Prosperity Campaign
Through the Prosperity Campaign, United Way of Palm Beach County is helping hard-working individuals and families in Palm Beach County achieve financial stability and promote asset development. United Way of Palm Beach County's Prosperity Campaign is nationally recognized as a successful program that teaches these individuals the basics of household budgeting and saving.
Key components of the Prosperity Campaign include:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites
United Way of Palm Beach County’s Prosperity Campaign began in the spring of 2004 with the opening of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. These sites provide free income tax-preparation services to those with an annual income of $42,000 or less a year and, helps those who are eligible for Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) apply for them. The sites are staffed by volunteers who are trained and certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Last year, more than more than 9,500 residents had their taxes filed at a VITA site. The program helped Palm Beach County residents receive more than $14.9 million in tax refunds, including $5.7 million in EITC. In addition, through the free tax service, residents saved more than $1 million in filing fees they would have paid had they used a tax-preparation company. Before United Way's involvement in the VITA Program, only 641 residents were using the service.
In the six years that United Way has led the VITA Program, it has had a $112 million impact on the community*. Research shows that taxpayers receiving refunds through returns processed at VITA sites, used their refunds for many purposes such as paying off debt, investing in education or housing, or opening a bank account. This is new money for the local economy.
Want to have your taxes prepared at a VITA site? There are more than 20 locations in Palm Beach County, including as far south as Boca Raton and as far west as Pahokee and Belle Glade. To find a location near you, please click here. The sites are only open during our VITA tax season January 19 - April 15. However, back-taxes preparation service is available year-round through our Prosperity Centers. You may also click on that link to view and print the VITA flyers and inserts (available in English, Spanish and Creole).
*Estimated based upon methodology applied by Center for Economic Development – University of Illinois Chicago
Individual Development Account (IDA) Program
The IDA Program is a matched-savings program for homeownership or for a micro-enterprise small business. Eligible residents must save $2,000 dollars within six to 40 months. While saving, clients must participate in credit and money management classes offered through United Way's Prosperity Centers. For every dollar a participant puts in their IDA savings account, it is matched by another two dollars. When an IDA participant saves $2,000, it is matched 2:1 so the participants receives $4,000 in matching funds to be used towards the purchase of their new home or business.
Participants must qualify for the IDA program and an applicant’s income must be at 200% of the federal government poverty guidelines. For example, a family with a household of four that earns less than $44,100 a year may qualify; a single person who earns less than $21,660 a year may qualify. The Prosperity Campaign and Prosperity Center staffs have complete eligibility guidelines.
Since the IDA Program began in 2004, more than 60 individuals and families have purchased homes. One individual has started her own business. United Way is proud of the fact that none of its IDA homeowners are in foreclosure.
Prosperity Centers
Prosperity Centers offer Palm Beach County residents a one-stop source of services, including a matched-savings program for home ownership, help in resolving credit issues, money management assistance, benefits assistance and access, education and job assistance, plus free income tax filing services. Prosperity Centers first opened in Palm Beach County in October 2004. United Way's four Prosperity Centers are located in Belle Glade, Delray Beach, Pahokee, and West Palm Beach.
Below are details of each service offered at a Prosperity Center:
Prosperity Center Locations:
United Way Prosperity Center – Belle Glade
Belle Glade Beacon Center
39500 Pioneer Park
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Phone: (561) 996-2479 Fax: (561) 996-5401
United Way Prosperity Center - Delray Beach
Neighborhood Resource Center
141 SW 12th Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33444
Phone: (561) 243-7633 Fax: (561) 243-7630
United Way Prosperity Center - Pahokee
Pahokee Beacon Center
560 E. Main Street
Pahokee, FL 33476
Phone: (561) 924-6306 Fax (561) 924-9753
United Way Prosperity Center – West Palm Beach
Pleasant City Multi-Cultural Center
501 21st Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Phone: (561) 655-7581 Fax: (561) 835-7116
For more information on the Prosperity Campaign and its programs, please contact at (561) 375-6600.