Twenty Pennsylvania Nonprofit Organizations Share $143,000 in Educational Grants From Verizon Through State Tax Credit Program

January 12, 2010, Philadelphia, PRNewswire — Grants totaling $143,000 from Verizon Pennsylvania will open up a range of educational and scholarship opportunities for children served by 20 nonprofit organizations across the state.

The grants were made possible through Verizon's participation in Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which last year authorized $60 million in tax credits to Pennsylvania businesses that made contributions to scholarship, educational improvement and pre-K scholarship organizations. Verizon selected the nonprofits from a state-approved list, awarding grants ranging from $3,500 to $25,000 to support educational programs.

"Verizon's participation in Pennsylvania's EITC program demonstrates our continued dedication to promoting the value of education," said Gale Y. Given, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "It's a win for the children and parents in the communities served by these nonprofits, and it's a win for companies like Verizon, which have an opportunity to invest in education and prepare our children to meet the unique challenges of living and working in the 21st century."

The grants awarded through the EITC program complement the millions of dollars in grants Verizon has annually awarded to scores of Pennsylvania nonprofits through the Verizon Foundation and the company's "Check Into Literacy" campaign.

The following nonprofit organizations received grants:
• Bridge Educational Foundation, Harrisburg ($25,000).
• Corporation for Penn State, University Park ($23,000).
• Quaker School at Horsham ($10,000).
• Philadelphia Mural Arts, Philadelphia ($8,000).
• Fund for the Advancement of Minorities through Education, Pittsburgh ($7,250).
• South Central Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Program, Harrisburg ($7,250).
• Community Partnership School, Philadelphia ($5,000).
• Crossroads Foundation, Pittsburgh ($5,000).
• Officer Daniel Boyle Scholarship Fund, Philadelphia ($5,000).
• Phase 4 Learning Center, Pittsburgh ($5,000).
• Pittsburgh Urban Christian School Inc., Pittsburgh ($5,000).
• Poise Foundation, Pittsburgh ($5,000).
• Washington County Community Foundation, Washington ($5,000).
• Jumpstreet, Harrisburg ($4,500).
• East End Cooperative Ministry, Pittsburgh ($4,000).
• Harrisburg Public School Foundation ($4,000).
• Need in Deed, Philadelphia ($4,000).
• The Tyler Youth Group Inc., Aliquippa ($4,000).
• Negro Educational Emergency Drive, Pittsburgh ($3,500).
• Northside Urban Pathways Foundation, Pittsburgh ($3,500).