CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Oregon helps working families create improved financial futures. We promote state and federal Earned Income Tax Credits, we provide free tax preparation in partnership with AARP Tax-Aide, and we are developing a financial coaching and education program. The Earned Income Tax Credit is the most effective anti-poverty program in the United States. Through outreach and free tax preparation, CASH Oregon ensures that these credits reach eligible families in the Portland Metro area, and that federal tax dollars are return to our local economy. Free tax preparation also helps people avoid excessive tax preparation fees and high-cost refund anticipation loans. By connecting clients to substantial tax refunds, and be providing coaching and education, CASH Oregon will enable many working families to take extra steps down their personal paths toward asset development.

History

CASH Oregon was born out of a desire to better focus the outreach and education efforts of the Oregon Tax Credit Coalition. In 2005, Social Venture Partners Portland a local nonprofit, joined with the Oregon Tax Credit Coalition to form CASH Oregon.

Local human service agencies, in conjunction with the United Way of the Columbia Willamette, formed the Coalition to educate communities in the Portland Metro Area about tax credits available to low-income families and individuals. The Coalition consists of community partners, volunteers and nonprofit organizations and continues to work with CASH Oregon. In previous years, the Coalition established Volunteer Income Tax Aide (VITA) sites throughout the city to aid low-income individuals in filing their taxes with free tax preparation services.

CASH Oregon: Past, Present and Future

CASH Oregon is a community based non-profit organization created to improve the financial health of working families and individuals through increased access to the Earned Income Tax Credit and other federal and state credits. We provide a link to Free tax preparation in the community and financial education resources. CASH Oregon was formed as a successor to the Oregon Tax Credit Coalition in fall 2005 by Social Venture Partners Portland and United Way of the Columbia- Willamette; initial financial support came from the Ann and Bill Swindells Charitable Trust and Social Venture Partners Portland.