City of Alameda Guaranteed Income Pilot Program

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Program Description

Rise Up Alameda, a City of Alameda guaranteed income pilot program provided $1,000 per month to 150 low-income Alameda households over a two-year period from 2023 to 2025. The Alameda City Council directed the use of $4.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for Rise Up Alameda and successfully launched the program in Fall of 2023. The goals of Rise Up Alameda were to reduce economic instability for program participants, help to change local narratives and perceptions surrounding poverty and the provision of public benefits, and help to support and inform the larger discussion regarding public benefits and anti-poverty policies.

Administrative Structure

The administrative structure for the City’s GI Pilot Program involves five main components:

  • City Sponsor: As the anchor for the community, the City assisted in the development and implementation of the Rise Up Alameda, provided oversight of the program partners, and supported in the promotion of the program.
  • Implementing Partner: Operation Dignity was the Implementing Partner for Rise Up Alameda and was responsible for administering the program. Responsibilities included: program support, collecting applications from potential recipients, selection and enrollment of recipients, and collaboration with other partners (e.g. the City) on outreach and communication efforts.
  • Research Partner: Abt Associates was Rise Up Alameda’s Research Partner and was responsible for designing, in collaboration with other program partners, the research component of Rise Up Alameda. A research component was important to secure benefits waivers so that Rise Up Alameda participants did not risk losing benefits from other assistance programs. For instance, the State of California would not grant an income waiver for programs such as CalWORKs or CalFresh without an approved research component. A research component also informed how Rise Up Alameda led to creating financial stability for its recipients. In addition, the information contributed to the knowledge obtained regarding guaranteed income programs as an anti-poverty policy tool.
  • Financial Partner: The Financial Partner was responsible for administering the financial components of the program including the distribution of monthly payments funded by the City.
  • Advisory Board: An Advisory Board was formed to support Rise Up Alameda. The Advisory Board was composed of community and advocacy organizations, individuals with lived experience (i.e. low-income persons), and City staff to help inform decision-making on key programmatic elements.
  • Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI): MGI was formed by former Stockton mayor Michael Tubbs and the staff involved in creating Stockton’s first-of-its-kind pilot program (SEED). MGI is funded philanthropically and provides its expertise and guidance to local governments free of charge. By joining MGI’s coalition, Rise Up Alameda was able to receive technical support and recognition. MGI brought extensive experience to Rise Us Alameda and continues to draw upon the dozens of pilot programs with which it has been involved.  

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the status of the selection process for Rise Up Alameda?
    • The two-year pilot program of Rise up Alameda has ended. 

For more information about the Rise Up Alameda, please visit the website or contact Operation Dignity at riseupalameda@operationdignity.org.

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