Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough Pinellas Counties

1. 1 Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties EITC Awareness Free Tax Prep Financial Literacy

2. 2 How is the EITC like “hitting the jackpot” in Vegas? Everyone makes out like a bandit !

3. 3 The EITC……. Helps some low-income families cover immediate bills and other needs that directly affect their ability to keep working. Helps other low-income working families achieve some level of economic success and their maintain self-sufficiency in today’s economy. Offers still other low-income families the opportunity to save money, acquire assets, and achieve economic stability now and for the future.

4. 4 The EITC……. Is something that all organizations in the community are willing to work together on. It is the first step in creating a true working partnership around the issue of self-sufficiency. The EITC is tangible, measurable, and something that helps- RIGHT NOW!

5. 5 Prosperity Campaign “An organization of partners providing a regional umbrella for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties to promote self-sufficiency through strategies and activities determined most appropriate for each locale/county.”

6. 6 Background Launched after unsuccessful “living wage” campaign Initiated by Hillsborough County Government Established with United Way support in mid-2004 as a two-county effort

7. 7 Founding Partners ARP Tax-Aide Foundation Children’s Board of Hillsborough County Hillsborough County Government Internal Revenue Service Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County United Way of Tampa Bay

8. 8 Mission To promote and expand economic opportunities and financial knowledge for low- and moderate-income working families in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

9. 9 Structure Governing Board Chairs/Co-Chairs Operations Team Staff Support Charter

10. 10 Focus Education and outreach to increase the number of families who know about and claim the EITC and CTC. Free tax preparation to increase participation and reduce fees related to commercial filing. Programs and services to help families gain economic self-sufficiency by making wise and informed financial decisions.

11. 11 Education and Outreach 150+ outreach partners 640,00 flyers and payroll inserts 500 “Ask Me About Free Tax Prep” buttons 4,000+ tax assistance calls logged to 2-1-1 “Free Tax Preparation Here” signs Presentations, newsletters, press releases, radio and television interviews

12. 12 Lessons Learned Location, location, location! English may be a second language. Slick is not always good. It’s the message, stupid. With a little help from my friends… Twinkle, twinkle little star.

13. 13 Free Tax Preparation 63 Tax Preparation Sites in 2006 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (9) AARP Tax-Aide Foundation (45) The Benefit Bank (9)

14. 14 The Benefit Bank Online counselor-assisted tax program. Promotes empowerment and self-sufficiency. Nine sites including two closed to the public. Train-the-Trainer sessions to provide local trainers. TBB Affiliate for Hillsborough County.

15. 15 Tax Site Results 2004 Tax Year 15,043 tax returns $2.9 million EITC $1.5 million CDC 10.8 million TOTAL 2005 Tax Year 16,434 tax returns $3.98 million EITC $1.6 million CDC $14.8 million TOTAL

16. 16 2005 Tax SeasonReturn on Investment Dollars Returned $14,800,000 Value of Services $ 2,500.000 Cost of Campaign $ 279,000 R.O.I. was $62.00 for every $1.00 spent.

17. 17 Lessons Learned The IRS is your friend. AARP is not just for old folks. Volunteers are hard to find. Let 2-1-1 work 4 you!

18. 18 Programs and Services to Help Families Gain Economic Self-Sufficiency

19. 19 Efforts to Date Financial Literacy Classes Quick Guides Get Checking! Tampa Bay Saves

20. 20 Get Checking ! Karin M. Klaassen Community Relations Manager Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc. 1-800-741-7040, Ext. 293

21. Lisa Leslie Extension Agent University of Florida/Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension (813) 744-5519, Ext. 143 lmleslie@ufl.edu

22. What is Cooperative Extension? Partnership between the University of Florida & County Governments. Extends the education & research from the University of Florida into the local community. Long tradition in helping the agricultural industry. Every county in Florida has an Extension Office.

23. Extension’s Educational Program Areas Family & Consumer Sciences Financial Management Parenting Nutrition 4-H Horticulture Agriculture Natural Resources

26. America Saves National campaign coordinated by the Consumer Federation Of America (CFA) National advisory committee Includes guidance from major governmental, non-profit, and business organizations

27. Social Marketing Build Awareness Examples Remove barriers to behavior change

28. America Saves Social Marketing Build Wealth Decrease Debt Enroll “Savers” Savers make a goal Develop a plan to save

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30. Local Campaigns Encouraged by America Saves All over the country Florida Okaloosa Saves –coordinated by Okaloosa County Extension Miami Saves –just getting started Jacksonville Saves

31. America Saves Provides some support for local campaigns Guidance Localized brochures to enroll Savers Quarterly newsletter for Savers Database to track “Savers” Local Website Mini-grants

32. Campaign Promotion is very important Enroll Savers Motivational classes Coordinate events to promote savings Roll Your Change Week Build Wealth Week Contests EITC sites and split refunds Saves Week

33. Essential for a local campaign Financial Institutions -Banks and Credit Unions Provide no fee/low minimum balance savings accounts Help promote the campaign Provide other support when possible- incentives for savers Employers and organizations Host motivational/educational events Promote the campaign to employees, clients, members Community Support & Collaboration Prosperity Campaign

34. Campaign Coordinators: Hillsborough and Pinellas County Extension Financial Institutions: Employers Government Organizations

35. Financial Institutions Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union Fifth Third Bank Florida West Coast Credit Union Pinellas Credit Union Washington Mutual

36. Employers Cox Target Media JPMorgan Chase Tech Data Corporation Pinellas County Hillsborough County

37. Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties Florida Department of Financial Services Internal Revenue Service Adding members

39. What is Saves Week? The focus of Saves week is on financial action The goal is to motivate individuals to save, reduce debt, and build wealth. Jumpstart new campaigns Revitalize existing campaigns

40. Pilot January – June 2006 Motivational classes Enroll savers Financial education classes Saves Week Events Follow-up with Savers

42. 42 Future Directions Increased linkage with existing programs in the community, bringing them on-site whenever possible, and creating new opportunities as needed. Budget and credit counseling and mentoring Debt management and consolidation Financial education workshops and classes including first-time home buyers classes Employment, training, and job counseling Assistance accessing low interest home loans; Individual Development Accounts to assist with down payments.

43. 43 Contact For More Information: Hillsborough County Health & Social Services 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 301-7352