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By Mueller Communications, Zilber Family Foundation
MILWAUKEE – Today, the Bridge Project opened applications for its expanded Milwaukee program providing unrestricted cash support to low-income pregnant mothers across the city. Building on the program’s first Milwaukee cohort of 122 mothers, the expansion will provide at least 180 eligible mothers with $20,250 in unrestricted cash support over three years. The expansion is made possible through a $3.1 million commitment from the Zilber Family Foundation, along with funding from the Yabuki Family Foundation, Phoenix Investors, the Crivello Family Foundation, and City of Milwaukee ARPA funds.
“Opening applications marks an exciting next step in expanding the Bridge Project’s reach in Milwaukee,” said Zilber Family Foundation Executive Director Lianna Bishop. “Flexible resources give families more room to plan, respond to unexpected needs and pursue opportunities. By providing unrestricted cash during a critical time, the Bridge Project gives families the freedom to make choices that are right for them and create greater stability for their families.”
Program participants will receive a total of $20,250 in unrestricted cash support over three years, including a one-time, upfront prenatal stipend of $1,125, followed by monthly payments of $750 for the first 15 months of program participation and $375 for the remaining 21 months. The support gives mothers the flexibility to use funds where they can make the greatest difference for their families, from housing and groceries to childcare, diapers, and other day-to-day needs.
Eligibility criteria and application information
Applications are now available online through the Bridge Project website. The Bridge Project utilizes a randomized process to select program participants that meet the following eligibility criteria:
18 years or older
23 weeks pregnant or less
Live in the City of Milwaukee
Have an annual household income of less than $39,000 USD.
The program is open citywide; however, some funding is designated to prioritize eligible participants living in specific neighborhoods and ZIP codes. Please visit our website to learn more.
“This expansion is a vote of confidence in what we’ve already seen work,” said Bridge Project Executive Director Suzanna Fritzberg. “By investing in mothers during pregnancy and a child’s earliest years, we help families build the stability they need to focus on what matters most: raising healthy, thriving children.”
Building on the Bridge Project’s impact in Milwaukee
The Bridge Project is the nation’s first multistate direct cash program for moms and babies. It works to ensure no baby is born into poverty by investing directly in the perinatal period, centering mothers as storytellers and changemakers, and building a collective movement to advance policies that strengthen families from the start.
The expansion builds on the progress of the Bridge Project’s first Milwaukee cohort of 122 mothers. After one year of engagement, participants saw a 67% decrease in housing instability, 33% saw a reduction in food insecurity, and 23% of mothers began new job training or education programs.
To learn more about the Bridge Project, visit www.bridgeproject.org.
About the Zilber Family Foundation
Founded in 1961 by philanthropist and businessman Joseph J. Zilber and his wife Vera, the Zilber Family Foundation is a private, independent grantmaking institution dedicated to increasing access to social and economic opportunity. We partner with nonprofits and communities to address basic needs, advance economic stability, deliver nonprofit sector support, and sustain legacy projects initiated by our founders. For more information, please visit: www.zilberfamilyfoundation.org The Bridge Project is the nation’s first multistate direct cash program for moms and babies. The Bridge Project works to ensure no baby is born into poverty by investing directly in the perinatal period, centering mothers as storytellers and changemakers, and building a collective movement to successfully advance policies that strengthen families from the start. Since 2021, the Bridge Project has grown to 14 states across the U.S., committing $144+ million in direct, unrestricted cash support to over 4,450 moms and babies.
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