Make a Donation  


Contact Us


Get E-News





Getting Results





Financial Stability





Helping Local Residents Achieve Financial Stability

In good times and bad times, it is difficult for many of our local neighbors to make ends meet on a daily basis, let alone make economic progress. These important community goals require the integrated assistance of businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, education, and the community at large.

Individuals and families also need access to the tools to increase their income, build savings and gain and sustain assets. United Way is a critical part of both efforts - ensuring that families have the basics to achieve an independent life style and the tools to achieve financial stability.


Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Description of VITA Services:

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a free tax preparation service to families who earn less than $50,000. This service is prepared and completed by certified volunteers.

To Receive VITA Services Bring:

• Photo Indentification (Driver’s License or Passport
• Social Security Card
• W-2, 1099 and/ or 1098 forms from all jobs
• Last year’s tax return
• Bank account numbers (Checking or Savings)

Download list of VITA Service Locations


El Programa de VITA

Descripción de VITA

El programa de VITA (“Volunteer Income Tax Assistance” en ingles) ofrece asistencia voluntaria con la preparación de impuestos. Voluntarios asisten a personas con declaraciones básicas de impuestos para bajos recursos. Familias que ingreso menos de $50,000 por año califican.

Para Recibir Servicos de VITA Traiga:

• Identificación con Foto (Licencia de manejo/pasaporte)
• Tarjeta de Seguro Social o ITIN por cada
• W-2, 1099 y/o 1098 formas por todos los trabajos
• La declaracion de Impuestos del año pasado
• NÚmeros de Cuenta bancaria (Corriente o de ahorros)

Encuentra un sitio local de VITA aqui
 


Background

From 2007 to 2009, United Way of Santa Barbara County’s local community driven Power of Partnership Initiative (POPI) asked 6,000 local individuals from all backgrounds, 300 business and organizations and hundreds of community leaders to share their hopes and desired goals for the future.

POPI reached an unprecedented level of agreement on 10-year goals to help children, families, and seniors with a focus on Education, Financial Stability, and Health.
 

Our Goal

In 2010, United Way of Santa Barbara County launched a 10-year Financial Stability Initiative to accomplish the following goals:

  • Increase by 50% the number of lower income families who are financially stable
  • Increase by 30% the number of seniors, and their families, who report feeling safer in their homes and neighborhoods

Download a copy of United Way's 10 Year Goals
 

Our Strategy

To address the obstacles that prevent local hard working families from getting ahead financially, we launched the Financial Stability initiative that promotes community-change strategies to help families meet their basic needs, while gaining the financial capability to plan for, and accomplish, their long-term financial goals. 

 

Our Programs

$300 Savings Accounts #529 Matching Program
Affordable Housing Partnerships Community Eviction Assistance Programs
CTC: Childcare Tax Credit EITC: Earned Income Tax Credit
Family Senior Caregiver Respite Programs Financial Literacy Training and Workshops
Mega Tax Day Senior Caregiver Coalition
VITA-Volunteer Income Tax Assistance  
 

How You Can Help

Volunteers make United Ways’ tax assistance and financial education programs possible. We can use your help, even if you don’t have an accounting background. Volunteer now to help.

 


Get E-News Updates


Sign up to receive our
E-News to see how United Way of Santa Barbara County helps year-round. Sign up now!
» Learn More



Learn More About....



» Our Health Programs and Initiatives


 


© United Way of Santa Barbara County  All Rights Reserved