Exploring United Way Engagement in EITC Campaigns

Summary

This report — the result of a United Way of America survey and working group — reflects the organization’s staunch commitment to helping vulnerable families utilize the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). It offers field-tested advice, square-one strategies and EITC program facts as part of a larger effort to help United Way sites across the country support local EITC campaigns.

Table of Contents

• Acknowledgements
• Table of Contents
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• The Earned Income Tax Credit
• An Introduction to EITC Campaigns
• EITC Campaigns and United Ways
• Levels of United Way Engagement in EITC Campaigns
• United Way Partner Roles in EITC Campaigns
• Linking EITC Efforts to Asset Building Initiatives
• Increasing United Way Engagement: EITC Campaigns and 2-1-1
• EITC Campaigns: Challenges and Strategies
• Next Steps
• Looking Ahead
• Endnotes
• Appendices

Key Takeaway

Introducing the EITC—America’s largest and most powerful antipoverty program

In 2003, the EITC lifted five million Americans out of poverty while returning a combined $36 billion to 20 million low-wage workers. Despite the program’s success, the Internal Review Service estimates that four million eligible families fail to file for the credit each year.