At UW-Green Bay, philanthropy often does double duty. It strengthens student learning while delivering real benefits to the community. That’s the story behind Wipfli’s recent support for the University’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. A national advisory and accounting firm ranked among the country’s top 20, Wipfli serves thousands of clients across the U.S. Now, its gift is fueling paid internships, expanding access to services for taxpayers, and putting classroom knowledge to work in the real world.
VITA provides free, high-quality tax preparation for qualifying community members. It’s a mutually beneficial program for students and the community. Students train to IRS standards, prepare real returns, and practice client service and confidentiality under faculty mentorship. Taxpayers gain accurate returns, e-filing support, and help claiming credits that can boost household finances. “At Wipfli, we believe our involvement in the UWGB VITA program not only enhances the quality of tax preparation services for the local area but also empowers students with real-world experience, ultimately benefiting the entire community. We have loved seeing this program expand over the years.”
In 2025, VITA filed 850 returns. That’s a 17% increase over last season. Wipfli’s $6,600 donation helped create paid tax internships, so students don’t have to choose between a paycheck and experience.
Paid roles also acknowledge the hours required for training, intake, preparation, and quality review, while elevating the professionalism of the service.
“You can see it on their faces, how thankful they are”
Students say the experience is transformative. They leave with résumé-ready skills in taxation, client interviewing, documentation, and teamwork. Plus, they gain a confidence that only real-world experience can provide. “It gives us the opportunity to work with people instead of just reading the book and filling in the forms. It’s a different experience,” said Yesenia Rodriguez Villalobos, a UW-Green Bay Accounting student. She added that the experience is just as valuable for the clients. “You can see it on their faces, how thankful they are,” she said. Coinciding with opportunities like VITA, the Accounting program has grown 46% in the last three years, now with more than 250 declared majors.
Wipfli’s support is a model of community-engaged philanthropy. It’s strategic, student-centered, and measured by outcomes that matter to Northeast Wisconsin. By investing in applied learning, Wipfli helps UW-Green Bay prepare the region’s next generation of accountants and advisors while
supporting our neighbors as they navigate tax season.