What do taxes have to do with children’s health? More than you might expect.
United Way of Greater Cincinnati recognizes that financial well-being and physical health are closely connected. That’s why we work with community partners to make practical resources more accessible to families, including bringing Free Tax Prep services directly to Cincinnati Children’s.
The program helps eligible households save on tax preparation fees and access refunds that can significantly improve their financial stability.
“It gives us an opportunity to engage with families and learn more about what’s happening in their lives,” said Moira Weir, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati. “It’s one of the only programs that we know of that can actually change somebody’s economic mobility in that moment.”
Connecting health care and financial support
Dr. John Feister, a neonatologist at Cincinnati Children’s, proposed the collaboration after his research and firsthand experience showed how economic hardship can affect families’ health.
“Financial health is physical health,” Dr. Feister said.
Interested in how refundable tax credits could help families experiencing financial hardship, he studied similar efforts in other pediatric health care settings and began looking for a local partner.
United Way stood out for its expertise, volunteer training and infrastructure to help turn his idea into an accessible service.
“The fact that we could go to a community partner that has years of experience hosting tax preparation services across the community was key to making this work,” Dr. Feister said.
United Way supplied training, materials and program coordination, while Cincinnati Children’s provided space and recruited volunteers. Together, they created a convenient way for patients’ families and eligible hospital employees to access free tax preparation.
The number of returns volunteers completed almost tripled from the program’s first year to its second. In 2026, refunds at Cincinnati Children’s totaled almost $108,000 – an average of nearly $2,500 per taxpayer.
Bringing help where it’s needed
The joint effort immediately helped one mother.
Her infant had been transferred to Cincinnati Children’s for specialized care. She had been away from home for four months without a car, making it difficult to file her taxes.
She was able to claim a refund because United Way volunteers completed her tax return without her having to leave the hospital.
The site extends that same convenience to employees who meet the income eligibility requirements.
“For employers, providing tax preparation services is a concrete way to support your employees and their families, and show your care for them,” Dr. Feister said.
The power of working together
For families managing housing, groceries, transportation and other expenses, securing tax refunds and credits can provide meaningful relief – and financial stability can support better health.
By bringing Free Tax Prep into Cincinnati Children’s, United Way and its partners are making it easier for families to claim money they’ve earned, at a time and place where that support can make an immediate difference.
