Did you know that the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC), administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), allows area businesses to allocate their tax dollars to local school districts to support a wide range of academic and enrichment programs? Instead of sending tax dollars to Harrisburg, a portion of tax funds stay in local communities to help local students.  What an easy way to help students reach their potential!

Through EITC, businesses of any size can support a wide range of programs at area school districts, including those related to science and STEM-related initiatives, as well as Technology Student Association (TSA) activities, environmental programming and dual enrollment. Several local schools are already receiving EITC funding to move their projects forward, thanks to local businesses. In fact, in 2013, more than $37,000 was contributed locally.

It’s simple for businesses to apply, whether your company is new to the EITC program or has been participating for years. Online applications are due to DCED by July 1 for first-time participants. The program is so popular with businesses that the tax credits are usually exhausted just hours after each application process opens.

As a DCED-approved Educational Improvement Organization, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies administers EITC dollars that businesses contribute to the program or allocate to local school districts for approved EITC programming. If you are interested in learning more about EITC funding and how it can support your district and its students, please feel free to contact Katrina Perkosky, Development Associate, at 814-536-7741, ext.119.  You may also click here to visit the PA DCED website to learn more about the program and how businesses can become a part of it.

Posted on May 23, 2014 at 10:29 AM by Angie Berzonski