United Way of Rhode Island Releases RFP for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
In support of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that returns millions of dollars to the pockets of eligible Rhode Islanders, United Way of Rhode Island is making a total of $500,000 in funding available over a two-year grant cycle.
United Way recently issued a request for proposal (RFP) for organizations seeking to serve as a VITA program site. Funding will begin in October 2022 and will be offered for two years of tax seasons (October 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023 and October 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024). Applications must be submitted online. The deadline to submit a grant proposal is August 5, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
United Way has led the state’s VITA efforts since 2005. The program provides free tax preparation services to eligible Rhode Islanders who earn $57,414 or less annually. The goal of VITA is to ensure that taxpayers receive the money they’re due in tax refunds and tax credits. All VITA sites in Rhode Island are staffed by IRS-trained and certified volunteers, and services are offered in multiple languages with returns filed electronically.
Organizations applying for funding must meet eligibility guidelines and adhere to VITA program site requirements. General operating support grants may be requested by nonprofits currently operating or planning to operate a VITA site. Single-site applicants may request up to $10,000, and a lead agency may submit a proposal on behalf of a coalition and may add an additional 10 percent of total funding to be used for administrative costs.
Anyone with general questions may direct their inquiry to Zoya Tseytlin, program officer for workforce development and economic mobility, at zoya.tseytlin@unitedwayri.org.