Thank you to the businesses that made contributions to the Foundation this year through EITC!
How Can You Help?
The Charter Arts Foundation, which directly supports the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts), needs your support now more than ever! We rely on fundraising and support of our community to ensure that 650 students have access to our state-of-the-art school building and an arts education that is second to none.
Your help will ensure that our mission can continue and our students can continue to excel in all that they do.
As a regional high school focused on the arts, we attract students from forty-six school districts in eleven different countries and have been recognized as:
- A 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education
- #1 Best Public High School Teachers in PA (out of 666) on Niche’s 2023 Best Schools in America Rankings
- #1 Best Charter High School in PA (out of 75) on Niche’s 2023 Best Schools in America Rankings
- A Top 10 Lehigh Valley high school on U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best Schools in America Rankings
- A Title I Distinguished School from 2016-2020, placing Charter Arts in the top 5% of all Title I high schools in Pennsylvania
We respectfully request that you heARTfully consider making a significant allocation of your EITC funds to nurture the arts and culture of our community and equip our facility to make the magic happen!
Your tax money can support their education and have a lasting impact! Taxes and charitable gifts are both social capital. You have a choice to send your tax dollars to the Charter Arts Foundation to support our valuable mission, and we look forward to your support..
We are eager to visit with you to share our passion for the arts, arts education, and our community. Let’s do it on your terms: school tour, bite to eat, zoom meeting, or phone call! Can’t wait to hear from you!
For more information, please contact Karin Wagner, kwagner@charterarts.org.
What is EITC?
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) authorizes tax credits (not deductions) for businesses that make contributions to Educational Improvement Organizations (like the Charter Arts Foundation).
The EITC Program enables companies to support nonprofit educational foundations (like the Charter Arts Foundation) at minimal cost to the organization. Instead of sending tax dollars to Harrisburg, companies can reallocate them to support the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts through the Charter Arts Foundation.
Entities eligible to apply for EITC are operating business firms authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that are subject to the following taxes:
Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax
Corporate Net Income Tax
Bank Shares Tax
Title Insurance & Trust Company Shares Tax
Insurance Premium Tax (excluding surplus lines, unauthorized, domestic/foreign marine)
Mutual Thrift Tax
Malt Beverage Tax
Retaliatory Fees under section 212 of the Insurance Company Law of 1921
Businesses can significantly reduce their liability for Pennsylvania taxes while they support organizations, like the Charter Arts Foundation, which provide exceptional educational opportunities for students. By participating in the EITC program, a business accrues the public relations benefits that occur when a company actively supports a charitable cause in the area in which the company resides.
The tax credit is a 75% – 90% credit (against taxes owed). Tax credits equal to 75 percent of its contribution up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year. Tax credit can be increased to 90 percent of the contribution, if business agrees to provide the same amount for two consecutive tax years. To receive tax credits, businesses must be approved to make contributions to the Educational Improvement Organizations EIO) that are on the list of such organizations published by the Department.
The Charter Arts Foundation is on this list.
Pennsylvania businesses can begin applying for EITC credits through DCED’s electronic single application system. For more information go to:
https://dced.pa.gov/download/apply-single-application-short-app-121516/?wpdmdl=73144
APPROVED PROGRAMS
The following programs have been accepted by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program as innovative educational programs.
Equipping the Facility to Create a Specialized Environment Integral to the Operation of the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts.
Learning from the Masters / A Pre-professional Performance Program
Creating STEAM – Igniting Passion for Math and Science through Art
Thank you to the following businesses and organizations that have designated the Charter Arts Foundation for their EITC funds.
Peoples Security Bank & Trust
Capital Blue Cross
UPMC Health Plan
Amerisource Bergen Sourcing LLC
Embassy Bank
John Yurconic Agency
Michele M. Tanzella CPA EA LLC
ABOUT THE CHARTER ARTS FOUNDATION
The Charter Arts Foundation is an approved EITC Educational Improvement Organization.
The Charter Arts Foundation was formed in January 2012 to support the health, welfare and educational interests of the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts). The Foundation’s purpose is to operate exclusively for the support and benefit of the school and its affiliated or controlled organizations that are publicly supported charities.
The registered office of the Foundation is, 321 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015.
The Charter Arts Foundation EIN number is 45-3986393.
The Charter Arts Foundation is served by eleven active board members comprised of community leaders, business leaders, and current and former parents of a Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts student. Melinda Stitt serves as the Foundation Board President.
