Miami-Dade Prosperity Campaign

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Background:  The Prosperity Campaign connects low-wage workers to existing economic benefits programs available to them such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Childcare Tax Credit.  EITC, for example, provides up to $4,300 per year per family, lifting millions of children and their parents beyond the federal poverty level. The program was first launched in 2002.

Prosperity Centers: HSC works with seven nonprofits in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to promote the Prosperity Campaign, offering free tax preparation services, economic benefit screenings and other services. Learn more about these nonprofits.

Other Tax Preparation Sites: Miami Dade County, IRS and the AARP all offer free tax preparation.  Find out where in the county they have offices. 

Impact:  In the first year, EITC revenues increased by 13 percent in Miami-Dade County, through the combined efforts of the City of Miami, county government, IRS, Federal Reserve Bank, United Way of Miami-Dade and five Miami-Dade nonprofits located in low-income neighborhoods with low EITC utilization.  

EITC is Florida’s largest source of federal revenue after Medicaid.  Funds are spent in the local economy, generating jobs and increasing spending with an estimated multiplier of approximately four times. The EITC program was a “win-win-win” for employers, employees and the local economy, gaining the support of the business community.

Next steps:  Low-wage workers are finding it increasingly difficult to meet basic family support needs from their salaries alone.  Economic benefits beyond EITC can make the difference as to whether a family can provide decent housing, nutritious meals, quality childcare and more.  HSC is continually expanding the resource information provided to low-wage workers through the Campaign, and working with businesses to share the news through the workplace.  

The Benefit Bank: The Benefit Bank is a web-based tool that screens people for the economic benefits they are eligible to receive. HSC began using this tool at its prosperity centers in January just in time for the new tax season.

Funders: The Human Services Coalition (HSC) launched the Prosperity Campaign in 2002 with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Children's Trust,  the Alliance for Human Services, Washington Mutual, North Dade Medical Foundation and Bank of America.

The Greater Miami Prosperity Campaign is a project of the Human Services Coalition of Miami-Dade County, funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.