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<>CHICAGO-BASED NONPROFIT TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STRIVES TO RETURN $300 MILLION TO THE CITY’S WORKING POOR BY 2014

Celebratory Leaders Breakfast with Alderman Ed Burke, Deb DeHaas, Arne Duncan and Jim Ryan will announce the organization’s six-year goal and unveil its new brand

CHICAGO (November 12, 2008) —The Tax Assistance Program (TAP), a Chicago-based, entrepreneurial non-profit organization dedicated to providing free financial services to low-income families, announced today its six-year goal to return more than
$150 million to the Chicago area’s working poor. Since TAP’s inception in 1994, it has returned more than $147 million to the area’s low-income families. The organization’s overall goal is to accelerate its services over the next six years to reach a total economic impact of $300 million to the working poor by 2014.

TAP has had a significant impact on Chicago’s economy by putting millions of dollars back into the local neighborhoods. As part of the initiative to return more than $150 million within the next six years, TAP will also be operating under a new name, Ladder Up, for its growing organization. The organization’s name change coincides with the launch of its new Web site, www.goladderup.org.

“It is especially important in today’s weak economy to help the area’s working poor move up the economic ladder,” said Robert Burke, founder and chairman of Ladder Up. “We are committed to our goal of returning a total of $300 million to those in need by
2014. Our rebranding effort will give Ladder Up the momentum to expand its reach to even more low-income families by engaging
new volunteers and donors.”

Ladder Up will officially announce its long-term goals and new
brand positioning during a Leaders Breakfast on Nov. 20.
Keynote speakers Ed Burke, alderman of the 14th Ward, Deb DeHaas, vice chairperson and Midwest regional managing partner
at Deloitte LLP, Arne Duncan, Chicago Public School CEO, and
Jim Ryan, CEO and president of W.W. Grainger, Inc., will discuss
the importance of acquiring support from the corporate and non-profit community to promote economic empowerment amongst low-income families.

“For every $1 donated to Ladder Up, $29 is refunded to the community,” said DeHaas. “That’s a 2,900% return on your investment.” Community, corporate and government leaders, entrepreneurs and everyone in between are strongly encouraged
to show their support for Ladder Up by logging onto www.goladderup.org and making a charitable contribution.

Through the combined efforts of hundreds of volunteers from Chicago’s top accounting, law and consulting firms, banks, Fortune 500 companies and universities, along with generous contributions from local government agencies, corporations, foundations and individuals, Ladder Up has been successful in providing free financial services to thousands of hardworking families each year. Within the past 14 years, Ladder Up has recruited more than 16,000 volunteers and returned more than $147 million in tax refunds
and financial benefits to 84,000 low-income residents of the
Chicago area.

On Saturdays and various weeknights during the tax season,
Ladder Up volunteers travel to low-income communities
throughout Chicago and its surrounding suburbs to help families make the most of their wages. Each volunteer can help five or
more families file their tax returns to claim valuable credits and maximize their refunds. These services are completely free to the client and save them an average of $150 in fees charged by commercial tax services.

Beyond filing clients’ tax returns, Ladder Up connects clients with traditional banks in their community so they can save on the costly fees charged by currency exchanges, payday lenders and other bank alternatives. Ladder Up also helps students secure financial aid for higher education by providing help in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Ladder Up offers free FAFSA assistance at its community tax sites and at high schools
and community organizations across the area.

About Ladder Up:

Ladder Up strengthens communities by creating and growing individual and family assets through innovative financial services provided directly to the economically disadvantaged. Ladder Up’s programs, TAP (Tax Assistance Program) and LIFT (Life-Improving Financial Tools), offer free financial solutions to keep hard-earned money in the hands of those who need it most – the working poor. By acting as a bridge between financial opportunities and the working poor, Ladder Up empowers families and enriches communities with its real-world financial solutions. For more information visit www.goladderup.org.