Public budgets and the revenue systems that support them are some of the most important policy instruments of our government. They reflect our values and priorities through decisions on how to tax residents and businesses and spend these collective resources. These decisions impact what families have to spend on basic needs and invest in their future, define the size of the government and its role in the national economy, and affect the lives of all Americans.

A solid understanding of budget and tax policy within our political and economic climate is crucial for anyone working in philanthropy.

Since 2004, EOF has hosted an Annual Budget and Tax Briefing to provide funders the opportunity to network colleagues and learn about and discuss pressing political developments, federal and state budget and tax battles and opportunities, and how the current landscape impacts families, workers, and communities. It is the only event of its kind focused on philanthropy and budget and tax policy.

2026 Budget and Tax Briefing

2026 Budget and Tax Briefing Photo Recap

Agenda

Event Page

Reimagining Public Benefits Access Ideas Showcase: RECAP + Resources

What would it take to build a truly equitable and efficient public benefits system? One that streamlines access, reduces administrative burdens, and smoothly transitions individuals toward economic security. This session showcased six future-focused program and policy innovations on reimagining public benefits access.

Reimagining Revenue Systems Ideas Showcase: RECAP + Resources

What would it take to build a truly robust and equitable revenue system? One where everyone pays their fair share, no one pays more than they can afford, and enough revenue is raised to fund public goods that benefit us all, like childcare, education, housing, transportation, and health care? This session showcased six future-focused program and policy innovations for reimagining revenue systems.

Safeguarding Medicaid and SNAP: RECAP + Resources

H.R.1 delivers sweeping tax cuts to corporations and high-income earners—while dramatically reducing funding for essential programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts threaten the well-being of millions of families, children, and seniors, and shift the financial burden to already overstretched state and local governments. This session provided an update on developments in states and potential short- and long-term interventions needed to safeguard these important programs.

Federal Budget and Tax Outlook: RECAP + Resources

In this session, noted tax and budget policy expert Sharon Parrott provided an overview of the federal landscape, current and upcoming budget and tax debates, and insights on the potential impact on families, workers, and communities.

State Budget and Tax Outlook: RECAP + Resources

States are facing some of the most challenging fiscal conditions in recent memory. The combined impact of HR1 and declining revenue bases is setting the stage for intense budget debates that will significantly affect the capacity to fund programs serving children, families, and communities. During this session, experts shared key fiscal trends, battles, and opportunities shaping these debates, and what’s at stake across the country.

Celebrating the Workers Defense Project—2026 Law & Social Policy Legacy Award Winner: RECAP + Video

The Law & Social Policy Legacy Award was established in 2020 to recognize organizations defending and advocating for low-wage workers’ rights and to increase knowledge of this work in the philanthropic community. A $10,000 award will be given by EOF with support from the Public Welfare Foundation annually until 2030 as a part of their legacy investment into the Workers’ Rights field. We recognized and celebrated our 2026 award winner, Workers Defense Project, as part of this briefing.

MANY THANKS TO OUR MEETING PLANNING COMMITTEE!

Marcia Egbert, The George Gund Foundation
Kit Judge, The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Kathy Stohr, Pritzker Children’s Initiative
Melanie Styles, The Abell Foundation

MANY THANKS TO OUR SHOWCASE ADVISORY COMMITTEES!

Public Benefits Access Showcase

Erin Currier, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Yuri Kim, NextLadder Ventures
Aimee Ramirez, Chicago Community Trust
Tyonka Perkins Rimawi, The Families and Workers Fund

Revene Systems Showcase

Michael Cassidy, The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Cuong Hoang, Mott Philanthropic
Parita Patel, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

MANY THANKS TO OUR WATCH PARTY HOSTS!

Since 2014, local watch parties have been organized to expand our reach by live streaming our federal and state budget and tax outlook sessions. We were thrilled to expand the reach of our 2026 program through 11 virtual watch parties. Thank you to our Watch Party Hosts who made this possible!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

We are deeply grateful for the generous support of our 2026 Budget and Tax Briefing sponsors.

EOF programming is also made possible through the generosity of our Supporting Members.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Blue Shield of California Foundation

Ford Foundation

The George Gund Foundation

The Kresge Foundation

McKnight Foundation

New Economy Initiative

Pritzker Children’s Initiative

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Stoneman Family Foundations

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Budget and Tax Briefing Archive

Access an archive of select Budget and Tax Briefings here.