WEST CHESTER, PA — Through its involvement in the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, Fred Beans Automotive Group has contributed $250,000 to local organizations that provide scholarships, educational services and innovative school programs. At the end of 2022, the company selected 16 different recipients to receive donations ranging from $10,000 to $40,000.
“We annually participate in the EITC Program to further our support of the communities where we operate and where our employees and customers live,” said Beth Beans Gilbert, vice president of the Fred Beans Automotive Group. “We appreciate the opportunity to give back to organizations that meet a wide range of educational needs and promote the success and vitality of not only those they serve, but the region as a whole.”
The YMCA of Bucks County annually uses EITC funding from Beans for academic enrichment programs that serve school-age children from low to moderate-income families. The Bucks County Free Library applies its funding from Beans to a Summer Quest program that keeps children and families engaged in reading and learning all summer long. Participants receive reading logs and earn badges for completing reading challenges, expenses offset by the Beans donation.
The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, another repeat beneficiary, uses Fred Beans EITC funds to educate students in grades 4-12 on the events of 9/11 and specifically about the 40 passengers and crew members aboard United Flight 93. Schools apply for a scholarship to take students to the memorial. According to Executive Director Donna Gibson, through the support of businesses like Fred Beans, the Friends of Flight 93 partnered with the National Park Service last year to educate more than 10,000 Pennsylvania students, helping them understand the historical events of 9/11.
Kelly Krumenacker, president and executive director of the Bucks County Children’s Museum, also noted the impact EITC funding has had on expanding the reach of her organization’s programming.
“Last year, more than 800 local school children participated in the museum’s educational field trip program or visited the museum through admission assistance programs,” Krumenacker said. “This year, we expect that number to increase significantly. Thanks to generous support from the Fred Beans Automotive Group, the museum will be able to keep these vital programs in place through 2023 and meet the increasing need in the community.”
“We aim to impact learners of all ages through our donations,” added Beans Gilbert. “Last year, I was honored to meet many of the high school students enrolled in an AP course at the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, which our company helps support with EITC funds. After I delivered a graduation address, I talked with the brilliant young scientists who benefit from this unique partnership between the Hepatitis B Foundation’s Institute and the Central Bucks School District. It reaffirmed how empowering education is and why our participation in the EITC Program is such a positive, worthwhile endeavor.”
Through the EITC Program, the Fred Beans Automotive Group recently contributed to the following organizations to support scholarships and programming:
2022 Recipients
- Hepatitis B Foundation, $40,000
- Council Rock Education Foundation, $25,000
- Mercer Museum, $25,000
- Bucks County Community College Foundation, $20,000
- Bucks County Free Library, $20,000
- The Pennsbury Society/Pennsbury Manor, $20,000
- Bucks County Audubon Society, $10,000
- Bucks County Children’s Museum, $10,000
- Bucks County Playhouse, $10,000
- Chester County History Center, $10,000
- Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, $10,000
- Heritage Conservancy, $10,000
- New Hope Solebury Education Fund, $10,000
- Pennsbury Education Foundation, $10,000
- West Chester Library, $10,000
- YMCA of Bucks County, $10,000
The Fred Beans Automotive Group has participated in the EITC Program annually since 2011, contributing $2.5 million to date to the community.
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