PHILADELPHIA – The Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) and Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation (Scattergood) announced today that they are seeking grant proposals from Philadelphia-based community organizations to support the Claim Your Money PHL campaign by conducting grassroots outreach to maximize the number of households claiming the federal Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit.
Thanks in large part to the 2021 expanded CTC, EITC, and stimulus payments, the national child poverty rate decreased by 46 percent and fell to the lowest level on record (as measured by the Supplemental Poverty Measure). The work of community partners educating residents about CTC and EITC, and connecting them to free tax preparation, made a big difference in Philadelphia.
“The Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit help Philadelphia families get out of poverty and on the pathway to prosperity,” said Mitchell Little, Executive Director at CEO. “CEO is proud to coordinate the City’s efforts to ensure that this money gets to those who need it most and are often hard to reach by partnering with trusted community messengers. We are excited to team up with Scattergood because they have a strong track record of working with community partners to advance equity.”
“These tax credits can go a long way in reducing stress and anxiety for families. We look forward to working with CEO to aide trusted community organizations in assisting underserved neighborhoods through a hands-on, compassionate approach to put money back in the pockets of Philadelphians,” said Joe Pyle, MA, President of Scattergood.
While Congress has not yet extended the more generous 2021 versions of the CTC and EITC for the upcoming tax year, both programs still exist in their 2020 form, and Philadelphians need help to understand the changes and how to claim what they are owed. Community organizations are invited to submit proposals on how they would educate the community about the credits, connect individuals to trusted organizations that can help them claim the credits for free, and/or help them access non-filer portals to claim the credits. Philadelphia-based organizations with 501 (c)(3) status, or a fiscal sponsor, that already serve marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.
For more information or to apply, organizations should visit www.scattergoodfoundation.org/projects/child-tax-credit. The deadline to submit proposals is December 1, 2022.
The goal is to fund 10 to 20 organizations for proposals of $5,000 to $20,000 each. Proposals for greater than $20,000 will be considered if they have the potential to make a significant impact on the number of Philadelphians reached.
“We strongly encourage applications from organizations whose staff, board, and/or volunteers include representation from the communities this project aims to reach,” Little added.
About the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO)
CEO provides leadership on issues of economic justice by advancing racial equity and inclusive growth to ensure that all Philadelphians can share in the city’s prosperous future. As the Community Action Agency (CAA) for the City of Philadelphia, CEO awards Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds to more than 20 programs that serve thousands of low-income residents each year. More information is available at www.phila.gov/ceo.
About the Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation
The Scattergood Foundation believes major disruption is needed to build a stronger, more effective, compassionate, and inclusive society where behavioral health is central. We approach our work with humility and strive to share power responsibly while being unrelenting advocates for practices that advance equity for all. At the Foundation, we THINK, DO, and SUPPORT in order to shift the paradigm and practice for behavioral health, and recognize the unique spark and basic dignity in every human. More information is available at www.scattergoodfoundation.org