The volunteer income tax assistance (vita) grant was established as a matching grant program to provide funding for organizations who support community volunteer income tax assistance

The Internal Revenue Service awarded $150,000 to United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg on October 1, 2025, under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program (CFDA 21.009).

United Way of Greater Richmond delivers free tax return preparation and electronic filing services to low- to moderate-income and underserved populations in the Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia area. The organization serves taxpayers including persons with disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, Native Americans, rural residents, members of the Armed Forces and their families, and elderly taxpayers whose earned income does not exceed Earned Income Tax Credit thresholds. The award funds activities to extend services to hardest-to-reach populations, increase capacity for electronic filing, heighten quality control, enhance volunteer training, and improve return preparation accuracy.

The grant runs through September 30, 2026, with place of performance in Virginia. As a matching grant, United Way of Greater Richmond must provide non-federal matching funds equal to the federal award amount. Recipients must ensure that at least 90 percent of returns prepared serve eligible individuals, file all eligible returns electronically, and achieve return production goals. United Way of Greater Richmond must maintain comprehensive records for a minimum of three years following final report submission.

Activities

The vita grant program provides financial support to organizations who 1) extend services to underserved populations in hardest to reach areas both urban and non-urban; 2) increase the capacity to file returns electronically; 3) heighten quality control; 4) enhance training of volunteers; and 5) significantly improve the accuracy rate of returns prepared at vita sites. End goal/expected outcomes: vita grant recipients are expected to 1) follow existing guidance governing vita site operations; 2) ensure at least 90% of returns prepared are for individuals whose income is equal to or less than the maximum earned income tax credit (eitc) thresholds; 2) file all eligible returns electronically; 3) achieve 100% of their return production goals; 4) become more efficient with grant funds; and 5) show incremental increases in return preparation each year.

Intended beneficiaries

Taxpayers who are low to moderate income individuals, persons with disabilities, those for whom english is a second language, native americans, individuals living in rural areas, members of the armed forces and their families, and the elderly.

Subrecipient activities

Subrecipients may be utilized by grant recipients to help deliver key elements of the program and must adhere to grant program guidelines. Broadband: specific activities relating to broadband usage are not known at the time of award.