Why "Almost"?

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a simple idea: provide everyone with enough cash to meet their basic needs. But defining "basic" is more complicated than it seems.

Today, proposed amounts—like $1,000 per month—fall short of fully covering essentials. Yet the word basic can create the impression that people could opt out of meaningful contribution altogether. We believe the healthiest society strikes a balance:

• Too much support, and we risk diminishing the natural human drive to solve, build, and create.

• Too little, and we leave people trapped in cycles of desperation, unable to offer their best.

Almost Basic Income aims for that balance. It ensures dignity without removing the invitation—and expectation—to engage.

Moreover, the definition of "basic" continually shifts. Twenty years ago, few would have called a smartphone a necessity; today, it often is. As needs evolve, any system we build will naturally lag behind. Almost Basic acknowledges that reality—and embraces it. Personal generosity will always have a role beyond what any system provides.

Finally, while we see Universal Basic Income as fundamental to addressing many of today's challenges, we recognize that the idea can sound unfamiliar, even unsettling, at first. We invite you to approach it with curiosity. In time, we believe you’ll find, as we have, that it is not only practical—it’s basic.

We think this is really important. It’s also easier than you might think. Here is the story behind Almost Basic.