In the fall of 1994, Robert Burke, at the time a 22-year-old accountant, founded TAP. He set out with a unique vision to create a lasting financial impact on Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods. He recruited 90 knowledgeable coworkers and professional associates to donate their time and services on several Saturdays during the winter of 1995. By the end of the tax season, this energetic corps had completed 120 tax forms. Working poor families on Chicago’s West Side received $150,000 in tax credits and refunds.

Today, TAP operates 26 community sites with a small staff and a dedicated corps of more than 1,800 volunteers, who annually donate 74,000 hours of their time and services.