(From the May 2008 Newsletter)
Wow. If you’re following SVPP closely, your head is spinning like mine. We’re proud to announce our latest investment in this issue and give you some photo highlights of our recent Annual Partners’ Meeting—one of the best yet. The efforts of our Partners in building the infrastructure of our Investees to accomplish their missions keeps getting stronger, as you can read in the feature on CASH Oregon below. And we’re embarking still on a summer of interesting activities and a strategic planning exercise that will help us deepen our impact and grow our Partnership. Whew!
- Mark Holloway, Executive Director
CASH Oregon: Portlanders Benefit...80 Times Over!
(From the May 2008 Newsletter)
When Dilshad came to the CASH tax preparation site at Portland State University, she was only looking to access free tax preparation services. As a single
Middle-Eastern mother of five young daughters, she had been very responsible in filing her previous two tax returns. In both cases she expected refunds but unfortunately never saw a dime returned. With an income of $16,000/year through her job at a Portland nonprofit organization and tuition costs as she pursued a college degree in her “free time,” Dilshad needed those dimes and any other money she could scrape together. So the CASH tax volunteer filed her return electronically and shared the joyful news that she would be receiving $3,600 in refunds and credits. But the return was rejected—seven times. The CASH volunteer learned that the names and social security numbers did not match because the children were registered federally in their father’s last name. When it was finally corrected and settled, CASH also amended the 2005 and 2006 returns and Dilshad walked away with more than $10,000 to help raise her young daughters and pursue her education.
This is but one story of the more than 16,000 taxpayers helped by CASH this year. In only its third year of filing returns and accessing Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) from federal and state bureaus, CASH returned more than $4 million to lower income working families. On top of this, $12 million was returned in federal tax refunds to the taxpayers. That’s an 80x return on CASH’s $150,000 annual budget. State tax refund totals are not yet available, but also promise to add significantly to that number.
This work by SVPP Partners, in cooperation with AARP Tax Aide and the Oregon Tax Credit Coalition, a collection of organizations promoting EITC, has helped the local community access critical resources for some of its most disadvantaged working citizens. The average adjusted gross annual income of CASH clients this tax season was less than $20,000. At its Lloyd Center location, a CASH super site where more than 1,700 returns were filed, 62% of the clients where non-Caucasian (27% Hispanic, 21% Afro-American; 7% Asian; 2% Native American, 5% other/more than one).
In addition to helping families struggling to make ends meet, the credits and refunds returned to the community help spur the local economy with additional revenue. Research in other cities has also shown that the money returned has a 1.8 multiplier effect in the local economy because it is most often spent locally on rent, utilities, transportation and basic necessities.
While the refund figures are impressive for CASH third year of tax prep service, the IRS estimates that citizens of Portland may be eligible, but are not claiming more than $18 million in federal credits, with millions more in refunds available. This gap provides CASH and its supporters incentive to build its infrastructure and increase its outreach to unserved working families. It currently operates on a low budget and large volunteer base through AARP but is seeking government, foundation and private funding to scale up its efforts. It hopes to add additional “super sites” like its Lloyd Center location to provide tax credit access five days per week in a CASH-dedicated facility. All of its other locations are hosted sites only accessible one or two days per week. CASH is also piloting a financial advocacy program to provide education and coaching on money matters to its clients working on low fixed incomes.
To learn more about CASH Oregon, donate or get involved in this SVPP investment, visit www.CASHOregon.org or contact SVPP Team Lead Bruce Murray.
When Dilshad came to the CASH tax preparation site at Portland State University, she was only looking to access free tax preparation services. As a single
Middle-Eastern mother of five young daughters, she had been very responsible in filing her previous two tax returns. In both cases she expected refunds but unfortunately never saw a dime returned. With an income of $16,000/year through her job at a Portland nonprofit organization and tuition costs as she pursued a college degree in her “free time,” Dilshad needed those dimes and any other money she could scrape together. So the CASH tax volunteer filed her return electronically and shared the joyful news that she would be receiving $3,600 in refunds and credits. But the return was rejected—seven times. The CASH volunteer learned that the names and social security numbers did not match because the children were registered federally in their father’s last name. When it was finally corrected and settled, CASH also amended the 2005 and 2006 returns and Dilshad walked away with more than $10,000 to help raise her young daughters and pursue her education.This is but one story of the more than 16,000 taxpayers helped by CASH this year. In only its third year of filing returns and accessing Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) from federal and state bureaus, CASH returned more than $4 million to lower income working families. On top of this, $12 million was returned in federal tax refunds to the taxpayers. That’s an 80x return on CASH’s $150,000 annual budget. State tax refund totals are not yet available, but also promise to add significantly to that number.
This work by SVPP Partners, in cooperation with AARP Tax Aide and the Oregon Tax Credit Coalition, a collection of organizations promoting EITC, has helped the local community access critical resources for some of its most disadvantaged working citizens. The average adjusted gross annual income of CASH clients this tax season was less than $20,000. At its Lloyd Center location, a CASH super site where more than 1,700 returns were filed, 62% of the clients where non-Caucasian (27% Hispanic, 21% Afro-American; 7% Asian; 2% Native American, 5% other/more than one).
In addition to helping families struggling to make ends meet, the credits and refunds returned to the community help spur the local economy with additional revenue. Research in other cities has also shown that the money returned has a 1.8 multiplier effect in the local economy because it is most often spent locally on rent, utilities, transportation and basic necessities.
While the refund figures are impressive for CASH third year of tax prep service, the IRS estimates that citizens of Portland may be eligible, but are not claiming more than $18 million in federal credits, with millions more in refunds available. This gap provides CASH and its supporters incentive to build its infrastructure and increase its outreach to unserved working families. It currently operates on a low budget and large volunteer base through AARP but is seeking government, foundation and private funding to scale up its efforts. It hopes to add additional “super sites” like its Lloyd Center location to provide tax credit access five days per week in a CASH-dedicated facility. All of its other locations are hosted sites only accessible one or two days per week. CASH is also piloting a financial advocacy program to provide education and coaching on money matters to its clients working on low fixed incomes.
To learn more about CASH Oregon, donate or get involved in this SVPP investment, visit www.CASHOregon.org or contact SVPP Team Lead Bruce Murray.
SVPP's Newest Investment: Friends of the Children
(From the May 2008 Newsletter)
A local program that provides paid “Friends” for the Portland area’s most vulnerable children and youth has been selected as SVPP's latest community investment. Following several months of outreach, review, site visits and deliberations, SVPP Partners selected Friends of the Children-Portland to receive a cash grant of $25,000, volunteer expertise offered by the Partners and access to networks and tools available through the association.
Established in 1993, Friends of the Children has been heralded for their effective model of supporting kids to earn their high school diploma, avoid early parenting and avoid involvement with the juvenile justice system. Friends of the Children works with each child for 12½ years, identifying them in kindergarten through a detailed set of vulnerability indicators. The organization then provides a full-time, paid, professional mentor to spend a minimum of four hours every week teaching the child valuable life skills, instilling positive behaviors and helping the child grow into responsible adults. Just one indicator of their success: 97% of Friends’ adolescents have avoided early parenting despite 60% having been born to a teen mother.
SVPP invests in the Portland-area’s nonprofit organizations addressing critical needs for children, youth and families at risk. SVPP seeks organizations with effective programs, visionary leadership and clear opportunities for strengthening or growing their organization. In addition to providing an annual cash grant, SVPP Partners provide professional expertise and other volunteer assistance to the Investees. The Friends of the Children investment will focus on providing benchmarking information, a streamlined data collection system and general capacity building to double their size in five years.
To learn more about this SVPP investment, donate or get involved, see www.friendsofthechildren.org/portland or contact SVPP’s Team Lead Steve Acheff.
A local program that provides paid “Friends” for the Portland area’s most vulnerable children and youth has been selected as SVPP's latest community investment. Following several months of outreach, review, site visits and deliberations, SVPP Partners selected Friends of the Children-Portland to receive a cash grant of $25,000, volunteer expertise offered by the Partners and access to networks and tools available through the association.
Established in 1993, Friends of the Children has been heralded for their effective model of supporting kids to earn their high school diploma, avoid early parenting and avoid involvement with the juvenile justice system. Friends of the Children works with each child for 12½ years, identifying them in kindergarten through a detailed set of vulnerability indicators. The organization then provides a full-time, paid, professional mentor to spend a minimum of four hours every week teaching the child valuable life skills, instilling positive behaviors and helping the child grow into responsible adults. Just one indicator of their success: 97% of Friends’ adolescents have avoided early parenting despite 60% having been born to a teen mother.SVPP invests in the Portland-area’s nonprofit organizations addressing critical needs for children, youth and families at risk. SVPP seeks organizations with effective programs, visionary leadership and clear opportunities for strengthening or growing their organization. In addition to providing an annual cash grant, SVPP Partners provide professional expertise and other volunteer assistance to the Investees. The Friends of the Children investment will focus on providing benchmarking information, a streamlined data collection system and general capacity building to double their size in five years.
To learn more about this SVPP investment, donate or get involved, see www.friendsofthechildren.org/portland or contact SVPP’s Team Lead Steve Acheff.
Annual Partners Meeting: Photo Essay
(From the May 2008 Newsletter)
- Howard Shapiro and Ray Mathis enjoy a moment.
- Annual Meeting speaker, Paul Brainerd
- Partner Heather Beusse listens intently in the audience.
- Partners Valerie Ilsley, Ed Mueller, Dina Alexander enjoy each other's company.
- Mark Holloway shares the positive impact of SVPP investments.
- Kirt Nilsson learns about The Shadow Project from Board member Ken Moore.
SVPP President's Award Honors Bruce Murray
(From the May 2008 Newsletter)
Each year, the SVPP President’s Award is presented to the individual Partner whose efforts, commitment and impact on SVPP, its Investees and the community is deserving of special recognition. This year’s recipient is Bruce Murray. Bruce has been a Partner for more than four years and made an extraordinary difference in the growth and success of CASH Oregon (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope). Bruce has acted as Lead Partner for CASH for the last three years and is currently serving as chair of its Board of Directors. Bruce has been instrumental in growing the concept of CASH with a coalition of concerned citizens and non-profits into a fully independent and thriving 501(c)(3). Additionally, he serves as editor of the CASH newsletter and has been a key figure in fundraising. Special thanks go out to Bruce for making such a significant impact on SVPP and our community!
Each year, the SVPP President’s Award is presented to the individual Partner whose efforts, commitment and impact on SVPP, its Investees and the community is deserving of special recognition. This year’s recipient is Bruce Murray. Bruce has been a Partner for more than four years and made an extraordinary difference in the growth and success of CASH Oregon (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope). Bruce has acted as Lead Partner for CASH for the last three years and is currently serving as chair of its Board of Directors. Bruce has been instrumental in growing the concept of CASH with a coalition of concerned citizens and non-profits into a fully independent and thriving 501(c)(3). Additionally, he serves as editor of the CASH newsletter and has been a key figure in fundraising. Special thanks go out to Bruce for making such a significant impact on SVPP and our community!
Congratulations to Julie Young
(From the May 2008 Newsletter)
Partner Julie Young was honored on May 8, 2008, with Portland State University’s President’s Award for University Advancement. This honor recognizes Julie for her outstanding achievement and contributions to PSU, the community and her field of work. Julie is a 1993 Master of Social Work graduate of PSU. Congratulations Julie. Well deserved!
Partner Julie Young was honored on May 8, 2008, with Portland State University’s President’s Award for University Advancement. This honor recognizes Julie for her outstanding achievement and contributions to PSU, the community and her field of work. Julie is a 1993 Master of Social Work graduate of PSU. Congratulations Julie. Well deserved!
Welcome to New Partners Phil and Debbie Richman
(From the May 2008 Newsletter)
Debbie and Phil Richman will be celebrating their ten-year wedding anniversary this June. Debbie grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and Phil was raised in Lakewood, Colorado. They met while attending college at the University of Colorado in Boulder and began dating during their senior year. In 1999, they moved to Oregon for Phil to attend graduate school at the University of Oregon and migrated to Portland in 2001. Their daughter, Kaia, is 7 years old and will be entering second grade at The International School (Spanish track). Their son, Quinn, turned 3 in February and will be starting at Village Preschool this fall. The Richmans live in Southwest Portland. Phil is a bike commuter who works at Wachovia Securities and Debbie is a stay-at-home parent currently taking courses in Fitness Technology at Portland Community College and training for her first triathlon this summer.
Debbie and Phil Richman will be celebrating their ten-year wedding anniversary this June. Debbie grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and Phil was raised in Lakewood, Colorado. They met while attending college at the University of Colorado in Boulder and began dating during their senior year. In 1999, they moved to Oregon for Phil to attend graduate school at the University of Oregon and migrated to Portland in 2001. Their daughter, Kaia, is 7 years old and will be entering second grade at The International School (Spanish track). Their son, Quinn, turned 3 in February and will be starting at Village Preschool this fall. The Richmans live in Southwest Portland. Phil is a bike commuter who works at Wachovia Securities and Debbie is a stay-at-home parent currently taking courses in Fitness Technology at Portland Community College and training for her first triathlon this summer.
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