Inform. Advocate. Transform.

Providing Rhode Islanders with research, analysis, and advocacy on transformational and equitable fiscal and policy changes to advance racial and economic justice.

RI Budget, Revenue & Tax Fairness
Race, Equity & Democracy
Economic Opportunity
Investment in Children & Healthcare
Lifting Rhode Islanders Out of Poverty
Featured Report

The 2024 Rhode Island Standard of Need

Many Rhode Islanders’ wages are too low to meet basic living costs such as housing, food, healthcare, and child care. For 25 years, EPI has documented how hard it is for many people to make ends meet in our organization’s signature research report, titled the Rhode Island Standard of Need. The 25th anniversary edition of this report delves into topics like economic security (or insecurity, as the case may be), household earnings, work support programs, and many others. For the first time, the Rhode Island Standard of Need report also explores the genuine geographical differences in the cost of a “basic needs” budget county by county. Through it and other research, EPI aims to give policymakers and the public objective information with which to pursue and achieve a shared prosperity.
 

Read the Report
Latest updates, publications and reports
Presentations & Videos
Navigating Public Benefits in Rhode Island
Nov 08, 2024
Nov 08, 2024
Report
2024 Rhode Island Standard of Need Infographic
Oct 15, 2024
Oct 15, 2024
Report
2024 Rhode Island Standard of Need
Sep 30, 2024
Sep 30, 2024
Report
EPI's Review of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and 2024 Legislative Session
Jul 31, 2024
Jul 31, 2024
Who We Are

We advocate for policies that improve economic security and opportunity for Rhode Islanders.

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Guide to Assistance

Explore government assistance programs and local resources

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By the Numbers

The Rhode Island Standard of Need

$10M

Money awarded to 80K working Rhode islanders by increasing the EITC

30K+

RI workers with raised incomes by increasing the minimum wage

100K+

RI workers provided with access to earned sick time to care for themselves and loved ones

1 in 3

RI citizens with protected medicaid coverage and access to senior care

Key Facts & Figures

The Economic Progress Institute (EPI) is a leader in making important gains for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders. With your support, we are putting more Rhode Islanders on a path to economic progress.

  • Affordable Child Care for More Working Families
  • Accounting for all state spending
  • Investing in worker skills
  • A healthier Rhode Island
  • Making work pay
  • Raising revenue in a fair way
More about our impact
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Invest in Progress

Together, we can advance policy solutions for all Rhode Islanders that will create good job opportunities, a safe place to live, adequate food, and affordable health care.