The Philly Joy Bank officially launched two years ago! As we hit this milestone, we are incredibly excited to share the first wave of meaningful insights from our ongoing program evaluation.
Led by researchers at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health, the evaluation team utilizes a blend of participant surveys, birth record data, and qualitative storytelling methods. By tracking these experiences, we are learning how unconditional cash during and after pregnancy impacts birthing people and their babies. One of the most important findings of the evaluation to date has been participants' testimonials about how the monthly payments have reduced day-to-day stress and financial insecurity.
As the evaluation continues, we look forward to sharing more outcomes and insights.
Philly Joy Bank: In Their Own Words
Here is what some of the Philly Joy Bank participants have shared about how the program has transformed their pregnancy and postpartum journeys:
Reduced Stress
I’m able to just be able to do stuff without second guessing, like, if I use this money, will I be able to take care of this other stuff? So that’s how it’s been able to help me. It takes stress off my back. That’s a good thing because when you stress you can’t think straight, and right now I can think straight. I can think clearly. So it helps me out in that manner.
Increased Parental Time and Bandwidth
“I’ve been really overwhelmed and stressing out about my little postpartum cart, and what to put in there, and, just what to do, period. Because this is new to me; I don’t really know what to do. So I’ve been watching a lot of videos and stuff on what to get... I’m like "You know what? It’s all right because I’ll be getting the next check soon. So let me just go ahead and get this stuff now, and get it out of the way." So I just grabbed everything… And it felt really good to be able to grab it all at one time, you know? Just to, like, knock that off my list. So now, I have fewer things to worry about. I don’t have that many more things to get for me, so the rest for the baby, but it felt good to just get this stuff out of the way.”
Meeting Basic Needs: Childcare
"Without the funds provided by PJB, my baby wouldn’t be able to attend daycare. As you know, childcare is expensive, and unfortunately, I do not qualify for childcare assistance, so this has been a tremendous help for my family! I know that he is somewhere safe and clean. "
Increased Financial Security
"To see it [savings account] constantly increase every month, I put like a chunk-- because I put a chunk of the money-- if I don’t put the whole thing in there, I’ll put at least half of it in there so I can see it growing each month so that I can prepare for when I go on family leave."
"Money be tight sometimes so you can't always get what you want. You always got to get what you need, but with a little extra money from the Philly Joy Bank, I've been able to do the things that I want to do too.... I have the Nutri Bullet as well, and I just cannot wait to go in my garden and pick from the garden and make my baby food. I'll be so proud. Like, listen, I grew it and made it."
Philly Joy Bank Background
Philly Joy Bank’s pilot program provides pregnant Philadelphians with $1,000 per month from pregnancy through one year after birth, for a total of 18 months. Enrolled families are also offered voluntary assistance, including financial counseling, home visits, doula help, and lactation support. As of May 20, 2026, $4,251,000 has been distributed to participants (the program is fully enrolled and no longer accepting applications).