Friends of Mount Moriah Christian School-

Did you know that as a PA State taxpayer, you can directly support Christian Education in Fayette County by transforming your tax dollars into a gift to the Mount Moriah Christian School (MMCS). Yes, it's true! The PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program lets YOU choose where your state tax dollars go.  Individuals and businesses can choose to have their tax dollars support private faith based education programs while also receiving substantial tax benefits. When you make a gift through the EITC program, you get 90% of your gift back as a tax credit on your state taxes. 

For example, if your PA State tax liability is $500, you can donate that $500 direct to MMCS through our partner foundation and at tax time receive a 90% credit for that donation or $450 back reducing your tax liability to just $50. This is a great opportunity to have your PA State Tax dollars used for Kingdom purposes.   

If you've already heard enough and want to support MMCS and participate in the 2025 EITC program, we ask that you complete a Joinder Agreement online (takes less than 5 minutes) using the following link. Also please note, MMCS has enlisted the PennGift Foundation as our partner who will be handling the school's EITC donations and ensuring each donor receives the appropriate tax credits.  

***   Complete Your Joinder at This Link:   Penngift 2025 Fall Joinder  ***

Helpful Instructions for Completing the Joinder

Joinder Completion:

• Click the link above or link button below to complete and submit your Joinder.
• Make sure to download & print your completed joinder and keep it for your records.
• Keep the confirmation email you will receive after submitting your Joinder.

Timing:

• Once tax credits are made available by the state, you will receive an email from the Penngift Foundation requesting payment for your donation. Why PennGift and not MMCS? As explained above, MMCS has enlisted the Penngift Foundation as our partner for this project who works directly with the state to ensure each donor receives their tax credits.   
• Donations can only be accepted AFTER you receive the email request and within the program's designated contribution window.  

VERY IMPORTANT:  When completing your Joinder form please make sure you list "MOUNT MORIAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL" as the RECIPIENT SCHOOL for your CONTRIBUTION.  

Additional information ...

Additional information related to the program, The Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program continues to offer a great way to support MMCS while receiving valuable tax benefits.  These tax credit programs transform your tax dollars into scholarships for kids. The program works by reducing taxes paid to the state by individuals and businesses when they contribute those tax dollars to organizations like MMCS.  

Q: WHO CAN GIVE?

Any individual, couple, or business that pays eligible PA Personal Income Tax. Several other taxes qualify (such as Corporate Income, Bank Shares, Insurance Premium Tax, etc.). A complete list of taxes that qualify can be provided upon request.

Q: HOW MUCH CAN I GIVE?

You can donate as much as you or your business pays in eligible taxes to Pennsylvania. You can give less but not more than your total PA State Tax liability to receive the 90% tax credit. The minimum donation is $500.

Q: HOW DO I FIND OUT HOW MUCH I WILL BE PAYING IN TAXES THIS YEAR?

To find out how much your taxes will be: (1) consult with an accountant (2) check your pay stub if you are a salaried employee and project the taxes you will have paid by year's end (3) estimate your yearly gross income and multiply that amount by .0307 (PA income tax rate) or (4) look at last year's PA-40 return and make an estimate on taxes based on that figure. If you and your spouse file jointly, add both incomes.

Q: WHO SIGNS THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS?

For individual donors, the person making the donation (and spouses for joint filers) will need to sign a one-page document called a "Joinder." For businesses, the person authorized to make the donation will sign the Joinder. Donors contribute to MMCS by joining an SPE (Special Purpose Entity) such as PennGift Foundation. 

Q: HOW DO I RECEIVE THE TAX CREDIT?

When filing your PA-40, you or your accountant will attach the K-1 form that the PennGift Foundation's accountants will send you this February following your donation. You will then need to submit a PA Schedule OC (Other Credits) which is available on the PA Dept. of Revenue's website or from the PennGift Foundation on behalf of MMCS. If you donate as a business, you will be eligible to apply your tax credit in your quarterly filings to reduce the amount you owe until the tax credit is fully realized. The PennGift Foundation will provide you with a letter of proof that you made the donation. If you donate as an individual, you can elect to receive your refund by check or by direct deposit. 

Q: HOW MUCH WILL MY TAX CREDIT BE?

The tax credit amount is 90% of the amount you donate. For instance, if you donate $500, the tax credit will be $450. The "cost" to donate $500 is only $50 once you receive your refund and that $50 can be used as a deduction on your Federal taxes.  

Q: HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

To participate, you will simply fill out the one-page Joinder form via the link provided on this page. Then once contacted by the PennGift Foundation, make your donation. PennGift will send a formal letter of acknowledgement to you as a donor to MMCS. Then in February, all donors will receive official documentation of their donation (called a PA K-1) from the Foundation's CPA firm. When you file your taxes, include the K-1 along with the schedule OC (other Credits). 

Your generosity makes a direct impact on the students at MMCS, providing resources for academic enrichment, extracurricular opportunities, and more. By completing your Joinder form today, you help us plan effectively for the remainder of the year. Reserve your tax credit today by submitting your Joinder online (see link above). For assistance with the EITC program, please contact Rich Ellsworth (MMCS Executive Director)  at rellsworth@mymoriah.org or (724) 569-4890.  

Thank you for your help in making Christian education possible for students in Fayette County.  Lastly, we understand there is a cost associated of both time and money for you to help in this way but in relationship to what can be accomplished for Christ, we're hoping and praying it's a price you're willing to pay. God bless you, thanks for listening and loving on MMCS!

In Christ,

Rich Ellsworth

Executive Director

Mount Moriah Christian School