Wells Fargo Bank's Leadership Team and the
CSUN VITA team at the Check Cutting Ceremony
Now in the second year of a two-year. $200,000 grant from Wells Fargo Bank, the CSUN Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinic and the CSU5+ VITA Initiative have expanded to impact to a greater number of taxpayers throughout Los Angeles County.
The investment from Wells Fargo Bank enabled CSUN’s VITA Clinic to operate year-round and also help the CSU5+ Initiative – comprised of other CSUs and community colleges – develop and grow VITA operations. The grant also supported growth of the CSUN VITA Clinic’s financial coaching services in the community.
“Well Fargo Bank’s continued support of the CSUN VITA Clinic has been immensely critical for the clinic’s growth for the past five years,” said accounting professor Rafi Efrat, director of the CSUN VITA Clinic and Bookstein Institute for Higher Education in Taxation. "With Wells Fargo's steadfast generosity, we expanded our free tax preparation services and financial coaching offered to low-income taxpayers."
“Wells Fargo is proud to support CSUN’s VITA Clinic,” said Jack Olree, vice president for community giving and philanthropy at Wells Fargo. "We are pleased that through our donation, we will be able to provide assistance to local residents with no-cost tax services and financial advice."
“The CSUN VITA Clinic and the CSU5+ VITA Initiative offer students a unique and invaluable opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in their field of study,” said Colin Rappel, a graduating senior in the accounting program who has served as the CSU5+ VITA coordinator this past tax season. Rappel and his team supported the various CSU5+ partnering campuses with any help they needed, including recruiting volunteers, marketing training, supplies and logistics.
“The CSU5+ VITA Initiative was powered this past tax season at five CSU campuses and four community colleges in Los Angeles County, operating six days per week with the help of hundreds of student volunteers, and serving well over 12,000 taxpayers throughout Los Angeles County,” said Efrat. “Wells Fargo Bank's investment in this program of experiential learning and community service powered our operation and expansion.”