestricted cash to pregnant individuals; in January 2025 it expanded to Appalachia, offering payments to residents of ARC-designated counties in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Tennessee. The Appalachia chapter is funded primarily by the Monarch Foundation as part of a $10 million, multi-year investment. Up to 1,250 participants are randomly assigned to a 'high-cash' or 'low-cash' group, both of which take part in an 18-month research study on the impacts of direct cash assistance. The program follows the Bridge Project's standardized national payment structure of a prenatal stipend followed by tapering monthly payments through a child's third birthday.
Appalachia, Rural, Multi-State, ARC-Designated Counties, Randomized Research Study, Prenatal, Maternal Health, Bridge Project Network
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- The Bridge Project
- City
- New York
- State / Province
- New York
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Rolling
- Number of recipients
- 1,250
- Funding type
- Philanthropic
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 20,250 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 562.5 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 36 months
- Benefit details
Participants receive a one-time upfront prenatal stipend of $1,125, followed by $750 per month for the first 15 months of participation, then $375 per month for the remaining 21 months (36 months total, through the child's third year), totaling roughly $20,250 per participant. Funds are unrestricted and can be spent on any need, including rent, childcare, food, or utilities. All 1,250 participants (500 in the 'high-cash' group and 750 in a 'low-cash' research-comparison group who receive smaller compensation for completing surveys/interviews) take part in an 18-month research study. This matches the standardized payment structure used by other Bridge Project chapters (Connecticut, Boston, Indianapolis/Birth Fund Indy).
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, at most 14 weeks pregnant at application, and reside in an ARC-designated Appalachian county within Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, or Tennessee. Program materials also cite an annual household income limit of $44,000. Applicants must submit proof of pregnancy from a medical provider including name, clinic info, visit date, and due date. Eligible participants are selected by lottery and randomly assigned to a high-cash or low-cash research group; no SSN or ITIN is required for other Bridge Project cohorts, though this was not explicitly restated for Appalachia.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
- Sex
- Female
- Gender
- Female
Family
- Family Status
- Expecting
Financial
- Income limit (annual household)
- $44,000
Geography
- US states covered
- Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee
- Countries covered
- United States
- Counties covered
- ARC-designated (Appalachian Regional Commission) counties within Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Tennessee
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Research / participation requirements
Managed by The Bridge Project as a first-of-its-kind research study to understand the impact of direct cash on maternal and infant health, nutrition, and housing security in Appalachia. Both the high-cash and low-cash groups participate in an 18-month research study involving surveys and interviews; low-cash group members are compensated for completing these research activities in lieu of the full cash benefit. Findings are intended to help inform state and federal policy adoption.
Application Process
- How to apply
Apply online at bridgeproject.org/apply. Applicants must verify due date, income, and location, and submit proof of pregnancy (patient name, clinic name/location/contact, visit date, expected due date) from a healthcare provider. Applications opened January 8, 2025 and are reviewed on a rolling basis until all program slots are filled.
- Selection process
Eligible applicants who meet all criteria are selected via lottery, then randomly assigned to either a 'high-cash' group (500 participants) or a 'low-cash' research-comparison group (750 participants).
