Youth
ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION
Pennsylvania Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship (PA Wilds Center) is a state-approved Educational Improvement Organization (EIO). We offer innovative programming to public schools within the 12 1/2 –county Pennsylvania Wilds region. This programming includes everything from paid internships for high school students at PA Wilds Center’s PA Wilds Conservation Shops, to classes offered through our PA Wilds Outdoor Industry Exploration Series, to company models where students learn business and technical skills while tying into our regional brand and platforms such as pawilds.com. These opportunities are made possible through the generous donations of companies participating in the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program.
Check out our current EIO Program offerings:
WHAT IS THE EITC PROGRAM?
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program allows Pennsylvania businesses to earn tax credits, which can reduce their tax bill dollar-for-dollar, for contributions made to an approved Scholarship Organization, Educational Improvement Organization (EIO), and/or a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization.
Pennsylvania Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship is an approved EIO!
Businesses making an EIO donation may be eligible to receive a tax credit of 75% for a one-year commitment or 90% for a two-year commitment. Eligible companies may take up to $750,000 in tax credits per fiscal year. Learn more: Educational Improvement Tax Credit Information.
OTHER COOL EFFORTS: In 2015, PA Wilds Center worked with the North Central PREP Network to secure $90,000 from PA DCED to provide more than a dozen high schools across the Pennsylvania Wilds with seed funding so students could start businesses inside their schools for hands-on learning. Most of these mini businesses still exist today!Because it’s win-win-win!
WHY DONATE to PA WILDS CENTER through EITC?
By making a tax deductible donation to PA Wilds Center through the EITC program, not only does your company receive a reduction in your tax liability, it makes a positive impact in the lives of young people in rural Pennsylvania. AND, all of our EITC opportunities for kids are set up to also leverage the groundbreaking regional effort to grow nature and heritage tourism in the Pennsylvania Wilds as a way to create jobs, diversify economies, inspire stewardship and improve quality of life. Support our youth programs, and it also helps advance the Wilds movement!
Download our EITC Giving Brochure HERE.
GIVING BACK & MAKING A DIFFERENCE
A huge thanks to companies that have donated to our EIO programs, helping us reach more than 1,300 students with programming!