Layla’s Got You Assists in EITC Education

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit geared towards middle, and low-income adults, oftentimes with children. However, many individuals who are eligible to file inevitably don’t, as they assume they do not qualify. Layla’s Got You partnered with the Community Foundation to inform and assist filers by spearheading a comprehensive social media campaign.

Tax season is dreaded by many. Oftentimes, people find that it’s overly complex and tedious to get finances organized to complete the near never-ending forms. But for some, there is the opportunity to collect needed funds by properly completing the process.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit geared towards middle, and low-income adults, oftentimes with children. However, many individuals who are eligible to file inevitably don’t, as they assume they do not qualify. This results in unused credit that could have improved the lives of thousands of families.

Layla’s Got You, an organization dedicated to using social media to connect Syracuse residents with women’s health information, partnered with the Community Foundation to inform and assist filers by spearheading a comprehensive social media campaign. Using the talents of its young ambassadors, the organization has been able to provide accessible information about the EITC and potential tax refunds to individuals that may qualify.

Qiana Williams, a program officer at the Community Foundation, emphasized the importance of young voices.

“It was very exciting to be a part of this collaboration to utilize young, trusted ambassadors to carry a message forward to the community,” she said. “When the opportunity to partner with Layla’s Got You arose, we felt it would be an effective way to identify young people who could help efficiently get out information about the EITC.”

Jayah Pierce, a 19 year old who has been an ambassador for Layla’s Got You since she was 14, emphasized the impact that finances and other factors play into the organization’s primary mission. “Financials really do impact the way you live, what you can do and where you’re limited,” she said. “So we really thought, you know, that young people could benefit from having that money back and by getting their taxes in on time and not having to go through owing.”

The cornerstone of the social media campaign was the ambassadors who created the EITC content itself. They used commonly under-utilized social media platforms such as TikTok to spread awareness via messaging that catered to a young audience. Instead of using complex financial language, they opted for simple explanations and comprehensive resource sharing. By hearing from likeminded peers, EITC became a tangible reality for many, rather than an unknown program.

Hearing information from ambassadors that could connect to their fellow neighbors reduced the likelihood that filers would scroll past information, and instead ask questions.

“We explained to social media users that you might get money back, like we’re young. So if you can get up to $1,500 back, get your bag, like go get your money,” said Pierce. “We’re the same age, [and] it really works out because, you know, if you see something that looks like a scam, you scroll, but if you see your best friend saying it, you’re more likely to take it seriously and apply.”

The EITC program directly benefitted several individuals and families across the Central New York area, often with life-changing effects. For example, Layla’s Got You has worked with a young mother that received over $18,000 in tax refunds. She makes just over $25,000 per year at her job.

This year’s income tax is great,” she said. “I will be putting this tax refund toward a new home for me and my kids. So I’m very thankful and so excited that this year my hard work will benefit my family in such a big way.”

The Community Foundation is proud to have assisted Central New York Families this tax season, and is grateful to Layla’s Got You for its partnership and mission.

Related Stories

collage of pictures of young girls doing art
News Releases October 30, 2023

More than $235,000 in Grants Awarded to Black-Led Organizations

Seventeen Black Equity & Excellence Fun grants, totaling $238,200, distributed to Black-led organizations.

Man standing in front of library
Blogs October 17, 2023

Fostering Grassroots Change through The Leadership Classroom

Jacob Gedetsis, founder and director of Write Out and lecturer and coordinator of the Writing ...

News Releases October 13, 2023

CNYCF Grants Addressing Rising Local Tensions from Middle East Conflict

"By supporting these organizations that are living by our belief in the fundamental value and ...

Oswego photo
News Releases October 12, 2023

Oswego County Community Foundation Awards Nearly $34,000 to Local Nonprofits

$33,910 has been distributed to organizations in Oswego County!

News Releases September 14, 2023

CNY Community Foundation Receives $500,000 for Lead Poisoning Prevention Efforts

A grant from Onondaga County will help replace windows and doors in 40 affordable rental ...

Womens fund
News Releases August 23, 2023

Women's Fund Distributes $55,000 in Grant Funding to CNY Nonprofits

The grants will fund projects that support the advancement and full participation of women and ...

Woman sitting with girl holding books
Blogs August 21, 2023

Unlocking Potential through Reading as A Book Buddy Volunteer

Juliet Nabinger, employee benefits senior specialist at OneGroup and Book Buddies Volunteer, shares how her ...

Children looking through binoculars on Syracuse street
Publications August 1, 2023

Payment Pending: CNY Nonprofit Funding Delays From the State Level

Colby Cyrus, CAPM and Frank Ridzi, Ph.D. outline our analysis of how often New York ...

News Releases July 27, 2023

LeadSafeCNY: A Look at our Neighborhood Investments

A new heat map demonstrates the impact of our neighborhood investments so far through the ...

collage of pictures of young girls doing art
News Releases October 30, 2023

More than $235,000 in Grants Awarded to Black-Led Organizations

Seventeen Black Equity & Excellence Fun grants, totaling $238,200, distributed to Black-led organizations.

Man standing in front of library
Blogs October 17, 2023

Fostering Grassroots Change through The Leadership Classroom

Jacob Gedetsis, founder and director of Write Out and lecturer and coordinator of the Writing ...

News Releases October 13, 2023

CNYCF Grants Addressing Rising Local Tensions from Middle East Conflict

"By supporting these organizations that are living by our belief in the fundamental value and ...

Oswego photo
News Releases October 12, 2023

Oswego County Community Foundation Awards Nearly $34,000 to Local Nonprofits

$33,910 has been distributed to organizations in Oswego County!

News Releases September 14, 2023

CNY Community Foundation Receives $500,000 for Lead Poisoning Prevention Efforts

A grant from Onondaga County will help replace windows and doors in 40 affordable rental ...

Womens fund
News Releases August 23, 2023

Women's Fund Distributes $55,000 in Grant Funding to CNY Nonprofits

The grants will fund projects that support the advancement and full participation of women and ...

Woman sitting with girl holding books
Blogs August 21, 2023

Unlocking Potential through Reading as A Book Buddy Volunteer

Juliet Nabinger, employee benefits senior specialist at OneGroup and Book Buddies Volunteer, shares how her ...

Children looking through binoculars on Syracuse street
Publications August 1, 2023

Payment Pending: CNY Nonprofit Funding Delays From the State Level

Colby Cyrus, CAPM and Frank Ridzi, Ph.D. outline our analysis of how often New York ...

News Releases July 27, 2023

LeadSafeCNY: A Look at our Neighborhood Investments

A new heat map demonstrates the impact of our neighborhood investments so far through the ...

View More