SunTrust Foundation Awards $10,000 Grant to United Way of Pasco County
September 24, 2018 (Land O’ Lakes, FL). The SunTrust Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to United Way of Pasco County to help expand free tax preparation service for Pasco County residents. The United Way of Pasco County Prosperity Campaign helps Pasco County residents by providing a free tax return preparation service that’s individualized and has no strings attached. This volunteer-driven program exists as a partnership between the IRS VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide and the United Way of Pasco County. Program volunteers help Pasco residents keep their hard earned money by focusing on vital tax credits that go unclaimed every year such as earned income tax credit (EITC), child care, and elderly tax credits.
“SunTrust is committed to helping everyone in our community gain financial confidence,” said Tim Schar, SunTrust Bank Tampa Bay market president. “On behalf of the SunTrust Foundation, we believe this grant will empower Pasco County residents as they enter the upcoming tax season.”
Receiving a tax refund can mean the difference between deciding to buy groceries or keep the lights on for many Pasco residents. Since 2004, the IRS-Certified Prosperity Campaign volunteers have prepared income tax returns for thousands of low-to-moderate income residents at no cost. Last year alone, this resulted in more than $1.5 million saved on paid returns!
In 2018, volunteers filed more than 8,700 returns, bringing more than $7.5 million in refunds to local Pasco residents and more than $1.5 million in EITC refunds alone! With the average income of the Pasco taxpayers hovering around $26,000, the EITC and other tax credits, combined with the free tax return preparation service, makes a significant and positive economic impact in the households of Pasco residents.
Volunteer with the United Way of Pasco County to help Pasco residents to keep their hard earned money! For more information or to volunteer, please call Kelly Steen at 727-835-2023 or email ksteen@unitedwaypasco.org.
###
About United Way of Pasco County: United Way of Pasco County (UWPC) was founded in 1982 and since that time has raised millions of dollars to address some of Pasco County’s most critical community needs. As an organization, UWPC is committed to advancing the common good in Pasco County through collaboration and partnership with highly-effective nonprofit programs in the community. UWPC brings together people from all across the community – government, business, faith groups, nonprofits, labor and ordinary citizens – to tackle the issues that matter most in the community. The organization is headquartered in Land O’Lakes, FL. For more information about United Way, please visit www.unitedwaypasco.org. Follow us on social media: www.facebook.com/unitedwaypasco
The United Way of Pasco County is a non-profit as defined under IRS Code 501©(3). No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution. Please keep a copy of this form for your tax records. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling our toll-free within the state, (1-800-435-7352). Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. United Way of Pasco County, Inc. neither hires nor contracts with professional solicitors. Each contribution received by the United Way of Pasco County is applied 100 percent to approved programs, services and operations. Registration #CH728
About SunTrust Foundation
The SunTrust Foundation is committed to SunTrust Bank’s purpose of Lighting the Way to Financial Well-Being by engaging with local and national organizations to advance financial confidence. Grants and activities focus primarily on financial education, financial counseling, career readiness and small business/entrepreneurship, in addition to local community grants. The SunTrust Foundation supports American Red Cross disaster relief efforts and contributes as a United Way Global Corporate Leader. Established in 2008, the SunTrust Foundation has proudly provided grants totaling more than$128 million throughout the United States.