CONSOL Energy Inc. recently made an $80,000 contribution to the Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) Educational Improvement Fund. The contribution was made through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. The Educational Improvement Fund provides grants for innovative educational programs in the public schools.
“CONSOL Energy is committed to educational initiatives that improve academic achievement and contribute to individual success,” said Tommy Johnson, Vice President Public & Government Relations. “We are proud to once again partner with the Community Foundation Of Greene County to support innovative projects that will strengthen curriculum and enrich communities across the county.”
CONSOL Energy, both a coal and natural gas producer, has been headquartered in Appalachia for nearly 150 years.
The Greene County Educational Improvement Fund was established in 2005 when the Foundation was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s EITC program.
Businesses receive Pennsylvania tax credits for their contributions – 90% tax credit if the business makes a two-year gift, or a 75% tax credit for a single year gift, up to a maximum of $750,000 in credits per taxable year, for the innovative Educational Improvement and K-12 scholarship programs.
The EITC Educational Improvement Fund supports innovative, advanced-academic educational projects that enhance the curriculum or academic program of a public school. Teachers and administrators in Greene County school districts may submit grant proposals to the Foundation at any time during the year to be considered for an EITC Educational Improvement Fund award. Criteria and application information can be found on the CFGC website.
“The Educational Improvement Fund supports a wide range of projects in Greene County schools,” said Stammerjohn. “Because of CONSOL’s support we have been able to support the Greene County Envirothon, partner with Westmoreland County Community College to teach Greene County high schools about careers in the natural gas industry, provide technology updates and art programs in Southeastern Greene and West Greene school districts. Those are just a few of the projects supported with EITC contributions.”
For more information on the EITC program, contact the Community Foundation office.