Advancing Tax Systems That Work for All

About the Network

The Tax Equity Funders Network brings together national, regional and local level funders working to improve equity and economic security by reducing the tax burden on lower-income workers and modernizing state and federal tax systems. The Tax Equity Funders Network seeks to use the tools of our tax systems to undo historic race, ethnic, gender, and ability discrimination and provide avenues for low- and moderate-income families and communities to thrive.

As a result of our work, funders are more informed about the inequities of the tax system and tax-linked strategies to reduce poverty and improve equity, and able to shape the field according to emerging innovations and best practices.

We celebrated 20 years as a network in 2024. Take a look at our Timeline to learn more about our accomplishments over the years.

See our 2025 Year in review

What do we mean by “tax equity”?


The tax code is one of the largest tools federal, state, and local governments can use to provide families with economic security and wealth-building opportunities. Yet the tax code systematically disadvantages women, people of color, immigrants, and low-income families. The Tax Equity Funders Network is committed to using the tools of our tax systems to undo historic race, ethnic, gender, and ability discrimination and provide avenues for low- and moderate-income families and communities to flourish.

We use the D5 Coalition’s definition of equity to ground our work: “Improving equity is to promote justice, impartiality and fairness within the procedures, processes, and distribution of resources by institutions or systems. Tackling equity issues requires an understanding of the underlying or root causes of outcome disparities within our society.“

Network Goals

The Tax Equity Funders Network works to increase equity, reduce financial stress, and improve health, education and employment outcomes for lower-income Americans by:

Reducing the tax burden to improve outcomes

Expanding access to federal and state tax credits

Removing financial, system, and process burdens

How We Do It

The Tax Equity Funders Network engages philanthropic partners in addressing equity, reducing financial stress, and improving health, education and employment outcomes for lower-income Americans by:

Connecting
Foster greater connections and collaboration among our members.
Strategizing
Hold space for members to create strategies that improve tax code equity.
Building
Continue to build the capacity of the broader funder ecosystem.

Events & Webinars

Skip to content