Keystone Central Foundation recognizes donors, announces new “giving society”

PublisherDecember 14, 2022Last Updated: December 14, 2022

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MILL HALL, PA – Tuesday night was a special one for the Keystone Central Foundation. Foundation contributors and board members gathered to celebrate the organization’s donors and announce a new “Friends of the Foundation Giving Society.”

The event included the presentation of a check for $56,000, funds derived from the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. As explained by Foundation executive director Melissa Bottorf, the EITC program is a way for Pennsylvania-based businesses to apply for a special tax incentive through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. The Keystone Central Foundation is the only organization approved as an educational organization in Clinton County. Therefore, qualifying businesses who donate to the foundation receive a 70% tax credit in year one and a 90% tax credit in year two.

Keystone Foundation President Wayne Alllison, left, learns about new foundation-provided learning gear from Central Mountain Middle School librarian Morgan Fogel.

The larger donations allowed the foundation to fund special equipment and furniture at the middle school and Renovo Elementary to create a state-of-the art learning environment for students, a program called Makerspaces. Middle School librarian Morgan Fogel offered event attendees a tour of the school in rooms featuring the new equipment.

The foundation has donated over $50,000 in EITC funds to this project, plus additional funds to cover AP testing at CMHS and Bucktail.

Bottorf said Woodlands Bank donated $13,000 through the program in 2022. Other donors this year included First National Bank ($4,250), FCCB ($2,000), UPMC ($2,000) and Weis Markets ($1,500).

The foundation’s Friends of the Foundation Giving Society is a new program developed earlier this year to recognize consistent donors who see the value in investing in the local students, whether through scholarships, fundraisers, general funds, special projects, or the Keystone Scholars Program. Bottorf said those who donate a minimum of $200 per year can be included. “Every community donation makes an impact for our students, and we want our Giving Society to reflect all those giving levels.”