Bridge Educational Foundation and its donor Verizon announced $26,000 in scholarships for Bucks County families. Students attending the following schools will benefit from tuition scholarships: Holy Family Regional School, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School, St. Ephrem School, Our Lady of Grace School and St. Charles of Borromeo School.
Pennsylvania’s landmark Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program is celebrating two decades of success next year. The public-private partnership that the EITC creates is more important than ever for families who are suffering financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. EITC tuition scholarships can help to keep students in schools that best fit their educational needs and allow new families the financial help to choose the best school to fit their family’s changing needs.
Bridge Educational Foundation has provided educational tax credit scholarships to more than 30,000 students in 61 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
“The EITC is providing families in Bucks County and throughout the state with a choice,” said Natalie Nutt, executive director of Bridge Educational Foundation. “The program has paired community-minded businesses like Verizon with families since 2001. We hope that with the support of the continued support of state lawmakers and Pennsylvania businesses, the EITC will allow more families the chance to choose the best educational options for their children.”
Pennsylvania’s educational tax credits are successful thanks to the support of the Pennsylvania legislature and because of the participation of thousands of Pennsylvania businesses. In addition to the participating businesses, hundreds more remain on a waiting list to participate in the program.
“Verizon is proud to continue its participation in the Pennsylvania EITC program and in its partnership with the Bridge Educational Foundation to help promote the value of education for families and children in Bucks County,” said Frank Buzydlowski, director of Pennsylvania government relations for Verizon. “This program offers Verizon a great opportunity to give back to the communities where our employees live and work, and to invest in educational initiatives that prepare our children with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the unique challenges of the 21st century’s tech-driven, global community.”
The scholarship donations announced are part of the K-12 and Pre-K EITC programs. The K-12 EITC tuition program provides companies with a 75 percent tax credit – 90 percent for a two-year commitment – for funds donated to approved, nonprofit scholarship or educational improvement organizations. Businesses may donate up to $750,000 per year through the K-12 program. The Pre-K EITC initiative offers businesses up to $200,000 in tax credits annually at a 90 percent tax credit for funds donated to an approved nonprofit scholarship organization like the Bridge Educational Foundation.
For more information on the foundation and how to request scholarship funding, visit bridgeedu.org
