Students leaning from a Thaddeus Stevens College-sponsored STEM event as part of the College’s K-16 program

EITC Tax Credit

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Turn Your PA Tax Dollars Into Student Futures

Pennsylvania businesses can receive a 75% to 90% tax credit by contributing to innovative K-12 STEM programs through the Thaddeus Stevens Foundation.

What Is the EITC?

Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), awards tax credits to businesses that contribute to approved educational organizations. The Thaddeus Stevens Foundation is an approved Educational Improvement Organization (EIO), meaning your contribution directly funds innovative K-12 STEM programs that go beyond what public schools can offer on their own.

Your Tax Credit

This is not just a donation. It is a tax credit, meaning you get most of your contribution back dollar-for-dollar against your PA tax liability.

75% tax credit for a one-year commitment

90% tax credit for a two-year commitment at the same contribution level

Up to $750,000 in tax credits per business per year

Example: A business that contributes $10,000 with a two-year commitment receives a $9,000 tax credit each year, making the net cost just $1,000 to fund transformative student programs.

Is Your Business Eligible?

Any business authorized to do business in Pennsylvania and subject to one or more of the following taxes may apply:

Personal Income Tax

Corporate Net Income Tax

Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax

Bank Shares Tax

Title Insurance & Trust Company Shares Tax

Insurance Premiums Tax

Mutual Thrift Tax

Malt Beverage Tax

Surplus Lines Tax

This includes pass-through entities and special purpose pass-through entities. Sole proprietorships and entities not subject to tax are not eligible.

How to Participate

Apply online at DCED. Submit your application through the DCED Single Application for Assistance at dced.pa.gov. Applications open July 1 each year and are approved first-come, first-served until tax credits are exhausted.

Name the Thaddeus Stevens Foundation as your EIO. When completing the application, select “Educational Improvement Organization” and designate the Thaddeus Stevens Foundation.

Receive your DCED approval letter. DCED reviews your application and issues a letter confirming your tax credit amount.

Make your contribution within 60 days. Send your contribution directly to the Thaddeus Stevens Foundation. We will issue a receipt on Foundation letterhead for your records and for DCED.

Claim the credit on your PA tax return. Apply the credit against your PA tax liability for the year the contribution was made.

Key Dates

Milestone	Date
New DCED applications open	July 1 each year
Two-year renewal applications accepted	Beginning May 15
Application window	Until tax credits are exhausted (apply early)
Contribution deadline	Within 60 days of your approval letter
DCED proof of contribution deadline	Within 90 days of your approval letter

Programs Your Contribution Supports

Every dollar contributed through EITC funds innovative STEM education programs that public schools cannot provide on their own. The Thaddeus Stevens Foundation currently operates four DCED-approved programs:

Adopt-a-Kindergarten

A multi-component STEM program for kindergarten classes in the School District of Lancaster, where 90% of students are low-income. College faculty lead hands-on STEM sessions in classrooms, the BrightNow! Artist-in-Residence delivers a 16-week program teaching STEM concepts through music and song, and young scholars visit the Thaddeus Stevens campus for lab tours and receive a photo ID badge with their potential graduation year. The year culminates in a spring graduation ceremony. Running since 2011, this program has reached hundreds of kindergarteners annually across Burrowes, Fulton, Price, and Washington Elementary schools.

STEM Experience Workshops, Programs & Initiatives

For students in grades 1 through 11, these hands-on STEM experiences run as extended-day, extended-year, and summer programs. Students explore career pathways in business and IT, engineering, transportation, building and construction, manufacturing, and fabrication technology. Programs are led by expert College faculty and often paired with industry tours and guest speakers. In 2023-2024, this included 51 JA STEM Summit events reaching over 11,000 high school students.

Mobile STEM Truck

The Thaddeus Stevens Mobile STEM Truck brings hands-on learning directly to communities through partnerships with schools, libraries, community organizations, and local industry. Each experience is tied to regional workforce needs and showcases career opportunities with local employers. The truck is available for community events, intergenerational learning experiences, and in-school programming.

Early/Dual Enrollment

Eligible high school students attend classes at Thaddeus Stevens College and earn college and high school credits at the same time. Credits earned apply toward the first year of a two-year Associate Degree, and most program completers continue as sophomores at Thaddeus Stevens, giving them a significant head start on a career in skilled trades or technology.

Our Impact (2024-2025)

Your EITC contribution makes a measurable difference:

100+ K-12 STEM learning events hosted

23,000+ student interactions across all programs

18 school district and community partnerships

500+ campus tour participants

Programs spanning 6 counties in South Central Pennsylvania

14 school districts served across Lancaster County and beyond

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an EIO and a Scholarship Organization?

An Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) like the Thaddeus Stevens Foundation funds innovative educational programs offered to or through public schools. A Scholarship Organization (SO) provides tuition scholarships for students to attend private schools. When applying at DCED, be sure to select “Educational Improvement Organization” and name the Thaddeus Stevens Foundation.

What is the real cost to my business?

With a two-year commitment, a $10,000 contribution costs your business just $1,000 after the 90% tax credit. Even a one-year commitment at 75% means a $10,000 contribution only costs $2,500 out of pocket. Both options also qualify as a charitable deduction for federal tax purposes.

Can the tax credit be sold or carried forward?

No. An EITC not used in the taxable year it was made cannot be sold, assigned, carried forward, or refunded. Pass-through entities may elect to pass unused credits through to their owners for the following taxable year.

What if the credits run out before my application is processed?

Applications are processed first-come, first-served. Apply as early as possible after July 1. If credits are exhausted, you may opt into the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) waitlist as an alternative.