October 5, 2005

Contact: Matthew J. Donofry, Marketing/Communications Coordinator, Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS)

Department of Community and Economic Development
Adds Pre-K EITC Program

Philadelphia, PA - Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) is pleased to announce that the Department of Economic and Community Development has approved BLOCS as a Pre-Kindergarten Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarship organization. Businesses wishing to make contributions through this Pre-Kindergarten program can obtain the guidelines and the one-page application via the BLOCS website (www.BLOCS.org). Please note this application is entirely separate from the existing K-12/EITC scholarship application.

Organizations eligible to receive EITC contributions must be a recognized 501(c)(3) and distribute at least 80% of their annual receipts to eligible students. Additionally, they must register with the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and be placed on a list of eligible Scholarship Organizations. For Contributions to Pre-Kindergarten scholarship organizations a business may receive a tax credit equal to 100% of the first $10,000 contributed and up to 90% of the remaining amount contributed up to a maximum credit of $100,000 annually.

BLOCS encourages interested organizations to complete the one-page application and return it to the BLOCS office. Please do not send the application directly to Harrisburg, as BLOCS will ensure its prompt processing. The EITC program is making a significant difference to many of our families who are struggling to send their children to Catholic school to receive a quality education. It is making Catholic schools an option to families who otherwise could not afford this alternative. Interested companies should contact BLOCS at www.BLOCS.org.

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