Sacred Heart of Jesus School is committed to providing an affordable Catholic education for our families. The mission to provide Catholic education to all cannot be done without the kindness and generosity of the community who supports our school by giving of time, talent, and treasure.
Each day our students pray for our benefactors. Please consider becoming a friend of SHS and help us continue to provide our students with quality, affordable Catholic education.
Playground Project
Lancaster's Extraordinary Give: November 22, 2024
If you are able and interested in volunteering to help with our efforts to spread the good news of Sacred Heart School, please contact , Ann Weaver , SHS Development Director (aweaver@sacredheartsch.org) for more information.
We have been blessed with many parents and friends of SHS who have provided services for our school when able. Some examples are the construction of new front steps, donations of time and talent through painting and cleaning, electrical and plumbing work. We are always in need of friends who have talents that can improve our school facilities and enhance our academic program. If you are willing to offer your services, please contact Mrs. Ann Weaver or Mrs. Kathy Alton .
It sounds too good to be true, but it is true! You may qualify for a tax credit that can benefit Catholic education.
In short, in May of 2001, by an overwhelming bi-partisan majority, Pennsylvania’s legislature made history by becoming the first state to pass an education tax credit aimed at PA corporations. In essence, the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) allows qualifying corporations (and individuals through Special Purpose Entities) in Pennsylvania to redirect their Pennsylvania tax dollars to qualifying educational institutions, including SHS School. Eligible businesses and individuals may take a tax credit of up to 90% of the amount they contribute to the scholarship fund.
The Diocese of Harrisburg established the Neumann Scholarship Foundation to receive funds contributed under the EITC. The Neumann Scholarship Foundation provides tuition assistance to schools in the Diocese and, when designated, directly to Sacred Heart Catholic School.
Pennsylvania Income Tax
Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax
Corporate Net Income Tax
Bank Shares Tax
Title Insurance & Trust Company Shares Tax
Insurance Premiums Tax
Mutual Thrift Tax
Malt Beverage Tax
Retaliatory Fees Under Section 212 of the Insurance Law of 1921
You are an Individual or Couple (married filing jointly) that work in Pennsylvania and earn a minimum of $115,000 in state taxable income and owe at least $3,500 in state income taxes
You are a retiree who owns a small business (receive annual K-I form) or works for a business (receive annual W-2 form) and possesses a net worth of at least $1,000,000
Tax Credits may be applied against the tax liability of a participant for the tax year in which the contribution was made. Tax credits equal to 75% of its contribution up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year; can be increased to 90% of the contribution, if business agrees to provide the same amount for two consecutive tax years.
In certain circumstances, the net effect of the EITC tax credit is a dollar for dollar reduction in PA tax obligations – this makes the contribution to Sacred Heart School a “costless” program for the participant!!
Submit online EITC application at dced.pa.gov/eitc. Please note the Application Type as SO (Scholarship Organization).
Once approved, business receives DCED acceptance letter.
Business has 60 days to submit check to Neumann Scholarship Foundation at the Diocese of Harrisburg (memo line – “Designated to Sacred Heart School”). Business has additional 30 days to submit copy of Receipt of Contribution to DCED.
For the complete business guidelines, please click here.
Pennsylvania businesses must file their applications electronically for EITC credits through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) single online application system.
For additional information, please review the PA DCED’s EITC Program Overview.
But Hurry! Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis by day submitted on July 1st. All applications received on a specific day will be processed on a random basis before moving on to the next day’s applications. Applications will be approved until the amount of available tax credits is exhausted.
Submit a Joinder Agreement to become an accredited member of a Special Purpose Entity (SPE), indicating the amount of the capital contribution and designating a school. Currently, the Diocese of Harrisburg works with The Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund (pennsylvaniaeitc.org) which is free and issues 100% of your funds to the school of your choice (Sacred Heart School). There is no deadline to submit a Joinder Agreement.
Once approved, the individual has 60 days from the award letter date to make payment. The SPE will then claim the tax credits for you.
The tax credits are passed through to you on an individual federal and Pennsylvania K-1 tax form each February to go with your individual PA 40 tax form and claim your Pennsylvania Tax refund. The federal K-1 form lists your federal donation deduction for your individual tax return.
Each year, generous sponsors donate $500 to enhance the learning environment of a particular classroom or subject area. Those dollars are used by faculty to improve the student classroom in a manner which will directly benefit the students’ experience. If there is a subject matter (i.e. Music, Library, Physical Education) or grade level that is of particular interest to you, please consider becoming a HANDS sponsor. To explore the program further, please contact Ann Weaver.
Each year we conduct a lottery raffle fundraiser to benefit out Technology Fund. The lottery runs the whole month of February. Each day's winning number mirrors the PA Evening Lottery winning number.
This fund exists to help SHS families who are financially struggling with meeting their tuition obligation. The current size of the fund is dwarfed by the financial needs of our students. We welcome you to assist SHS families in need, contact Ann Weaver.
The IHM Endowment was created to celebrate the IHM Sisters’ 100 years of service and dedication to the Sacred Heart School. The Endowment was a surprise gift in their honor presented by a committee comprised of faculty, parents, alumni and Father Messner. The committee raised the funds for the initial endowment and then held a beautiful reception at which they presented the surprise to the IHM sisters. This endowment was created in 2010 and funds continue to be generated to secure the sustainability of the school’s existence.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the IHM Endowment Fund, please contact Ann Weaver. Your gift will undoubtedly benefit future generations of Sacred Heart School students and families.
Please write checks to Sacred Heart School, 235 Nevin Street, Lancaster PA 17603 and designate IHM Endowment Fund (in the memo).
You will receive a thank you letter which will serve as your document for tax purposes.
We are grateful for your consideration of the IHM Endowment Fund. Since the IHM Endowment Fund is truly focused on leaving a legacy, you may also consider leaving a legacy by naming the IHM Endowment Fund as a beneficiary in your will.