2026 RAISE Texas VITA Conference

Austin, Texas | September 22-23, 2026

The 2026 RAISE Texas VITA Conference will bring together VITA leaders, staff, volunteers, and partners from across Texas and the country for two days of learning and idea sharing. The agenda was shaped by feedback from VITA programs and focuses on practical strategies, useful resources, and conversations with peers about what’s working, what’s challenging, and what participants can take home to strengthen their own programs.
 
A highlight of this year’s conference is spending the second day at Foundation Communities’ Prosper Tax Center. Rather than just hearing presentations about how another VITA program operates, attendees will spend the day in the tax center seeing firsthand how it operates and using that as a starting point for conversations with peers about different approaches and practical ideas they can adapt for their own programs.
 
For context, last tax season Foundation Communities prepared 15,650 tax returns with 474 IRS-certified volunteers who contributed 22,090 hours of service. Through Prosper Financial Wellness, 1,800 clients also directed a portion of their tax refunds into savings, building more than $17 million in savings.
 
To encourage meaningful connection and peer learning, attendance will be limited to about 150 participants, with priority given to Texas VITA programs. If you’re interested in attending, we encourage you to register soon. We currently have space available for VITA colleagues from Texas and across the country. 
 
Register HERE.
 
Explore session topics: Conference Program
 

Find discounted room blocks at three Austin hotels here: 2026 VITA Conference Hotel Options. 

We’ll continue to update this page as conference plans are finalized.
Check back for agenda updates and other important conference details.


Thank You to Our Supporters

2026 VITA Conference Sponsor   

                      

 

 

VITA Practitioner Resources 

 

 

 

Highlights from the 2024 RAISE Texas VITA Conference

In 2024, RAISE Texas brought together 87 staff and volunteers from 46 Texas VITA programs for a collaborative conference focused on sharing best practices, addressing challenges, and exchanging innovative ideas. The convening featured a tour of the BakerRipley Tax Center, the country’s largest VITA program, which completes over 36,000 tax returns each tax season.

2024 VITA Presentations (* = slides)
Building a Stronger Financial Future: How IRS Direct File and the Inflation Reduction Act Benefit Texans
Rebecca Thompson, Senior Advisor, IRA Program Office, U.S. Dept. of Treasury
Ronald Newman, Senior Advisor, IRA Program Office, U.S. Dept. of Treasury

Emerging Issues in Low Income Taxpayer Clinics*
Mandi Matlock, JD, Staff Attorney, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

How Harris County Supports and Benefits from VITA
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia

Skill-Building Sessions
Tax Credit Messaging: Pitching Strategies for Local VITA Funding and Peer Feedback*
Jenna Severson, Senior Communications Strategist, Economic Security Project

Mastering ITIN Applications: Everything You Need to Know* 
Janet Herrgesell, Certifying Acceptance Agent and Senior Tax Program Manager, Foundation Communities 

Wellness in the Trenches: Self-Care Strategies During Tax Season 
Nicole Milton, Training Manager, Mental Health America of Greater Houston 

Mastering Seasonal Staffing: Hiring & Internship Strategies* 
Ariel Carballo Jones, and Markitha Labbe, Talent Management, BakerRipley Raymond Nguyen, Director, BakerRipley Neighborhood Tax Centers

National Partner Forums
TaxSlayer Q&A 
Kim Manuel, TaxSlayer

Code for America Research and Q&A (Get Your Refund)*
Rae Pilarski, Associate Program Director
Jazmin Estrada, Partner Support Specialist

VITA Program Highlights
Del Mar College VITA Program* 
Adria Palacios Vasquez, CPA, Assistant Professor of Accounting

Dallas Community Tax Centers* 
Sofia Sanchez-Morales, Senior Program Manager, Foundation Communities

BakerRipley Neighborhood Tax Center Tour & Documents
About BakerRipley*
Volunteer Program*
Volunteer Handbook*
Client Intake Survey*
Client Intake Form*
Red Tracking Sheet*
Paper and In-Progress Blue Tracking Sheet*

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PO Box 303111, Austin, TX 78703
info@raisetexas.org

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