Community foundation to host seminar on tax credit
Washington County Community Foundation will host a luncheon seminar, “Control Your Tax Destiny: Using Corporate Tax Credits In Your Community” at 11:30 a.m. Nov.15 at Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe.
The seminar, which is free of charge, will to explain the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs. Attendees will learn how businesses may receive tax credits of between 75 percent and 100 percent through qualifying contributions to WCCF.
The seminar is designed for corporate human resources, tax and public relations professionals, accountants, attorneys, bank professionals, entrepreneurs, school superintendents and business managers.
According to a news release from WCCF, the generosity of local corporations has enabled the foundation to award more than $1.6 million through the EITC And OSTC programs to both private and public educational institutions in Washington County. The foundation works with each of its corporate donors to select the educational programs that align most closely with their corporate philosophy.
For example, many corporate donors wish to support educational institutions near their facilities or with whom they have a relationship.
In the most recent grant cycle, WCCF awarded $68,000 in grants to local schools for innovative programs including $10,000 to McGuffey School District to purchase equipment needed for students to complete data analysis, a germination program, and a tilapia breeding program with each elementary school’s greenhouse and aquaponic growing system. Funding for the grants was provided by EQT Corp., WCCF’s first EITC contributor.
“Through the commonwealth’s EITC Program, EQT has been proud to support Washington County schools as they enhance learning techniques in the classroom, especially those in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines,” stated Stephanie Paluda, EQT Local Government and Community Affairs Specialist.
In addition to providing funding for innovative educational programs, scholarships are awarded to needy families for pre-K and nonpublic kindergarten through grade 12 programs through the EITC and OSTC programs.
“Tomorrow’s leaders are being trained in today’s classrooms, said Christopher Claspy, vice president and Washington County area manager of Northwest Savings Bank. “Through our support of the Washington County Community Foundation, Northwest Savings Bank has a fantastic opportunity to help fuel student success in many different ways – from providing pre-school and K-12 scholarships to financially needy children to awarding grants to public school programs that focus on the elements of a 21st-century education.”
Seminar panelists will include: John Milinovich, CPA, CFO, Washington Financial; Christopher Claspy, vice president, Northwest Savings Bank; Dr. Roberta DiLorenzo, superintendent, Washington School District; Rick Mancini, director of district operations, Washington School District; Don Militzer, principal, Madonna Catholic Regional School; and Edward Morascyzk, Esq., WCCF Chairman of the Board.
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required, which can be done online at www.wccf.net/events or by calling the foundation office at 724-222-6330.
WCCF promotes and facilitates charitable giving in the community and currently manages charitable assets of more than $18 million. Cumulatively, the foundation has distributed over $7.8 million in grants and scholarships. For more information about WCCF, please visit www.wccf.net.