WASHINGTON, D.C. – Prosperity Now, in collaboration with the Wells Fargo Foundation, today launched the 2026 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Support Fund Request for Proposals (RFP), inviting certified VITA programs and organizations that directly support VITA operations to apply for funding to strengthen no-cost basic tax return preparation services during the 2026 filing season.  

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Through this national funding opportunity, Prosperity Now will distribute $200,000, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 per grant.  Proposals are due January 27, 2026, and grant recipients will be announced on February 17, 2026.  

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The VITA program provides no-cost basic tax return preparation to individuals who generally make $64,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency who need assistance preparing their own tax returns.  

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Last year’s cohort of funded organizations prepared more than 20,000 tax returns and helped return an estimated $25 million in refunds and credits to households who earned them. These results reflect the role of community-based VITA programs in helping people file accurate returns and access tax benefits they qualify for.

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Beyond this funding opportunity, the broader VITA network services millions of taxpayers nationwide each year, providing trusted, no-cost assistance through IRS-certified community sites.  

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“Tax filing shouldn’t be a source of stress or confusion, but for many people it still is,” said Marisa Calderon, President & CEO of Prosperity Now. “VITA programs provide reliable tax return preparation in community settings where people can get their questions answered and file with confidence. This fund helps make sure those doors stay open when people need them most.”

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“At Wells Fargo, we're focused on expanding access to tools and supports that help people make more informed financial decisions,” said Bonnie Wallace, Head of Financial Opportunity Philanthropy at the Wells Fargo Foundation. “The VITA Support Fund builds on our ongoing commitment to community partnerships, helping trusted local programs assist more people with no-cost tax return preparation and connect them to resources that can support their financial well-being.”

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Wells Fargo’s continued support builds on its long-standing partnership with Prosperity Now, including investment in the Tax Opportunity Network, a national community of nearly 7,000 practitioners advancing strategies that make tax time a bridge to financial stability.

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