A Smarter Way to Support Students

Use Your Pennsylvania Tax Dollars to Build Brighter Future

Across the Lehigh Valley, families and schools are working together to create brighter futures. United Way Community Schools strengthen that partnership by ensuring students have access to school supplies, nutritious food, health supports, and opportunities for parent engagement—helping children and their families achieve lasting success.

You can fuel this work without significantly increasing your giving.

With Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, you decide how your tax dollars are used, keeping them in the Lehigh Valley to strengthen schools and create brighter futures for students. Long available to businesses, this powerful opportunity is now open to individuals as well.

EITC lets you turn a tax obligation into community investment. Your commitment unlocks extraordinary results: more students supported, more families engaged, and stronger schools across our region. And while the program requires giving upfront, most of your contribution is returned to you through state tax credits and federal deductions—leaving a lasting impact far greater than the final cost.

Simple. Smart. Impactful.

How Pennsylvania’s EITC Works:

1. Confirm eligibility

• Individuals with annual household income of $200,000+ and a Pennsylvania tax liability may qualify.
• You must also be affiliated with a PA business (as an employee, partner, shareholder, or owner).

2. Join United Way’s SPE

• Through a quick enrollment process, we will walk you through how to join our SPE.
• A Special Purpose Entity (SPE) is a simple LLC that holds the tax credits.
• United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley has already established an SPE, so enrollment is quick, and we will walk you through the process.

3. Make your commitment

• Decide whether you want to commit for one year or two.
• Send your contribution to the SPE (check or bank transfer).

4. Receive your tax benefits

• Up to 90% of your gift is returned to you as a PA state tax credit.
• The remaining 10% is eligible as a federal charitable deduction.

5. See your impact

• Your redirected tax dollars support 34 United Way Community Schools, supporting student success in our region’s highest need neighborhoods.

A $12,000 contribution could cost less than $1,000 after tax benefits – let us explain how.

why it matters:

Your redirected tax dollars:

• Fund literacy, STEM, enrichment, health and afterschool programs in 34 Community Schools
• Help students and families meet basic needs and find critical resources
• Strengthen local education and student success with your existing tax liability

quick faqs:

What are the tax benefits of making an EITC-qualified gift?

Participating in Pennsylvania’s EITC program is one of the most efficient ways to make a meaningful impact on local education. By redirecting your state tax dollars through United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, you can significantly expand your giving power while receiving substantial tax benefits in return.

The example below shows how a $12,000 contribution can yield powerful results:

Isn’t EITC just for businesses?

Not anymore. Individuals affiliated with Pennsylvania businesses (partners, shareholders, employees, or owners) can now participate.

What is an SPE and why must I join?

A Special Purpose Entity (SPE) is an LLC approved by the state to hold tax credits. It’s what allows individuals to access EITC. United Way has already established an SPE, so joining is as simple as signing a one-page agreement.

How much will this really cost me?

Very little. Because of the tax credit and deduction, most donors see an out-of-pocket cost of less than 10% of their total contribution. While participation requires an initial out-of-pocket contribution, donors receive refunds through their state tax credit and federal deduction. Many choose to reinvest those refunded dollars into future EITC participation, turning one year of giving into a sustainable, year-over-year commitment that continues to grow their impact.

How can I learn more?

Participation is limited each year, and credits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’d like to explore whether this opportunity is right for you, United Way will walk you through every detail.

Don’t just pay taxes — put them to work for kids in our community.