Programs & Support
We provide direct financial support that offers dignity, flexibility, and stability, while also connecting families to trusted community resources throughout pregnancy and for the first several years with her baby. This dual approach—cash in hand and community at their side—ensures that moms have what they need today, while building the relationships and support systems that help them thrive for the long term.
What makes us distinct is not just what we do, but how. Our model removes red tape, delivers funds quickly and reliably, and centers maternal autonomy. We are data-driven but human-first, blending rigorous research with deep listening to participants. Our approach complements public programs and philanthropic efforts by filling a key gap—providing flexible, immediate support that meets families’ real needs.
Policy for change
The Bridge Project is committed to driving policy change by demonstrating that trust-based cash support leads to stronger outcomes for children and families. By proving what’s possible when we invest directly in moms, we are shifting both public perception and policy—transforming how society supports families experiencing poverty.
Awareness building
Investing time, energy, and political capital to grow public awareness of the power of unconditional cash, cultivate political leaders as allies, and build support from political influencers, including potential funders.
Raising public funds
Partnering with elected officials to introduce budget proposals to drive new public funding toward unconditional cash, either as a new publicly-funded program or as a joint investment with private funds.
Legislative advocacy
Working with elected officials, grassroots organizers, and other coalitions to advocate for the passage of legislation that enables unconditional cash programs and for programs that directly increase the cash available to low-income moms and babies.
New York Policy Case Study
Our work in NYC and the state of New York demonstrates the effectiveness of evidence-based advocacy. By collaborating with local leaders, we shaped targeted policies that improved outcomes for families. This project is a template for scaling our strategy beyond New York.
Strategic philanthropic investment in mother/infant direct programs is a powerful catalyst to unlock public funding and influence long-term policy change. At Bridge, we have demonstrated how targeted, privately-funded programs can not only deliver immediate impact to families, but also drive legislative action and investment at municipal, state, and federal levels.
We began this work in New York, where early philanthropic backing enabled a scalable model for maternal and infant cash transfers. Since then, our influence has helped unlock city general funds, supported the launch of a county-led TANF-funded pilot in one of the state’s largest cities, and inspired the nation’s first baby allowance program for TANF families.
We are not alone, with programs in California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania also successfully translating philanthropic seed funding into public financing. These cases underscore a national trend: targeted private investment can build the evidence and momentum needed to shift public policy.
Research & Resource Library
Our research team is a vital force behind the learning and innovation that drive The Bridge Project forward, ensuring our work is grounded in rigorous evidence and real world impact.
Through both qualitative and quantitative methods, the team studies the effectiveness of direct cash support — not just tracking outcomes, but also uncovering insights that shape our approach.
Beyond our internal work, the research team collaborates with external partners, reviews the latest data and literature, and contributes to a broader understanding of what families need to thrive.
Research partnerships
In-house research
Books & broad research
Research on supporting mothers, babies, & children