EQT provides contributions to community foundation’s educational improvement tax credit program
EQT Corp. provided two contributions to the Community Foundation of Greene County through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.
One contribution of $50,000 provides support for the pre-kindergarten scholarship program.
The second contribution of $31,666 was made to the educational improvement fund.
The prekindergarten scholarship fund provides scholarships for Greene County preschool-aged children to attend prekindergarten programs. There are now 12 Greene County programs approved to participate in the prekindergarten scholarship programs.
The educational improvement fund provides grants for innovative educational programs in public schools such as technology for media classes, robotics programs and outdoor classrooms, among many other possible projects.
“EQT has a longstanding commitment to making a positive impact on our communities by partnering with community outreach initiatives that make a difference, particularly for our children,” said Casey Durdines, EQT community adviser.
The Greene County Educational Improvement Fund and the Greene County Pre-K Fund were established in 2004 and 2005, respectively, when the foundation was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s EITC program.
“We are so pleased to work with EQT to support public school curriculum projects which benefit our Greene County students as well as assist families secure quality pre-K services for their children,” said Bettie Stammerjohn, foundation executive director.
Businesses receive Pennsylvania tax credits for contributions for the innovative educational improvement and K-12 scholarship programs. There is a 90 percent tax credit if the business makes a two-year gift and a 75 percent tax credit for a single year gift, up to $750,000 in credits per taxable year.
For the pre-K scholarship program, businesses receive a 100 percent tax credit on the first $10,000 and 90 percent tax credit on additional amounts up to $200,000.
The EITC educational improvement fund supports innovative, advanced-academic educational projects that enhance the curriculum or academic program of a public school.
Teachers and administrators in Greene County school districts may submit grant proposals to the foundation at any time during the year to be considered for an EITC educational improvement fund award. Criteria and application information can be found on the foundation’s webpage at http://www.cfgcpa.org/schoolgrants.html.
The educational improvement fund supports a wide range of projects in Greene County schools such as grants to purchase equipment for the EMT class at Carmichaels and to build an outdoor classroom at Mapletown High School.
The EITC pre-K scholarship program provides children and families with an opportunity to participate in a quality pre-K program which gives children a good start toward being successful in school and beyond.
Families may apply for a scholarship, which is paid directly to an approved pre-K provider, to help offset tuition and fees for the child.
According to Stammerjohn, some parents think they can’t afford to send their child to a pre-K program, but this scholarship opportunity will help offset the cost to the family and make pre-K programs more affordable, even for middle income families.
The foundation provided scholarships to more than 80 Greene County children attending 11 preschool programs during 2014.
To receive an EITC pre-K scholarship, a child must be at least 3 years old and attending an approved pre-K program. Household income must not exceed $75,000 with an additional $15,000 allowed for each dependent child.
For more information on how to apply for an EITC Pre-K Scholarship, or how to become an approved pre-K provider, call foundation at 724-627-2010, or email us at cfgcpa@gmail.com.
For more information on the EITC program, call the foundation at 724-627-2010, or email at cfgcpa@gmail.com.