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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1775 |
| Prosperity Campaign |
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| Requester: |
Susan Arnett |
Organization: |
United Way of Pasco County |
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| Project Title: |
Prosperity Campaign |
Date Submitted |
1/12/2006 12:07:50 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Fasano |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| According to the IRS 2003 Tax Year Data 1, 527, 268 returns filed in Florida recieved the ETI, bringing $2,749,698,969 back to our state economy. Unfortunately, the IRS estimates that in the same year, 376,513 participants are eligible for the credit but did not claim it, leaving 242,997,343 unclaime. This project helps the citizens of Pasco County obtain those unclaimed funds, thus generating additional dollars for the state economy. The financial planning component of this program encourages low-income families to use the money they recieve for home-ownership; which further stabalizes Florida's economy. |
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| Recipient: |
United Way of Pasco County |
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Contact: |
Melissa Thompson |
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P.O. Box 609 |
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Contact Phone: |
(727) 845-3030 |
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Port Richey 34673 |
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Contact email: |
melissa.thompson1@unitedway.org |
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| Counties: |
Pasco |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| The prosperity campaign is a joint partnership of United Way of Pasco, AARP, and the IRS. It is dedicated to helping citizens achieve financial success. According to the 200 US Census, over 45% of Pasco households are considered low to moderate income. Many are eligible for tax credits that they are unaware of, specifically the ETI. This program implements strategies to increase economic opportunities for low-income families (in hopes to moving them from public assistance to financial independence) through outreach and awareness (educate them on the benefits and their eligibility for ETI and child tax credits; Free Tax Preperation- (helping them recieve the credits they are entitled to via the help of certified volunteers); and asset development (assisting low-income families with using their tax returns wisely. In addition to linking them with low cost banking services, the project partners with Pasco Govt. to provide matching grants for tax refunds and 0% interest loans to be used to the purchase of a home. |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| In 2004, we experienced an increase of total EITC dollars refunded from 150,000 in 2003 (countywide) to $278,000. We anticipate doubling the total dollars returned this year to be approx. 600,000. Additionally, we anticipated helping 10-15 families become first-time homebuyers in Pasco County. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$25,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$48,919 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Private |
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Cash Amount |
$ |
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In-kind Amount |
$23,919 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
According to the IRS, 6000 families in Pasco are eligible but don't claimETI- a 4 mill. loss per yr |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Pasco Legislative Delegation |
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Hearing Meeting Date: |
11/01/2005 |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
