FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/23/2010

Contact: Sarah Kenney 302-573-3751 skenney@uwde.org

UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE LAUNCHES STATEWIDE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) COLLABORATIVE, PROJECTED TO RETURN $19 MILLION TO DELAWARE TAXPAYERS

WILMINGTON, Del. (February 23, 2010) – United Way of Delaware (UWD) today launched The Delaware Earned Income Tax Credit Collaborative, a statewide consortium of non-profit groups and government agencies, that will help more than 14,000 qualified Delawareans prepare and file their personal state and federal income tax returns at no charge. By ensuring that participants apply for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), UWD expects this effort will return more than $19 million in tax refunds to Delawareans, and save participants more than $2.8 million in tax preparation fees.

Many taxpayers who qualify for The Delaware EITC are not aware of their eligibility and are leaving those refunds unclaimed, according to data from the IRS. United Way of Delaware, through this collaborative, hopes to change that.

The collaborative is funded by UWD, Bank of America, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and the Walmart Foundation. The United Way of Delaware EITC Collaborative incorporates tax-filing programs operated by:

• Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation
• Delaware Alliance for Community Advancement
• First State Community Action Agency
• State of Delaware, State Service Centers

“By connecting these programs in The Delaware EITC Collaborative, we hope to help more Delawareans than ever before receive the earned income tax credit they deserve,” says Michelle A. Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Delaware. “This cash will help participants work toward long-term financial security while strengthening the financial health of the community.”

Participants can receive additional financial services, including an explanation of their credit score and financial counseling. The collaborative supports United Way of Delaware’s Financial Stability focus area, which aims to improve the financial well being of low-income individuals and families by providing tools to increase income, build savings and develop and maintain assets.

To be eligible for free tax preparation, residents cannot earn more than $50,000 per year with dependents or more than $25,000 without dependents. For a list of tax-filing locations and hours of operation, visit United Way of Delaware’s website at www.uwde.org or call 2-1-1, the new toll free number to call for health or human service referrals in Delaware.

About United Way of Delaware
United Way of Delaware’s mission is to maximize the community’s resources to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans. United Way of Delaware (UWD) works to advance the common good by focusing on the three building blocks to a good life: education, income and health. UWD is engaged in a long-term strategy to eliminate the root causes of Delaware’s most pressing social problems in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. UWD works collectively with business, government, social service agencies, academic groups, community organizations, and concerned citizens to effect positive, long-lasting solutions for today and into the future. For more information, to make a contribution, or to volunteer to work with UWD, please visit www.uwde.org or call (302) 573-3700.

About Bank of America Philanthropy
Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, last year Bank of America embarked on a ten-year goal to donate to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Bank of America approaches giving through a national strategy called "neighborhood excellence" under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities.

About Jessie Ball DuPont Fund
The Jessie Ball duPont Fund invests in organizations and communities that were important to Jessie Ball duPont. An organization is eligible if it received a gift from Mrs. duPont between January 1, 1960 and December 31, 1964. Today, there are more than 300 eligible organizations. The Fund organizes its resources around five focus areas, including “building assets of people, families, and communities.”

About Walmart Foundation
The Walmart Foundation is proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness.