The Center for Economic Progress (CEP) is a non-profit organization based in Chicago that offers free tax preparation and financial counseling to low-income families.[1]
Services
editAs part of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, CEP provides free tax preparation at sites in Chicago and surrounding Illinois during tax season to families that earn under $50,000 annually or individuals who earn under $25,000.[2] It also promoted the 2010 US Census at its tax sites in neighborhoods that showed especially low response rates in 2000.
In 2009, CEP helped 33,000 Illinois families obtain $52 million in tax refunds.[3] Since 1990, it has helped 230,000 families obtain $340 million in refunds.[4]
CEP employs approximately 50 staff members and recruits more than one thousand volunteer tax preparers each year.[5]
Operations
editIn the past three years, Charity Navigator has awarded CEP a three- or four-star rating (good or excellent) for organizational efficiency and organizational capacity for the last three annual reporting periods.[6] CEP’s fund raising efficiency is above both the Chicago and national average for nonprofit organizations. It currently costs CEP six cents to raise one dollar.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Center for Economic Progress: About Us". Center for Economic Progress. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- ^ Finkel, Ed (26 March 2010). "Lower-income filers receive free tax prep". newcommunities.org. LISC/Chicago's New Communities Program. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- ^ Black, Curtis (2 March 2010). "Tax refund loans targetted". communitymediaworkshop.org. Community Media Workshop. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- ^ Cepeda, Esther J. (15 February 2010). "Volunteers help make tax time a little less taxing for low-income". 600words.com. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- ^ "Tax and Financial Services Highlights" (PDF). Center for Economic Progress. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
- ^ "Center for Economic Progress". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
- ^ "Center for Economic Progress. Using Donations Wisely". Center for Economic Progress. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
External Links
editCategory:501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations Category:Non-profit organizations based in Chicago, Illinois