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Erie Insurance

Erie Insurance awards $900,000 to 24 education nonprofits through Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program

ERIE’s EITC grants will benefit nonprofit-led programs serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students in northwest Pennsylvania

ERIE, Pa., April 4, 2024 – Erie Insurance (ERIE) continues to invest in education and today announced 24 grants totaling nearly $900,000 for nonprofits to help provide and expand educational programs to pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students as part of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.

This year, ERIE’s EITC recipients will provide school readiness and after-school programs, enhance reading and math literacy, and educate youth of all ages in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), finance, business, government and the environment and the arts. The EITC program is a business tax credit program offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that encourages Pennsylvania businesses to support eligible nonprofit organizations.

ERIE has donated more than $11 million through the EITC program since it began in 2001 and has been a top investor in education in the City of Erie and northwest Pennsylvania for decades.

“We are proud to support a variety of community nonprofits that are advancing student success in our region,” said Christine Blashock, ERIE’s chief diversity and community development officer. “It’s partnerships and investments like these that help create a more vibrant community for this and generations to come.”

Lake Erie Arboretum (LEAF) is one of the local nonprofits receiving a grant from ERIE this year. The funding will support tree planting and provide living classrooms for students across several of Erie’s Public Schools campuses.

"This grant will have a transformative impact on our ReLeaf tree planting program,” said Erin Green, LEAF’s executive director. “It will enable us to expand our reach and provide invaluable hands-on environmental education opportunities to students.”

This spring, students from Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary, a United Way Community School, will be involved in a campus wide tree planting project. The ReLeaf program will expand to plant "Tiny Forests" with other schools in the city throughout the year.

“With the support of Erie Insurance, we can cultivate a new generation of environmentally conscious leaders, while fostering a greener, more sustainable community for years to come,” added Green. “Their investment in our program underscores their commitment to education, environmental stewardship, and the well-being of our Erie community.”

Other organizations receiving EITC grants from ERIE in 2024 include: Allegheny College, Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System (ACES), Arts Council of Erie, Asbury Woods, Boys and Girls Club of Erie, Community Country Day School, Early Connections, Erie Art Museum, Erie City Mission, Erie Day School, Erie Center for Arts and Technology, Erie Philharmonic, expERIEnce Children's Museum, Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, Gannon University, Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania, Penn State Behrend, PennWest Edinboro University, The Inner -City Neighborhood Art House, Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center, Young Artist Debut Orchestra and WQLN PBS NPR.