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Economic Opportunities Program

EITC

In 2000, the Annie E. Casey Foundation began funding interventions aimed at ensuring that the working poor take advantage of Earned Income Tax Credits. EITC campaigns supported by the foundation attempt to provide: education and assistance so that qualified filers access the tax credits they are due; quality tax services at an affordable price; and other supports so that individuals use the tax code and tax credits to build financial assets.

The foundation also finances studies to understand the costs and benefits related to implementing EITC campaigns. In 2003, Aspen/EOP received funding to identify promising initiatives and provide sub-grants and technical assistance to move innovations forward.

These efforts have resulted in: a paper that synthesizes the lessons learned through the various innovations, with a goal of expanding our understanding of the challenges of scale for the community economic development field; and case studies detailing EITC campaigns in several communities. (See below for details.)

Funder: Annie E. Casey Foundation

Research products to date:

"Innovations for Scale and Sustainability in EITC Campaigns, Lessons for Community Development from Two Years of Pilots"
December 2005

Drawing on the experiences of EITC campaigns conducted in five communities that sought to achieve scale, sustainability and impact, this 10-page paper extracts common themes and offers insight into bigger questions about the potential for scale in community economic development.

Also available are individual reports on several EITC pilot projects that document the experiences, describe the challenges encountered and share both the results to date and lessons learned. They are:

"Innovations for Scale and Sustainability in EITC Campaigns, Partnering with a Commercial Tax Preparer: Lessons from Tulsa, Okla."

"Innovations for Scale and Sustainability in EITC Campaigns, Bringing Financial Empowerment to the Workplace: Second-Year Lessons from Chicago, Ill."

"Innovations for Scale and Sustainability in EITC Campaigns, Connecting EITC and Asset Building to Workforce Development One-Stops: Second-Year Lessons from Louisville, Ky."

"Innovations for Scale and Sustainability in EITC Campaigns, Employer Partnerships for Tax Preparation and Quick Refunds: Lessons from Baltimore, Md."