We believe that everyone deserves a shot at a better life.

Ladder Up provides hardworking people with free financial resources to help our clients secure the opportunities they need to move up the economic ladder.

  • Tax Assistance Program
  • Legal Tax Clinic Help
  • Financial Aid for College & Financial Literacy
Founded In 1994

When 22-year-old Chicago business analyst and volunteer basketball coach Robert Burke saw how the hardworking families of his west side team were struggling to make ends meet, he took a shot at helping out. With the goal of securing unclaimed tax credits for the people of this underserved but deserving community, he recruited 90 colleagues to prepare tax returns at no cost. The efforts paid off, returning over $150,000 in tax refunds to 120 families.

$1.42 billion

Returned to Clients

750,000

Clients Served

Meet the Team

  • Sharifa Haye

    Executive Director

  • Josh Krivan

    Director of LITC & Staff Attorney

  • Susana Ramirez

    Paralegal, Tax Clinic

  • Becky Santiago

    Director of Tax Assistance Program

  • Evelyn Espinosa

    Senior Tax Assistance Program Manager

  • Karina Ruiz

    Operations & ITIN Manager

  • Lisa McDermott

    Volunteer Engagement Manager

  • Lisbeth Molina

    Office Manager

  • Maria Rivera

    Financial Capabilities Program Coordinator