2026 Ideas Showcase Call for Innovations
Reimagining Revenue Systems & Public Benefits Access
Economic Opportunity Funders and the Tax Equity Funders Network launched an open call for proactive, future-focused program and policy innovations to feature in an Ideas Showcase at the 2026 Budget and Tax Briefing on March 26, 2026.
We sought submissions on two topics: Reimagining Public Benefits Access and Reimagining Revenue Systems.
Reimagining Public Benefits Access
Public benefits help millions of families and households afford daily life—covering food, child care, rent, and healthcare. Yet each year, an estimated $140 billion in public benefits go unclaimed. Fragmented and complex systems, daunting paperwork, outdated technology, and other burdensome administrative requirements like restrictive eligibility rules and disincentives for recipients to increase their earnings make it harder for eligible people to access and maintain critical benefits and challenge the government’s ability to deliver these benefits efficiently and effectively. Solving access and delivery problems in the public benefits system is one of the most direct, immediate routes to reduce poverty in the United States and support economic security.
What would it take to create a more equitable and efficient system of public benefits that streamlined and expanded equitable access and uptake of public benefits, reduced administrative burdens, targeted resources to those most in need, and supported a smoother transition to economic security?
To explore these questions, we launched a Call for Innovations inviting solutions from across the field. We received 23 submissions and six were selected to partiicpate in the Ideas Showcase. The selected innovations reflect a diverse range of perspectives, including federal and state initiatives, near- and longer-term efforts, and varied programmatic and policy approaches. Inclusion in the Showcase does not constitute endorsement; rather, these examples are intended to spark dialogue and support funder learning.
Ideas Showcase Innovations:
- Center for Taxpayer Rights: Exploring automatic enrollment for tax and other public benefits.
- Digital Public Works: DiCIT: Software that increases access to benefits by minimizing applicant burden.
- Mirza: The Common App for public benefits: Transforming how families access safety net benefits.
- MyFriendBen: Unlocking the Next Generation of Benefits Access for Long-Term Care Support Services
- Public Policy Lab: GovPay: A unified, privacy-first benefits payment platform.
- Rx Kids: A prescription for health, hope, and opportunity.
Learn more below.
- Call for Innovations Summary
A synthesis of all submissions received through the open call, outlining the core problem framing, scope of innovation approaches, and implications for funders. Full applications for all submissions are available upon request to EOF and Tax Equity Funders Network members. - Ideas Showcase Innovations Overview
A summary of the innovations selected for the Ideas Showcase, highlighting the range of approaches featured and the diversity of strategies represented. - Ideas Showcase Session Recap
A recap of the Ideas Showcase session, capturing key highlights from presentations and related resources.
Reimagining Revenue Systems
The tax code touches nearly every aspect of American life and impacts the well-being of our families, communities, and our democracy. Tax policy, if designed well, can be a critical lever to create a more inclusive economy in which all people can achieve economic security, mobility, and well-being. Our present tax system disproportionately benefits a powerful and wealthy minority, which exacerbates racial inequalities and deprives the public of essential resources for our common good.
What would a robust and equitable revenue system look like, where everyone pays their fair share, no one pays more than they can afford, and the government raises enough money to fund public goods that benefit us all, like childcare, education, housing, transportation, and health care?
To explore these questions, we launched a Call for Innovations inviting solutions from across the field. We received 22 submissions and six were selected to partiicpate in the Ideas Showcase. The selected innovations reflect a diverse range of perspectives, including federal and state initiatives, near- and longer-term efforts, and varied programmatic and policy approaches. Inclusion in the Showcase does not constitute endorsement; rather, these examples are intended to spark dialogue and support funder learning.
Ideas Showcase Innovations:
- FACT Coalition: Using transparency to deter multinational corporate tax evasion and avoidance.
- Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy: Enacting state wealth proceeds taxes.
- Niskanen Center: Reviving America’s contributory tradition by expanding payroll taxes as a foundation for public benefits.
- New Practice Lab at New America: Automatically returning money owed to families missing out on tax credits.
- The Tax Law Center at NYU Law: Remaking federal tax administration.
- Washington Center for Equitable Growth: Reclassifying large passthrough businesses to strengthen equitable revenue
systems.
Learn more below.
- Call for Innovations Summary
A synthesis of all submissions received through the open call, outlining the core problem framing, scope of innovation approaches, and implications for funders. Full applications for all submissions are available upon request to EOF and Tax Equity Funders Network members. - Ideas Showcase Innovations Overview
A summary of the innovations selected for the Ideas Showcase, highlighting the range of approaches featured and the diversity of strategies represented. - Ideas Showcase Session Recap
A recap of the Ideas Showcase session, capturing key highlights from presentations and related resources.