About us
About UpLift
UpLift – Research to Inform Economic Mobility Solutions is a collaborative funding effort seeking to use local data to inform local programs and policies. In 2023, an 11-member funding collaborative, consisting of private and public funders, supported the Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot. The pilot examined the impacts of unrestricted cash payments to eligible low-income households for a 24-month period. Practicing a community-based participatory research approach, the pilot engaged over 50 nonprofit partners as a part of the study design and implementation. In addition to the research study, the project incorporated a Community Conversations Series to bring education and awareness regarding economic mobility topics to the broader community.
The success and interest in this type of cross-sector collaboration led to funders’ desire to continue to work collaboratively. Thus, the evolution from one project to establishing a portfolio of projects under the UpLift banner. In July 2026, the next economic mobility research to inform community solutions initiative will begin – the Central Iowa Emergency Rental Assistance Study. UpLift partners are excited to continue to practice a data-driven and community-informed approach to community solutions.
Guiding Principles
Community-Based Participatory Research
UpLift uses a community-based participatory research approach to its initiatives. It is a priority of UpLift to collaborate with other community-based organizations when designing and implementing projects for stronger and more robust data collection on community issues.
Fostering Community Dialogue
UpLift values having continuous dialogues and discussions about current issues happening in the community. When building a prosperous community, it’s important that every person’s voice is heard, whether they are a subject matter expert or an interested community member.
Solutions-Focused Initiatives
UpLift belives that economic mobility is necessary for individuals to thrive independently and communities to prosper. Through its research initiatives and community programming, UpLift is dedicated to exploring potential solutions that address the root causes of poverty and the social drivers of health.
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