IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Please Check One: Existing [ X ] Emerging [ ]
TERRITORY NAME: Newark
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: Delaware EITC Campaign
Coalition Website: www.nehemiahgateway.org
Key Coalition City/State: Wilmington, Delaware
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Victor Valentine
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: vvalentine@nehemiahgateway.org (302) 655-0803
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: 2002 - Delaware statewide
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
Outreach Strategy: Provide information about EITC to those eligible to receive it, including those having limited English
h proficiency. Also provide information on the Child Tax Credit and other benefits for low- to moderate-income taxpayers.
Tax Preparation Strategy: Provide free tax preparation to the low- to moderate-income community at strategically located
h sites in areas with a high density of people who are within the targeted demographic sectors.
Asset-Building Strategy: To provide individuals with the tools necessary to adequately manage their finances and savings.
These tools include credit reports with scores, establishing bank accounts, bond purchases, financial counseling, and others.
h
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
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Core Planning Group
AICPA
Citibank
Governor of Delaware
Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation
Shiloh Baptist Church
United Way of Delaware
Wilmington Mayor's Office
Other Coalition Members
Boys and Girls Clubs
Delaware Department of Health & Human Services
First State Community Action
Goodwill - DE
State of Delaware Chamber of Commerce
University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical College.
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
Providing free credit reports with scores and offering a full credit counseling program through additional partnerships.
Developed an accredited accounting course with university coalition members whereby interested students can receive three
college accounting credits by completing the tax law training, passing the IRS certification test, and volunteering an agreed-
upon number of hours at VITA sites.
Partnered with United Way of Delaware and other Delaware non-profit agencies to establish a coalition to promote the
Disability Initiative in Delaware
Coalition offered a free debit card for interested clients to use. They partnered with Artisan's Bank to provide a debit card for
the coalition to offer clients who wanted quick access to refunds, but were not interested in a formal direct deposit to a bank
account. There was no fee to receive the card and the up to $2,000 in federal income tax refund was available within 10 days
(similar to the formal direct deposit refund timeframe).
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)
Continue to develop Super Sites throughout Delaware to concentrate the asset-building/tax return preparation activities.
Continue working with Delaware Department of Labor, United Way and other nonprofit organizations to reach the disabled
individuals and families with disabled persons to disseminate asset-building and tax information.