CEDAM’s Economic Initiatives Department advances financial inclusion and economic opportunity by supporting community-based programs across Michigan. We provide funding, training, technical assistance, and peer-learning opportunities that strengthen local organizations and empower Michigan families.
Our work currently focuses on two flagship areas: free tax preparation services and children’s savings account programs.
free tax preparation services
CEDAM strengthens Michigan’s network of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), and Tax-Aide programs, which provide no-cost, high-quality tax filing services to low- and moderate-income households.
What We Do
- Provide technical assistance and funding to programs statewide
- Develop resources and host trainings to build field capacity
- Manage MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org, the state’s central resource for free tax prep
- Support local programs with coordinated statewide marketing campaigns
- Lead the Michigan Economic Impact Coalition (MEIC)—the state’s free tax prep practitioner network—for more than a decade
- Publish First Friday, a monthly newsletter featuring news, opportunities, reminders, and tools for providers
children’s savings account (csa) programs
Since 2017, CEDAM has led the Michigan CSA Network, building the infrastructure that helps CSA programs across the state serve their communities more efficiently and equitably. Together, we’re making postsecondary education and career training more attainable by encouraging every child to believe in—and plan for—their future.
What We Do
- Provide technical assistance and funding to CSA programs statewide
- Develop resources such as the Michigan CSA Starter Kit and Local Program Communications Toolkit to support program design and outreach
- Convene the Michigan CSA Network, the state’s hub for program leads to connect, collaborate, and share best practices
POINT OF CONTACT
Madeleine March-Meenagh
Director of Economic Initiatives
madeleine@cedamichigan.org