As Philly’s public school budget cuts threatened to cut away at Greenfield Elementary School’s art program, parents of the students found a way to get funding for the program and keep it off the chopping block, according to the Weekly Press.
While brainstorming of ways to keep the art program alive, word got around of a program that allows businesses to donate to financially struggling schools as a way to redirect the businesses' tax dollars.
“When we heard this, we thought this couldn’t be true,” said Melissa April, parent of a Greenfield Elementary student.
As it turns out, it is true.
The program is called the Education Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) and it enables businesses to donate money to schools in lieu of paying state taxes.
A written report describing how the funds would be used was required in order for Greenfield to receive money. Along with the report, Greenfield had to earn the status of an Education Improvement Organization (EIO) and approval from School District of Philadelphia’s Superintendent.
The main stipulation of the EITC is the funds provided to the school must be used for programs “which have been eliminated due to budget cuts including studio art, performing arts, and foreign language instruction.”
The funds, which the school will get for the 2012-1013 school year, will be used towards visiting art teachers, art supplies or if enough money is donated, an employed art teacher.
The participating businesses can receive a tax credit of 75% of their contribution – up to $300,000 per year. If the business agrees to donate the same amount for two consecutive years, the tax credit increases to 90%.
