We're excited to let you know about a new, time-sensitive opportunity to support The Center for Architecture + Design and reduce your tax bill. The window for participation closes on December 15, 2022, so please act now to leverage your taxes for maximize impact — on the youth of Philadelphia, the design professions, and your bottom line.

What’s the Opportunity?

• Because the Center’s K-12 education program is now a certified Educational Improvement Organization in Pennsylvania, your donation is eligible for Educational Improvement Tax Credits (EITC) at 90%. Due to Federal tax deductions that are also available to businesses, your combined tax benefits may actually exceed the value of your gift — all while you help us bring the discovery of design and the built environment to students across Philadelphia.
• We are partnering with Friends of Education, experts in this field, and we will offer a 20-minute webinar and take your questions on Monday, November 21st at 12 pm. 

How does it work?

• Pennsylvania’s EITC allows you to channel your tax dollars directly to a qualified educational organization that supports your values. The Center for Architecture + Design is now qualified. EITC gives donors a 90% state tax credit. For example: a $10,000 donation yields a $9,000 PA tax liability credit.
• Business donors receive an additional benefit at the federal level. For every $100 your business donates, your federal tax bill could be decreased by up to $40, while your Pennsylvania tax bill decreases by $90. Please consult your tax professional when making a gift decision.

What’s the impact?

• Our K-12 program is committed to exponentially expanding access to design education for students across Philadelphia.

In the classroom, I’m fighting the students’ urge to not care – they have problems that are so much bigger. I have to make every class relevant, expanding their lens. I show them how their problems could be tied to their built environment and push them to ask: ‘How could I learn to make it better?   —Candice Vanderhorst, MArch, Volunteer Teacher

• As we expand career horizons for students in largely underserved African American and Latinx communities, we are building a pipeline to design and construction careers for all. This lays the groundwork for greater diversity and justice in the professions.

Design education is a social escalator, a game changer. Architecture and design let kids say: “Yes I’m really good at that! Even if I don’t do well in standardized tests, I can think with my hands.”   —Andrew P. Phillips, Chair, School of Design, String Theory Schools

What’s my next move?

Please contact Jermaine Jenkins to discuss your interest in EITC. Or you can reach out to Jed Silversmith or Todd Unger at Friends of Education.

EITC combines the vision we share for a more just and sustainable future, with effective tax planning and strategic marketing for your firm. I look forward to welcoming you into the program.

Rebecca Johnson
Executive Director