Baseline Invests $75,000 in Grants for Bay Area Organizations Expanding Economic Opportunities for Low-Income Families

San Francisco, CA — Baseline, formerly known as Golden State Opportunity, announced that it has invested $75,000 in grants for partner organizations in the Bay Area for the 2027 tax season. This funding will help put money back in the pockets of low-income families through free tax preparation services. In the past two years, Baseline has committed a total of $170,000 to this region.

At the core of Baseline’s work is a network of community-based organizations that help low-income families access valuable tax credits and free tax preparation services. Baseline is committed to helping people access the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a critical tool for reducing poverty. Second only to Social Security in reducing poverty, the EITC lifts more children out of poverty than any other federal policy.

“Baseline is proud to make these targeted investments in communities where families need them the most,” said Amy Everitt, President of Baseline. “Many Californians live on the edge, one medical bill or job loss away from serious economic disaster. With these investments, our goal is to raise the economic baseline so that everyone can build opportunity, exercise agency, and shape their community's future.”

Working under the name Golden State Opportunity, Baseline spent the last 11 years helping millions of people with tax preparation, resulting in $1.4 billion in tax refunds per year. In 2026, the organization and its partners helped file 1,600 tax returns in the Bay Area, resulting in $1.3 million in total refunds.

“Baseline’s support and partnership helps us connect more working people with the tax credits and free tax preparation services they need to make ends meet,” said Mary E. Tressel, Director of Development, Monument Crisis Center. “We’re grateful for these resources that help more people access the money they’ve earned.” 

Golden State Opportunity recently changed its name to Baseline. Baseline seeks to address the stark reality Californians face today. Even though California is the fourth-largest economy in the world, 40% of Californians live in households that cannot consistently afford the basic cost of living. In addition, federal poverty levels depict a false floor where working people and families make below a living wage. We can make new policy choices that raise the baseline to ensure economic dignity for all. Learn more by visiting The Baseline.org. 

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ABOUT BASELINE

Baseline (formerly known as Golden State Opportunity) is a nonprofit focused on building financial security and opportunity for all Californians. For the past 11 years, the organization has worked with more than 100 community-based partners to help Californians access tax credits and free tax preparation, putting billions of dollars back into the pockets of working people. Learn more by visiting TheBaseline.org.