What is EITC?
Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program is a way for businesses and individuals to enrich educational opportunities for students and earn tax credits by donating to an Educational Improvement Organization. Through EITC, eligible businesses can receive tax credits equal to 75% of their contribution, up to $750,000 per taxable year. The tax credit may be increased to 90% of the contribution if the business or individual agrees to provide the same amount for two consecutive tax years. Individuals with Pennsylvania-source income can receive a state tax credit of up to 90% of their contribution, so it costs very little to donate a lot.
EITC applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis once submissions open on July 1 each year. More information about specific eligibility may be found at dced.pa.gov.
Why EITC?
The EITC Program is a way for businesses and individuals to direct their tax dollars back to the community. EITC contributing partners help Da Vinci Science Center engage thousands of students and teachers throughout Pennsylvania, including many from schools located in communities with high concentrations of families in living in poverty. These districts have fewer resources to dedicate to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) education.
By engaging students in hands-on STEAM learning experiences, the science center helps build students’ confidence and skills in STEAM so they are better prepared for future careers and STEAM-literate lives. These programs play a vital role in building the education-to-workforce pipeline that fuels the PA economy.
In FY 2024, Da Vinci Science Center EITC Programs Served 184 Schools in 56 School Districts from 15 Pennsylvania Counties.
What Da Vinci Science Center Programs does EITC funding support?
Structured field trip experiences to Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion that are aligned with school curricula and reinforce PA Department of Education STEELS and Career Education and Workforce Standards
School field trips are a popular way in which school children interact with Da Vinci Science Center. The workshops and exhibits provide a variety of opportunities for students to learn complex concepts, and offer real-world connections to classroom learning. These experiences are critical for preparing students for the 21st-century workforce.
Traveling Science Shows that feature live demonstrations and interactive assembly programs
Traveling Science Shows are interactive assembly programs for students. Da Vinci Science Center educators bring immersive experiences to schools, exposing students to scientific programming they wouldn’t normally experience. These programs are designed to spark students’ interest and curiosity, and keep them engaged in science learning.
Traveling Science Classroom and After-School Programs
Classroom programs during the school day and after-school programs reinforce learning, improve student knowledge, interests, attitudes, skills, and behaviors related to STEAM education and STEM careers. Standards-based classroom programs can be single-day, multiple-day, semester-long, or summer experiences. They can be held in schools or at community locations and are available during school hours and for after-school programs.
STEM summer literacy programs to help reduce summer learning loss
Summer learning is critical for student success. The combination of science and literacy is a powerful means to capture student interest and engagement. Da Vinci Science Center offers six-week STEM and literacy summer programs at urban school sites during the summer months. In these programs, science and literacy instruction is combined with positive youth development to decrease summer learning loss, increase academic performance, and increase science capital. Classes are co-taught by a Da Vinci Science Center educator and a teacher from a school or community partner.
STEAM Career Pathways Certificate Program providing educational programs, mentoring, and internships for middle and high school students
This new signature program addresses the challenges faced by traditionally underrepresented groups and advances educational and employment opportunities available in STEAM fields. Through a series of graduated opportunities, the program follows individuals with an interest in STEAM from middle school through high school and provides participants with the opportunity to explore STEAM careers, take classes in their area of interest, meet practicing professionals, and participate in a paid internship. The program is available to students from the neighborhoods in the immediate vicinity of the science center and throughout the greater Lehigh Valley region.
Da Vinci Science Center is the leading provider of STEAM education in Northeastern PA.
Your gift sustains our vision of nurturing future scientists, engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs from all backgrounds.
For more information about supporting EITC Programs at Da Vinci Science Center, contact: MaryEllen Dickey, Chief Philanthropy Officer
For Businesses
To apply to participate in the EITC Program, go to the Pennsylvania EITC website.
For Individuals
Learn how to direct your PA State Taxes to Da Vinci through the EITC Program where your $500 gift becomes a $5000 donation! Contact MaryEllen Dickey, Chief Philanthropy Officer at MaryEllen@davincisciencecenter.org
It costs a dime to give a dollar to Da Vinci Science Center!
Da Vinci Science Center thanks these recent EITC Partners:
- American Bank
- Avalon Insurance
- Capital Blue Cross
- Embassy Bank
- Fulton Bank
- John Yurconic Agency
- PPL
- QNB Bank
- Truist Bank
- UGI Utilities
- Weis Markets, Inc.
Partial list of Da Vinci Science Center’s Participating Schools
- 16th & Haak Elementary School
- A.M. Kulp Elementary School
- Alburtis Elementary School
- Allentown School District
- Antonia Pantoja Charter School
- Arlington Heights Elementary School
- Asa Packer Elementary School
- Ashfield Academy
- B. Reed Henderson High School
- B.F. Morey Elementary School
- Bangor Area High School
- Bedminster Elementary School
- Blue Bell Elementary School
- Blue Mountain Elementary East
- Blue Mountain Elementary West
- Brandywine Heights Elementary School
- Bridge Valley Elementary School
- Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays Elementary School
- Broughal Middle School
- Building 21
- Calypso Elementary School
- Central Elementary School
- Cetronia Elementary School
- Charlestown Elementary School
- Cheston Elementary School
- Chipperfield Elementary School
- Clear Run Intermediate School
- Clearview Elementary School
- Coatesville Senior High School
- Colebrookdale Elementary School
- Dana Street Elementary School
- DeFranco Elementary School
- Dieruff High School
- Dodd Elementary School
- Donegan Elementary School
- Doyle Elementary School
- Dunmore Elementary Center
- Earl Elementary School
- East Coventry Elementary School
- East Hills Middle School
- East Vincent Elementary
- Easton Area Middle School PICASSO
- Easton Arts Academy Elementary Charter School
- Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy
- Elementary Newcomer Academy
- Evans Elementary School
- Evergreen Elementary School
- Executive Education Academy Charter School
- Exton Elementary School
- Eyer Middle School
- Fogelsville Elementary School
- Forks Elementary School
- Fountain Hill Elementary School
- Francis A. March Elementary School
- Francis H Sheckler Elementary School
- Freedom High School
- Freemansburg Elementary School
- French Creek Elementary School
- Furness High School
- Gayman Elementary School
- Gockley Elementary School
- Governor Wolf Elementary School
- Green Woods Charter School
- Gwyn Nor Elementary School
- Hallowell Elementary School
- Hamilton Elementary School
- Hanover Elementary School
- Harrison Morton Middle School
- Hereford Elementary School
- Insight PA Cyber Charter School
- Jackson Early Childhood Center
- James Buchanan Elementary School
- James Rhoads School
- Jefferson Elementary School
- K-6 Newcomer Academy
- Kernsville Elementary School
- Kratzer Elementary School
- Lakeland Elementary
- Mayfield Campus
- Lehigh Parkway Elementary School
- Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School
- Lincoln Elementary School
- Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School
- Linden Elementary School
- Macungie Elementary School
- Marlborough Elementary School
- Martin Luther King High School
- Marvine Elementary School
- McCall Elementary School
- Mill Creek Elementary School
- Mosser Elementary School
- Muhlenberg Elementary Center
- Muhlenberg Elementary School
- Neidig Elementary School
- New Hanover Upper Frederick Elementary School
- North Coventry Elementary School
- North Penn High School
- Northeast Middle School
- Northern Lehigh School District INSPIRE
- Northwest Area Elementary
- Northwestern Elementary School
- Oak Park Elementary School
- Oak Ridge Elementary School
- Orefield Middle School
- PA Cyber Charter School
- PA Distance Learning Charter School
- PA Virtual Charter School
- Packer Ridge Academy
- Palmer Elementary School
- Parkside Education Center
- Paxinosa Elementary School
- Penn Wood Elementary School
- Penn Wood Middle School
- Pfaff Elementary School
- Phoenixville Middle School
- Pickering Valley Elementary School
- Pine Run Elementary School
- Plymouth Elementary School
- Pocono Mountain East High School
- Pocono Mountain West High School
- Quakertown Community High School
- Quakertown Elementary School
- Ramos Elementary School
- Raub Middle School
- Reach Cyber Charter School
- Reading Virtual Academy
- Richland Elementary School
- Ridge Park Elementary School
- Ringing Rocks Elementary School
- Ritter Elementary School
- Roberto Clemente Charter School
- Roosevelt Elementary School
- S.S. Palmer Elementary School
- Salford Hills Elementary School
- Schuylkill ACHIEVE
- Schuylkill Haven Middle School
- Schuylkill Valley Elementary School
- Schwenksville Elementary School
- Secondary Newcomer Academy
- Seven Generations Charter School
- Seylar Elementary School
- Shafer Elementary School
- Shamona Creek Elementary
- School Shawnee Elementary
- Sheridan Elementary School
- Skippack Elementary School
- Souderton Charter School
- South Elementary School
- South Mountain Middle School
- Spring Garden Elementary School
- Springhouse Middle School
- Steckel Elementary School
- STEM Academy
- Strath Haven Middle School
- Tamaqua Elementary School
- Thirteenth and Green Elementary School
- Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
- Towamensing Elementary School
- Tracy Elementary School
- Tredyffrin Easttown Middle School
- Trexler Middle School
- Tyson-Schoener Elementary School
- Union Terrace Elementary School
- Upper Darby High School
- Upper Perkiomen 4/5 Center
- Uwchlan HIlls Elementary School
- Vernfield Elementary School
- Warwick Elementary School
- Washington Elementary School
- Weisenberg Elementary School
- West Broad Street Elementary School
- Whitehall-Coplay Middle School
- Whitemarsh Elementary School
- William Allen High School
- William Penn Elementary School
- Willow Academy
- Willow Creek Elementary School
- Wilson Area Intermediate School
- Wilson Borough Elementary School
- Zephyr Elementary School
