The
Central Kentucky Economic Empower Project ("CKEEP") is a coalition
that partners with the IRS to provide free tax preparation to low-income
families, raise awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit, and help families
build assets. The project was created during the 2003 tax season by LexLinc, a partnership among local citizens. While LexLinc promoted several of the
existing, unconnected free tax preparation sites in Lexington, it recognized
the need for a community-based partnership that is committed to enhancing local
use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and protective services for low
income taxpayers.
Each year, millions of
dollars are lost by hard-working families in the Lexington area who do not
claim the EITC. That money is lost to them and to the local economy.
Additionally, millions of dollars are lost when area households pay high fees
to tax preparation firms that charge for Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) or
rapid refunds. As a result of LexLinc’s pledge
to meet community needs through innovation and organization relationships,
CKEEP was created and its formal partnership began in April 2003.
Together
with the IRS, CKEEP’s goals are to increase the number of free tax sites in
Lexington, increase the awareness and use of the EITC in Lexington and to
develop family asset building plans. LexLinc served as CKEEP's
incubator and the project lead during the initiative's first six years. However, due to its exponential growth,
LexLinc transitioned CKEEP to the Kentucky Poverty Law Center in the fall of
2009. This move has provided CKEEP with
the support needed to grow regionally and provide its clients with more
services. Now, CKEEP is an official
KYPLC program and is housed in KYPLC's Community Education Department.
