Ways to Give to the Foundation

• Contribute to the Annual Fund.
• Honor a teacher or loved one with a Teacher Tribute or Memorial Gift.
• Donate to the Teacher Grant Program.
• Fund a large project or program. 

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Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC), a convenient way for businesses to support Colonial School District students

Through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, businesses have the opportunity to direct their tax dollars to support special projects in Colonial School District schools through the Colonial School District Education Foundation (CSDEF). Businesses that are approved for the EITC program would receive a 75% credit of the amount donated — or a 90% credit if the company provides a written two-year commitment at the same donation level. Eligible companies may take up to $300,000 in tax credits per year. Tax credits may be applied against the tax liability of a business for the tax year in which the contribution was made.

What businesses are eligible to participate?

Businesses authorized to do business in Pennsylvania who are subject to one of more of the following taxes:

• Personal Income Tax
• Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax
• Corporate Net Income Tax
• Bank Shares Tax
• Title Insurance & Trust Company Shares Tax
• Insurance Premium Tax (excluding surplus lines, unauthorized, domestic/foreign marine)
• Mutual Thrift Tax
• Malt Beverage Tax
• Retaliatory Fees under section 212 of the Insurance Company Law of 1921

How do business apply?

Pennsylvania businesses can begin applying for EITC credits through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) electronic single application system. Click here to view or download the DCED's business application guide that explains the process of applying. Tax credit applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis by day submitted. All applications received on a specific day will be processed on a random basis before moving on to the next day’s applications. Applications will be approved until the amount of available tax credits is exhausted.

Business application timeline:

• May 15 – Business applicants who have fulfilled their 2-year commitment and wish to reapply in FY 17/18 to renew their 2-year commitment.
• May 15 – Businesses who are in the middle of their 2-year commitment.
• July 3 – All other businesses including initial applicants and those applicants wishing to submit an additional application on top of their previously submitted 2-year commitment.

Colonials’ approved programs for funding:

PROGRAM 1: K-12 STEAM - MAKERSPACE/INNOVATION LABS

Makerspace/Innovation Labs encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they deeply engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). In Makerspace/Innovation Labs, teachers allow students to make connections across different subject areas and solve problems creatively.

PROGRAM 2: OPEN MINDS PROGRAM

Open Minds is an innovation competition at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS) that tasks students with researching real-world issues, identifying problems, proposing solutions and building prototypes. Teams of 2-4 students are mentored by PWHS faculty and LaSalle University students. The goals of the program include exposing students to STEAM college and career pathways, encouraging faculty across content areas to engage in STEAM activities and fostering a relationship with an area college.

PROGRAM 3: TECHNOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION

PWHS and Colonial Middle School (CMS) participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA), which provides local, state and national competitions in STEAM-related events. The events are designed to challenge student to view and explore the world around them in new ways and to provide students with the opportunity to solve real-world problems through The Four Cs (collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication), engineering design and leadership.

PROGRAM 4: COLONIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ROBOTICS TEAM

Students at PWHS and CMS in grades 6-12 who are interested in the field of robotics can participate in designing and building robots for in-school and after school activities, as well as events at local and national robotic competitions.

PROGRAM 5: GIRLS IN TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY

The Girls In Technology Academy (GIT) introduces high level technology concepts to female students entering fifth through eighth grades. The two-week summer program provides opportunities to explore, inquire and develop real-world skills related to Graphic Design and Digital Photography, Web Design, Animation and Gaming, Engineering and Robotics. The purpose of GIT is to pique the interest of girls in areas where females have been historically underrepresented.

PROGRAM 6: STEAM CAREER EXPLORATION

Through STEAM Career Exploration, PWHS students will have a chance to see STEAM careers in action firsthand and interact with guest speakers in the field. The goal of the program is to provide learning opportunities outside of the classroom and have hands-on experiences in STEAM-related occupational fields of interest through job shadowing and internships.

Businesses must to apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development on July 1 to be eligible. Funds are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

The Colonial School District Education Foundation is focusing its funding on:

• STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) initiatives, including elementary "Innovation Labs" for the K-5 libraries that feature robots, 3D printers, and resources that encourage basic engineering principles.
• AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program at Colonial Middle School and Plymouth Whitemarsh High School that targets students in the academic middle and gives them the tools and support to change "if I go to college" to "when I go to college."
• Teacher Grants that support innovative classroom projects and initiatives related to the STEAM culture in Colonial, such as project-based lessons, real-world connections, and programs that highlight The Four Cs: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration and Critical Thinking.

 

Individual Donor Levels

Colonial Contributor (<$100)

• Donor listing in CSD Annual Report
• Donor listing in CSDEF Annual Report

Supporter ($100-$499)

• Donor listing on CSDEF webpage
• Donor listing in CSD Annual Report and Spring Newsletter
• Donor listing in CSDEF Annual Report

Advocate ($500-$999)

• Donor listing on CSDEF webpage
• Donor listing in CSD Annual Report and Spring Newsletter
• Donor listing in CSDEF Annual Report

Innovator ($1000-$2499)

• Donor listing on CSDEF webpage
• Donor listing in CSD Annual Report and Spring Newsletter
• Donor listing in CSDEF Annual Report

Major Donor Levels

Scholar Sponsor ($2,500-$4,999)

• Donor listing on CSDEF webpage
• Donor listing in CSD Annual Report and Spring Newsletter
• Donor listing in CSDEF Annual Report
• Post on CSDEF social media (once per year)
• Live pregame listing of name as a sponsor at sporting events
• Video Bulletin Board ad in gymnasiums (one per rotation)
• Two tickets to attend and sponsor listing at CSDEF main event
• Two tickets to attend donor recognition event
• Private tour showing funding area

Honor Sponsor ($5,000-$7,499)

• Benefits from Scholar Sponsor level
• 1/4 page full color advertisement in the CSD Annual Report and Spring Newsletter
• 1/4 page full color advertisement in the CSDEF Annual Report
• One additional post on social media (twice per year total)

Merit Sponsor ($7,500-$9,999)

• Benefits from Honor Sponsor level
• Addition of logo in donor listing on CSDEF webpage.
• One additional Video Bulletin Board ad in gymnasiums (two per rotation total)
• Thank you slide on CITV Bulletin Board
• Live thank you promotion read at sporting events
• Two additional tickets to the CSDEF main event (four total)
• Two additional tickets to attend donor recognition event (four total)

Champion Sponsor ($10,000-$14,999)

• Benefits from Merit Sponsor level
• Upgrade 1/4 page ad to 1/2 page full color advertisement in the CSD Annual Report
• Two additional posts on social media (four times per year total)
• On-air thank you promotion during CITV game coverage (once per game)
• Two tickets to the PWHS fall play, PWHS spring musical and PWHS home sporting events

Founding Sponsor ($15,000-$24,999)

• Benefits from Champion Sponsor level
• Addition of link to donor listing on CSDEF webpage
• Upgrade 1/4 page ad to 1/2 page full color advertisement in the CSD Spring Newsletter
• Two additional posts on social media (six times per year total)
• Additional live thank you promotion read at sporting events (two per event)
• Additional on-air thank you promotion during CITV game coverage (twice per game)
• Live CSD School Board Meeting Check Presentation and meet and greet
• Small stadium banner at PWHS Colonial Field
• Two additional tickets to the PWHS fall play, PWHS spring musical and PWHS home sporting events (four tickets for each event total)
• Two additional tickets to the CSDEF main event (six total)
• Two additional tickets to attend donor recognition event (six total)

Presenting Sponsor ($25,000+)

• Benefits of the Founding Sponsor level
• Upgrade 1/2 ad to full page color advertisement in the CSD Annual Report and CSD Spring Newsletter
• Six additional posts on social media (12 times per year)
• Two additional Video Bulletin Board ads in gymnasiums (four per rotation total)
• Additional live thank you promotion read at sporting events (three per event)
• 15-second thank you video on CITV
• Upgrade small stadium banner to large stadium banner at PWHS Colonial Field.

• Two additional tickets to the PWHS fall play, PWHS spring musical and PWHS home sporting events (six tickets for each event total)
• Two additional tickets to the CSDEF main event (eight total)
• Two additional tickets to attend donor recognition event (eight total)
• Personalized package to use CSD facility for a private event

Naming rights are available for Major Donors above $25,000.

Annette Swartz
Colonial School District Teacher, retired
Co-President

Jori Broad
Weichert Realtors
Co-President

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Fatima Al Sammak
Student Representative
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School

Janet Dicenzo
Montgomery County Department of Commerce
Retired

Linda Doll
Colonial Resident

Andrew Factor
Investment Advisor — Clearview Financial Partner
PWHS Class of 2005

Allison Greenfield
Executive Search Recruiter
PWHS Class of 2002

Jordyn Goldring
Student Representative
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School 

Denise Marks
Principal
Conshohocken Elementary School

Jack Miskin
Student Representative
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School 

Susan L. Moore
Colonial School District School Board Member
PWHS Class of 1971

David M. Sherman
Community Relations Coordinator
Colonial School District

Suzanne Slattery
Colonial School District Teacher

Rose Williams
Memories Created for You

CSDEF Vision:

A unified and future-ready community that supports high-quality education and takes pride in the Colonial School District

CSDEF Mission:

The CSDEF will build community connections and generate resources for expanding and enriching programs that promote excellence in the Colonial School District.