When funders and community groups put their expertise and resources together to support a common cause, the results can be phenomenal. That's what happened in 2001 when a group of foundations joined together with community-based organizations, government agencies, employers, workforce development agencies, and volunteers to jumpstart the Baltimore CASH Campaign.

For a working family struggling to make ends meet, an income boost of a couple thousand dollars can mean a lot. If that extra income opens up opportunities to repair bad credit, receive financial education, begin a savings program, learn about starting a small business or work toward buying a home, it can reshape the family's future for years to come. The Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CASH) campaign is doing just that for thousands of area residents. Together, the funders and partners have mounted a campaign that's promoted economic stability and empowerment for low-income households in the area by:

• Helping nearly 20,000 low-income taxpayers get free assistance in completing their income tax returns in order to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other tax credits for which they qualify.
• Bringing working poor families some $33 million in total federal tax refunds; more than $16.7 million in EITC refunds; and more than $9.2 million in Maryland state refunds.
• Saving residents nearly $4 million in tax preparation fees through free services at some 15 Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites in the city and county.
• Conducting marketing and publicity to help more people learn about the program; connecting clients to financial counseling and other opportunities to build assets and savings; and advocating for policies and programs to help working families.

Foundations like the Aaron Straus and Lillie Straus Foundation, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and Clayton Baker Trust have helped support and grow the Campaign, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation has been instrumental in mobilizing funders, local agencies, community groups, and the Internal Revenue Service to build momentum and collaboration.

"The coalition partners and funders realize collectively that they can leverage dollars so much further when they work in partnership," said Joanna Ramani, the director of the Baltimore CASH Campaign. "They come to our meetings and are active members, questioning, adding their input, and caring for the work. This isn't just a check that gets written every year."