Benefits Cliff (or Cliff Effect)

A disruptful and detrimental decrease or elimination of public benefits when a person gains employment, or receives a wage increase. The reduction of benefits generally results in a worse financial outcome - as even as little as a one dollar increase can result in a significant or total loss of benefits like food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or subsidized public housing. 

BIPOC 

Black Indigenous and People of Color 

Cash Offers (or Community Offers)

Investments offered to members directly on the UpTogether Community. Members can accept or decline offers. Cash offers vary in amount and distribution cadence. 

Cash Transfer

Direct cash assistance, without strings attached, offered to individuals or households. These can be a one time lump sum or continuous. 

  • Cash transfers are considered unconditional when recipients are not required to perform any specific activities or use the money in any particular way.

Community Partners

On-the-ground organizations we collaborate with to recruit members or otherwise amplify our strength-based approach. These partners do not provide capital to invest in our members.  

Deficit-Based

Deficit-based approaches focus on the perceived weaknesses of individuals or groups, such that the individuals or groups become viewed as “the problem.” This is the opposite of UpTogether’s strength-based approach which values the capacity, skills, knowledge, connections and potential in individuals and communities.

Fund

An account, generally created by partners, that provides money to UpTogether members for cash offers. 

Guaranteed Income (GI)

A guaranteed income is a monthly, cash payment given directly to individuals. It is unconditional, with no strings attached and no work requirements. A guaranteed income is meant to supplement, rather than replace, the existing social safety net and can be a tool for racial and gender equity.

Groups

Cohorts of members who participate in the UpTogether Community experience together. Members can participate in multiple UpTogether groups. 

Investments

Financial capital we provide to UpTogether members. 

Knowledge Center

Previously called the Support Center, this is the website where members and others can read UpTogether FAQs and contact our Support team.

Partners

Philanthropy, government, research and other individuals and organizations that work with us to accomplish UpTogether’s mission. 

Relief funds

An account, generally funded by partners, to provide direct cash payments to UpTogether members following an emergency, disaster, or natural hazard. 

  • Example: 

    • A cash offer is available for members through the COVID-19 relief fund.

Strength-Based Approach (SBA)

A false, deficit-based view of people with limited means focuses on what people lack. It blames them for their financial situation without acknowledging the systems and policies that make it difficult for them to get ahead despite their hard work.

Our strength-based approach of community, capital and choice recognizes and honors people’s initiatives, abilities and self-determination.

Systems Change

Any change that impacts and confronts root causes of issues, rather than symptoms, by transforming policies, mindsets, customs, and power dynamics. Click here to learn more about UpTogehter's systems change strategy. 

Unconditional cash assistance or cash transfers

Recipients of unconditional cash assistance or cash transfers are not required to perform any specific activities or use the money in any particular way.

UpTogether Community

UpTogether’s website where members have access to cash investments, provide data about their families and community and can utilize tools available to share resources and support other members to help accomplish their goals.

Racial equity

The practice of changing policies, practices, systems, and structures to eliminate disparities to improve outcomes for everyone; prioritizing measurable change in the lives of people of color.