MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, has gained immense popularity on YouTube by giving cash to strangers. With 288 million subscribers, MrBeast has now turned his attention to universal basic income (UBI).
He has partnered with GiveDirectly, aiming to assist people in extreme poverty in Uganda.
Together, they have distributed $1,000 to approximately 300 households. MrBeast’s initiative, Beast Philanthropy, contributed $200,000, while GiveDirectly handled additional costs.
This effort has provided these households with about a year’s worth of income. They’ve also launched a joint fundraiser to extend this support to a neighboring village, raising over $37,000 out of a $150,000 goal.
From Absurd Stunts to Fighting Poverty
MrBeast has created a unique niche on YouTube, focusing on giving away large sums of money to strangers and capturing their reactions. His videos often feature fun challenges such as staying in a circle the longest or holding onto an object without letting go.
Recently, his focus has shifted towards more philanthropic activities. He has started funding projects like building wells in Africa, donating food and clothing to those in need, and helping individuals with cataract surgeries and hearing aids.
In a different vein, the nonprofit GiveDirectly is undertaking a massive universal basic income (UBI) experiment in Kenya. This project involves 20,000 participants and spans 12 years.
UBI means giving regular cash payments to all adults, with no conditions on how they can spend the money. Early results from GiveDirectly show that these cash handouts help increase savings and support large-scale projects. Receiving a lump sum enables transformative changes, like starting new businesses.
Turning Cash into Change
MrBeast’s journey from giving money to deserving strangers to providing direct cash payments to those living on $1 or $2 a day marks a significant shift. In a video set in Uganda, he presented villagers with $1,000 each, challenging the idea of how they would use the money effectively.
Concerns Addressed:
His team initially had doubts. They worried about whether flooding a community with money might be “extremely irresponsible.” However, after working with GiveDirectly, they saw the positive impact of direct cash help.
Stories from Karamoja
Three personal stories from Karamoja highlight how transformative cash payments can be:
- Ruth: She used her money to open a store and purchase food and medicine for her children.
- Auma: She built a school that now has seven teachers and more than 200 students.
- Tiyan and Lokure: They bought land for crops, acquired a grain mill, opened a home store, and set up a refueling station in their village.
These examples show how the money was used not only for immediate needs but also to create businesses, invest in the community, and establish lasting income streams.
Broader Impact
The initiative demonstrates MrBeast’s evolution as a content creator.
Moving from staging extravagant challenges to supporting basic income solutions shows a new, impactful side of his platform.
By providing cash, people can meet essential needs and set up ventures that foster long-term economic growth.
These shifts in MrBeast’s approach underline the potential of direct financial aid to bring about lasting change.
