Modernizing America's Safety Net Through Public Interest Technology

Foundational Context & Problem Identification

• Tanya Cushman, founder and CEO of Propel, transitioned from a tech career to social impact in 2014 after recognizing that Silicon Valley software prioritizes middle-to-high-income demographics, neglecting low-income needs.
• Cushman identified a critical inefficiency in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): despite distributing approximately $100 billion in benefits in 2022, users must call a 1-800 number to check EBT card balances, a process described as undignified and outdated compared to private sector banking experiences.
• State administrators initially rejected Cushman's proposal for a modern smartphone app, prioritizing administrative metrics, fraud prevention, and paperwork over user experience.

Propel's Operational Model

• Propel operates under a "public interest technology" model, defined as a non-government entity improving public services through data sharing and safeguards without direct public sector contracts or revenue.
• The company solves the "small problem" of balance visibility by acting as a user-agent to log into state-mandated but poorly marketed government websites, aggregating balance and transaction data into a modern mobile interface.
• The company's primary product, the Providers app, serves over 5 million families monthly, representing approximately 25% of the 20 million U.S. households receiving SNAP benefits.

Revenue Strategy & Social Impact Metrics

• Propel monetizes by solving "sticky poverty" (where 70% of SNAP graduates return to the program within two years) through private sector partnerships rather than charging users or government entities.
• Grocery Savings: The app distributes digital coupons from merchants and brands to SNAP users, generating revenue through retail marketing while helping families stretch benefits.
• Connectivity Access: Propel facilitated access to affordable or free home internet and cell service for over 200,000 families, serving as a marketing channel for the White House's Affordable Connectivity Program.
• Employment Services: The platform has helped 500,000 SNAP recipients secure employment (including on-demand, seasonal, part-time, and full-time roles) and charges employers for successful candidate placements.
• Financial Infrastructure: The company launched a proprietary checking account and debit card specifically for low-income families receiving government payments (SNAP, unemployment, disability, tax credits).
• Unique Data Capability: Propel is the only bank that identifies users' socioeconomic status, enabling direct cash grants from philanthropies; the company processed approximately $3 million in cash grants in Q3 of the current year.

Organizational Structure & Future Outlook

• Propel employs a customer support team composed entirely of former app users and current public benefit recipients to ensure culturally competent assistance.
• The company acknowledges that poverty alleviation requires a tri-sector approach (public, nonprofit, and private) and relies on federal funding mechanisms like the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill.
• Propel is currently collaborating with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to advocate for extending data rights regarding EBT cards to match those held by traditional checking account users.
• Cushman states that while the organization has made progress, the scale of poverty necessitates continued policy support and technological integration across all levels of government.