Growing Giving
For Jacob Lerman ( Class of 2012 ), returning to visit Falk Laboratory School in the fall of 2023 was a powerful experience .
In addition to walking the same halls he last passed through more than a decade earlier , Lerman had the chance to reconnect with social studies teacher Greg Wittig and science teacher Eileen Coughlin , both of whom had made a lasting impression on him .
But the most powerful reconnection Lerman made was with Donna Priore , a longtime Falk educator who retired in 2020 . The two had worked closely during Lerman ’ s time at Falk , and it was her personal interest in Lerman and others that led to the establishment of the Donna Priore Fund for Support of Special Needs Students to provide enduring support for training faculty and staff on topics relating to teaching students with special needs .
The Lerman family is among Falk ’ s longest and most consistent contributors . And it was Terry Lerman , Jacob ’ s father , who in 2009 introduced Falk to the untapped potential of corporate giving through Pennsylvania ’ s Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs . These programs allow Pennsylvania companies to make gifts to Falk and reduce their tax burden in the process .
Since Falk began participating in these tax credit programs in 2009 , annual gifts have grown from $ 23,000 to $ 160,000 .
“ We hope to grow it more each year ,” says Laurie Hess , Falk ’ s manager of constituent relations .
She adds that this form of support is especially meaningful because all the funds given through these programs provide tuition assistance to families who might otherwise be unable to afford a Falk education .
“ Falk is such a wonderful school that it deserves our support ,” says Terry Lerman . ■
Eligible businesses can earn tax credits by donating to Falk ’ s scholarship program through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit ( EITC ) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit ( OSTC ) Programs , which are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development ( DCED ). Businesses interested in participating must apply using the DCED ’ s Single Application for Assistance .
FALK LABORATORY SCHOOL | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH 35