Tax Day Reflection: Our CASH Risk Pays Off!

2015 marks 10 years since SVP and several collaborative partners gave birth to CASH Oregon!

CASH provides free tax preparation for low income families and individuals in Oregon, improving their financial health and financial futures. A nonprofit startup was a big risk for our young organization but during SVP's investment period (2005-2011), CASH increased its operating budget by 500%, vastly improving its capacity and community reach. Today, CASH has a stable funding base, a professional staff, and free tax preparation offered statewide.  They are still in partnership with AARP Tax-Aide, our key collaborating partner from the outset. Whereas CASH Oregon started with a base of 8,500 free tax returns completed annually, volunteers now complete 56,000 returns, with about 5000 returns at the Lloyd Center flagship site alone.  That brings back more than $56 million each year to Oregon—not bad for a seven year investment of $171,000 and countless hours of time nurturing their success.