Golden State Opportunity has officially awarded over 30 grants to community-based organizations as part of the 2024-2025 Community Connect Program. These partner organizations are located throughout the state and will receive grants ranging from $15,000 to $65,000 to connect low-income workers and families with the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), Young Child Tax Credit, federal tax credits, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) applications and renewal, and Free Tax Preparation Assistance (FTPA).

We are excited to start the tax season with an amazing group of partners dedicated to lifting individuals and families out of poverty. We’re looking forward to working closely with our Community Connect grantees to build a strong core of VITA-certified volunteers, to reach more Californians, and to help more and more families claim their tax credits and file their taxes for free.

“I live in Riverside and visit our partners throughout the Inland Empire, and I hear the same thing: People are missing out on claiming money that’s theirs to begin with,” said Aram Ayra, Golden State Opportunity Senior Organizer for Southern California. “I am thrilled to know we are supporting organizations that are committed to growing their team of VITA volunteers. Supporting the work taking place on the ground by our grantees is a smart strategy, and I am excited to see it play out next year.”

Many Community Connect partners in 2025 are continuing partners from past years and have been working to expand their services. For example, Sigma Beta Xi, a Moreno Valley organization dedicated to serving the Inland Empire, has worked closely with the IRS and a team of dedicated volunteers to become a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. This means that in 2025, they will offer in-house free tax preparation services to their community, many of whom had previously had to drive up to 30 minutes to the nearest VITA site in Perris.

“Having access to free tax prep and claiming tax credits can impact a family forever,” Berenice Zuniga, current Co-CEO of SBX. “This partnership with GSO has helped us bring so much to Moreno Valley. Many in our community are underserved and feel marginalized. Our partnership with GSO has provided some great tools to help us better serve our neighbors. It’s always our intention to find out where the gaps are in resources and seek out opportunities to fill those.”

This year, Golden State Opportunity and our Community Connect partners face a great challenge: reduced funding and over 7 million Californians living in poverty, according to the California Budget and Policy Center, 12% of which are children. Through the extensive network formed by the Community Connect program, GSO is prepared to face this challenge and help connect working Californians with resources to claim their tax credits and benefit from free tax preparation.

2025 Community Connect Partners

Advisers Give Back
Antelope Valley Partners for Health
Assist Hub
Barrio Action Youth & Family Center
Bill Wilson Center (BWC)
Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP)
Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD)
Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County
Community Partnership for Families (CPF)
Dreams For Change
Eastmont Community Center
El Centro de Ayuda
Haven Neighborhood Services
Iglesia Nueva Vida Discipulos de Cristo
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Jakara Movement
Jefferson Economic Development Institute (JEDI)
LAVITA Community Financial Organization
Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP)
Monument Crisis Center
NEW Economics For Women
Project SCOUT
San Francisco CASA
SBX Youth and Family Services
Tax-Aid
The Community College Foundation
Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC)