Strategic Philanthropy at Tax Time: Learning from Outreach and Engagement Innovations

Through significant investments in outreach and engagement campaigns over the past few years, the field has learned a lot about the best ways to reach traditionally overlooked target audiences to file for critical tax credits and tax processes. Building on key lessons from recent national initiatives—including the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) outreach effort and the IRS Direct File engagement pilot—this session explored how philanthropic dollars can play a catalytic role in connecting millions of eligible families with the tax benefits they deserve.

We heard from experts and practitioners who led outreach campaigns, worked with community-based organizations, and developed innovative engagement strategies to reach underserved populations. We also learned how targeted funding can boost enrollment, expand access to free tax filing tools, and strengthen the civic infrastructure around tax time.

Whether your foundation is already active in this space or exploring new ways to promote economic equity and financial stability, this webinar offers insights, best practices, and concrete opportunities to support high-impact, data-informed outreach efforts during the upcoming tax season.

Key Takeaways:  
  • What worked—and what didn’t—in the federal CTC and Direct File outreach efforts 
  • How philanthropic investments can scale and sustain outreach campaigns 
  • Strategies to support equitable access to tax credits through layering strategies, trusted messengers, and digital tools 
Featured Speakers
  • Adam Ruben, Economic Security Project
  • Evan Kost, WorkMoney 
  • Robyn McKinney, Maryland CASH Campaign 
Watch the Recording
Meeting Materials
  1. Speaker Bios
  2. Meeting Deck
  3. HandoutDirect File Lessons Learned (from our grantee reports)
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