CEEMI-initiated Rigorous Evaluation Shows Cash Stipends Improve Program Completion

October 29, 2024

CEEMI and the Colorado Lab at DU received Urban Institute WorkRise funding for a “Cash for Coloradans” evaluation of whether stipends improved key outcomes for Coloradans enrolled in training and career development nonprofits.

A rigorous randomized evaluation (full evaluation here) assessed the impact of no-interest loan cash stipends for ActivateWork learners. The evaluation found meaningful, significant improvements on program completion resulting from the cash stipends, adding to growing evidence that financial assistance can make short-term training programs more accessible and effective for lower income learners!