VACAP EITC Grant Details

The 2006 General Assembly appropriated $230,000 per year to VACAP to provide grants to local organizations to provide outreach, education and free income tax preparation services to citizens who may be eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Funding will support and expand the efforts of the Virginia Community Action Partnership through the Virginia CASH Campaign and will assist local coalitions as they provide low-income individuals and families access to the federal EITC. This is the second year of the grant program.

VACAP EITC coalition partners working to provide education, outreach, financial literacy and free income tax preparation services to eligible EITC recipients. Completed applications for grant funding must reflect compliance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites providing free tax preparation services. All coalitions are required to use the VIRGINIA CASH CAMPAIGN logo/slogan in conjunction with their programs. Coalitions are strongly urged to link EITC with asset building and help promote the VIDA (Virginia Individual Development Account) program.

Grant awards will be distributed based on the age of the coalition, the projected number of clients to be served, the project description, the geographic area and target population of EITC recipients. VACAP strongly recommends that coalitions use TaxWise online so that data can be collected on results.

Grant recipients will be notified by October 22, 2007. Funds will be disbursed by October 29, 2007.

Applications must be received by 4:00 pm, Friday, October 5, 2007 and sent to Virginia Community Action Partnership, 700 E. Franklin St., Suite 14T2, Richmond, VA 23219. Faxed or electronically submitted applications will not be accepted. Please submit an original and three (3) copies of the completed Grant Application.

For assistance or questions please contact Carolyn P. Spohrer, EITC Project Manager at 804-644-0417 or by e-mail.