Oregon Credit Unions Propel Over $448,000 in Economic Impact, Championing Financial Prosperity at Tax Time

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on July 2, 2025

We’ve all felt that tax-time pressure. But since 2023, a collaboration led by Unitus Community Credit Union and Trailhead Credit Union, in partnership with MFS CASH Oregon (a program of Metropolitan Family Service), has brought profound financial relief and empowerment to Oregonians. The credit unions’ participation in the “Financial Prosperity at Tax Time” movement has generated a remarkable $448,678.90 in combined economic impact over just three years, directly contributing to the vitality of our local economies.

“Seeing the tangible relief and renewed hope on people’s faces is what truly drives us,” said Lori Williams and Berenice Garcia Hernandez of Unitus Community Credit Union. “Working alongside MFS CASH Oregon, we’ve helped make tax season a time of opportunity, not anxiety. We are inspired by the combined economic impact of credit union partners: a staggering $448,678.90 generated in just three short years through these dedicated sites. This is not merely money; it represents renewed opportunities and stability for Oregon families, directly fueling local economies.”

This vital partnership provided accessible, free tax preparation services for those earning under $67,000 annually by IRS-Certified volunteers. MFS CASH Oregon extends further scope by providing support for ITIN applications and offering services in over 20 different languages. To date for the current tax season filing, MFS CASH Oregon has prepared over 8,700 tax returns, helping filers get back $13.7 million in federal and state tax refunds. Combined with the estimated $2.5 million saved in tax preparation fees, the total economic impact of the program has been $16.2 million this year and growing. MFS CASH Oregon also completed 170 ITIN applications and renewals.

“Taxes are stressful, for everyone. As a board member at Trailhead Credit Union, I wanted to support Trailhead’s involvement with the VITA/TCE program that provides free tax filing services to working families and retirees,” said Toril Milbrath of Trailhead Credit Union. “It was rewarding to participate with a dedicated team of volunteers who were able to deliver thousands of dollars returned through refunds to our community, directly aligning with Trailhead’s mission to empower every individual’s financial journey. Through this program, I assisted teachers, entrepreneurs, long-haul truckers, and retired federal workers with tax filings. This is our credit union’s focus on building connections on an individual level in action.”

Unitus Credit Union and Trailhead Credit Union invite other credit unions to join this impactful movement. “By sharing insights and amplifying our collective power, we can ensure every Oregonian has the opportunity to achieve lasting financial prosperity. Our shared objective is to extend beyond basic tax filing, offering personalized guidance, fostering financial confidence, and creating a path to greater financial stability through the invaluable support of credit union-certified financial counselors,” explained Prashanth Arulsakaran of Trailhead Credit Union. “This is an unparalleled opportunity to magnify the ripple effect of people-first solutions, unlock even greater potential for our members, and collectively strengthen Oregon’s local economies for generations to come.”

To learn more about how your credit union can partner or host a tax site, contact Riley Eldredge, Executive Director at MFS CASH Oregon, at [email protected].

Posted in Community Impact, Oregon, Regional Member News, Top Headlines.