Multnomah County, OR — The Bridge Project, an innovative program dedicated to ending childhood poverty through unconditional cash assistance, today announced its expansion to Multnomah County. Building on successful launches in eleven states serving over 3,800 families across the United States, the Bridge Project will support 100 eligible pregnant individuals in the city. Applications will open on February 4, 2026 and monthly payments will begin on March 1, 2026. 

This groundbreaking initiative provides no-strings-attached cash stipends to low-income mothers and their babies during a child’s crucial first 1,000 days of life. Participants will receive:

• A $1,125 one-time upfront prenatal stipend

• $750 per month for the first 15 months

• $375 per month for the following 21 months

totaling three years of financial support designed to foster healthy development and economic stability.

"As federal cuts to TANF and disruptions to SNAP continue to narrow the safety net for young families, unrestricted cash has become an especially critical resource,” said Suzanna Fritzberg, Executive Director of the Bridge Project. “The Bridge Project's expansion into Multnomah County reflects our commitment to meeting families where they are with timely, flexible support, helping parents cover essential needs, support infant health, and stay financially stable during a period of growing uncertainty."

Eligibility criteria for participation in the Multnomah County program include:

• Reside in Multnomah County, Oregon

• Be 18 years or older

• Be 27 weeks or fewer in their pregnancy, with priority given to moms who are between 20 and 27 weeks pregnant.

• Have an annual household income under $39,000

• No Social Security Number or ITIN required.

Applications are now open online, and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible program participants will be selected by lottery until the 100 slots in the program are filled. To apply, visit www.bridgeproject.org/apply. 

The Bridge Project’s work in Multnomah County is funded through generous contributions from a private foundation alongside support from the Monarch Foundation, which covers administrative costs. Additional contributions are welcome from any donor until March 31, 2026 to expand this first cohort of moms and babies. 

“For many immigrant and refugee mothers and pregnant women, the need for cash assistance is urgent, especially during pregnancy and the child’s earliest years when families are navigating financial difficulties, language barriers, and limited access to support,” said Danita Huskic, Director of Early Learning Services at The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO). “Unrestricted cash assistance via programs like Bridge Project will help fill the gaps that our programs and funding cannot fill, giving families the flexibility and dignity to meet their most immediate needs and build stronger beginnings for their children."

“Unrestricted cash assistance programs are powerful tools for supporting family stability and well-being, particularly for families facing economic hardship,” said Maya Noble, Program Supervisor at Healthy Birth Initiatives. “Experiences from Healthy Birth Initiatives serving as a pilot site for a similar short term guaranteed income program showed that even modest, short-term cash support helped families navigate challenging moments, reduce stress, and meet basic needs with dignity. By placing resources directly in the hands of families, these programs recognize that families know best how to address their own needs. The ability to ease financial strain is not just helpful, it can be truly life-changing for families and communities.”