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Did this city bring down its murder rate by paying people not to kill?

Tim Murphy

June 01, 2014 |

Mother Jones |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Richmond, California

Since Richmond, California’s Office of Neighborhood Safety began paying stipends to its “fellows” – the dozens of young men it works with at any given time who are deemed to be at high risk of gun-violence involvement – nearly all of its subjects have survived. Other evidence of its success is anecdotal or merely suggestive of an effect on the city’s violence. While the police chief warily credits it for being a positive force, others in the community are skeptical, if not outright antagonistic.

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Brazil's poverty solution? Give money to women

Lane Anderson

April 14, 2014 |

Deseret News |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Brazil, São Paulo

In Brazil a conditional cash-transfer program is alleviating poverty, empowering women, and changing gender roles by giving families, especially mothers, money for sending kids to school and to regular doctor's visits.

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For Striving Students, a Connection to Money

Tina Rosenberg

March 26, 2014 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Government benefits to aid the poor are frequently left unclaimed, leaving children hungry, young people unable to finish school, and opportunities for stable housing and preventative health care unused. New York City-based program Single Stop connects people to benefits for which they may be eligible. Importantly, Single Stop has served community colleges where disadvantaged students can use the assistance to help get through school.

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A Nonprofit Lender Revives the Hopes of Subprime Borrowers

Binyamin Appelbaum

February 25, 2014 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Many subprime borrowers in the United States are financially unable to buy a home themselves. An unconventional lender is trying to make it easier for low-income people to buy houses despite the tighter requirements that other lenders adopted after the mortgage bust.

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Preparing for Disaster by Betting Against It

Georgia Levenson Keohane

February 12, 2014 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, necessity has bred an interesting kind of financial invention for the New York MTA: the world’s first “catastrophe” bond - a reinsurance for the insurer - designed to protect public transportation infrastructure, specifically against storm surge. These bonds privatize risk for public gain, creating a kind of tool that may protect economic development against all kinds of natural and man-made disasters around the world.

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Playing the Odds on Saving

Tina Rosenberg

January 15, 2014 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Michigan

Lotteries aren’t usually considered part of the solution to a savings crisis experienced across America, particularly by the nation's poor, but with more hopefuls purchasing lottery tickets than setting aside rainy day funds, one organization, Doorways to Dreams, is working to change federal and state laws to allow banks to offer prize-linked savings. In Michigan, the programs have seen some success.

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In the Long War on Poverty, Small Victories That Matter

David Bornstein

January 08, 2014 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

A panoply of responses to poverty has emerged to address poverty in the United States and abroad. The responses share in three key tactics: Measuring impact, paying for success, and collaboration.

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Philly-area firm leads the hospital-bill fight vs. the $500 Tylenol

Zach Seward

December 05, 2013 |

WHYY |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With more and more Americans having to pay medical costs out of pocket, a small company out of Philadelphia called ELAP is on the front lines of the war against escalating charges. By helping overwhelmed patients to de-mystify and negotiate medical bills, they are ensuring patients get the best value and avoid egregious financial distress.

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What Happens When You Just Give Money To Poor People?

David Kestenbaum

October 25, 2013 |

NPR |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: Kenya, Siaya, Siaya

GiveDirectly, a non-profit organization, was simply giving impoverished people money intending for them to buy their own needs. Research shows that, contrary to popular belief, people are spending this money on what it was intended for instead of alcohol or other negative items.

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Escaping the Cycle of Scarcity

Tina Rosenberg

September 25, 2013 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Odisha

Poor people are less likely to make smart financial decisions; however, new research in the U.S. says this is not about intelligence but rather about a brain being overwhelmed with issues related to poverty. To combat that barrier of stress, organizations around the world are making financial decisions easier for people experiencing poverty by making borrowing easier and automating future financial planning, like 401(k) contributions.

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