EQT Makes $85,000 Contribution to EIO Fund

Last Updated on Monday, 28 March 2016 19:35

Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) Allocations & Programs Coordinator Amy Shope recently accepted an $85,000 contribution in support of the EIO Fund from EQT Corporation. The gift was presented by Stephanie Paluda, EQT Community Advisor, and Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation Manager.

WCCF Allocations & Programs Coordinator Amy Shope is flanked by EQT Community Advisor Stephanie Paluda (left) and EQT Foundation Manager Ellen Rossi (right)

The EIO Fund, which awards grants to innovative programs at local public schools, is one of three pass-through funds created by the WCCF to accept Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program contributions.

EQT Corporation is an integrated energy company, headquartered in Pittsburgh, and one of the leading natural gas producers in Washington County. The company is committed to meeting the country’s growing demand for clean-burning energy, while supporting programs that enrich the communities where EQT operates, helping them be even better places for community members to live and work.

EQT was the Foundation’s first EITC supporter when the program launched in 2006, and the company and its subsidiaries have since made contributions totaling more than $318,000.

“At EQT, we believe strongly in a curriculum that prepares students for rewarding and challenging careers and EQT takes great pride in its support of local opportunities for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education,” Paluda said. “It’s a long-held belief that our nation’s future economic prosperity is closely linked with student success in these fields and the EQT-sponsored EIO Fund grants will help provide new and engaging learning experiences for many curious young minds.”

Thanks to the generous contributions of corporate sponsors including, Allegheny Technologies, CONSOL Energy, EQT Corporation, FTS International, Northwest Savings Bank, and Washington Financial, the WCCF has cumulatively awarded a grand total of more than $775,000 in EIO Fund grants to public schools across the county.

A 501(c) (3) charitable corporation, the WCCF has approximately $18 million in assets and has distributed more than $5.3 million in charitable grants in six broad categories of arts and humanities, education, environment and animal welfare, health and fitness, human needs, and religion and faith-based programs.