RISE in collaboration with GiveDirectly

The RISE program’s rural economic mobility study is an in-depth exploration of how individuals and families in rural America navigate financial challenges, respond to shifting opportunities and constraints, and pursue pathways to greater stability. In partnership with GiveDirectly, this research will follow participants in three rural communities over a 16-month period. The study aims to understand how cash operates in the communities, identify the unique barriers and opportunities present, and explore what additional resources, beyond financial support, are necessary to improve economic conditions over time. 

The study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with rich, ethnographic qualitative research. A forward-looking, ethnography-led approach aims to document not only how people use the cash, but also how contextual factors — such as structural barriers, community resources, and local conditions — relate to their efforts and experiences in pursuing stability and opportunity. Guided by broad research questions, this study represents a unique opportunity for OpenResearch to contribute data, insights, and participant narratives to one of the most important conversations in economic policy.