Guaranteed Basic Income Program

The James S. McDonnell Foundation has announced that it is providing $1 million to help fund the City of St. Louis’ Guaranteed Basic Income program through December after the program was halted this summer due to a lawsuit.

The guaranteed basic income program restarted last week thanks to a private donor. A judge had ordered the effort be suspended earlier this year after a lawsuit against the city.

Hundreds of low-income families will lose city funding this month. A St. Louis judge temporarily halted guaranteed basic income payments after a lawsuit claimed the program is unconstitutional.

The program uses $5 million in federal COVID relief funds, plus a $1 million donation from Jack Dorsey. The current funding runs out in mid-2025.

The program will help up to 540 families by providing them with $500 a month for 18 months. The application process will begin in late October.