Today (and every day) we celebrate you, Step Up donors
By JUDITH THOMAS
Today, Step Up For Students celebrates National Philanthropy Day. We want to thank all those who have donated and supported our efforts throughout the years. You’ve helped us change the face of education in Florida. Because of your valuable support, we’re changing our community every day.
How? The numbers tell the story.
- More than 136,000 students use Step Up For Students scholarships this school year.
- Since 2001, more than 784,000 Florida Tax Credit Scholarships have been awarded.
- Five education choice programs are available through Step Up.
- More than 1,800 private schools partner with Step Up.
All of this is possible because of our donors and supporters like you. Thank you!
National Philanthropy Day recognizes and pays tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy makes. Step Up especially wants to recognize the people who are active in the philanthropic community and the difference their contribution makes in our lives, our communities and our world – to our scholars and their families.
When National Philanthropy Day was first celebrated in 1986, according to the Association of Fundraising Professionals, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation officially recognizing Nov. 15, 1986, as the commemorative day.
Here at Step Up, we’re thankful for our supporters every day! Without you, none of this would be possible.
Happy National Philanthropy Day!
Judith Thomas, Step Up For Students social media manager, can be reached at jthomas@suf.org.
American Income Life donates $25,000 to Step Up For Students Scholarship Program
By PAUL SOOST
American Income Life, a provider of life, accident and supplemental health insurance, announced on June 25 a $25,000 contribution to Step Up For Students, helping lower-income children attend the K-12 school that best fits their learning needs. The contribution will fund three scholarships for the 2018-19 school year.
This is the first time that American Income has partnered with Step Up For Students, a nonprofit organization that helps manage the income-based Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. The program is funded by corporations with tax-credited donations.
American Income Life presents Step Up For Students with a contribution of $25,000 which will fund three scholarships for lower-income Florida schoolchildren to attend the school of their choice through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Pictured are (left to right) Steve Greer, chief executive officer, AIL/NILICO Agency Division, David Bryant, Step Up For Students development officer, and David Zolphin, president, AIL/NILICO Agency Division
“American Income Life takes an active role in giving back to the community, in places we live, work and visit. We’re proud to partner with Step Up For Students and to help shape the lives of children through educational opportunities,” said Chief Executive Officer, AIL Agency Division Steve Greer. “Supporting Step Up’s mission will help develop future leaders in our communities and we’re excited to be involved.”
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program for financially disadvantaged schoolchildren allows parents and schoolchildren to choose between a K-12 scholarship that helps with private school tuition and fees, or one that assists with transportation costs to out-of-county public schools.
“We are thrilled that American Income Life has joined us in our efforts to provide educational options for lower-income families in Florida,” said Doug Tuthill, president of Step Up For Students. “We are grateful for their generosity, and to its employees’ efforts to improve the lives of people living in their communities.”
For the 2017-18 school year, Step Up For Students served more than 100,000 students throughout Florida with tuition scholarships valued at up to $6,343 per student for kindergarten through fifth grade, $6,631 for sixth through eighth grade, and $6,920 for ninth through 12th grade. More than 1,800 private schools participate in the scholarship program statewide.
Paul Soost can be reached at psoost@sufs.org.
Thank you, donors!
After filling the 2015-16 program cap of $447 million in just seven months, Step Up For Students is grateful to receive enthusiastic support toward the 2016-17 cap of $559 million. Many companies have reserved their 2016-17 tax credits. As of February 15, tax-credit reservations to Step Up For Students totaled $135 million. These commitments accentuate the corporate community’s desire to provide a personalized education to Florida’s underprivileged students.
It is with grateful appreciation that Step Up For Students recognizes corporations that have demonstrated a new or renewed commitment to Step Up. (Jan. 1 – Feb. 15):
2015 Donors
Sonic, America’s Drive-In
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
2016 Donors
Ace American Insurance Company and Affiliates
Axiom Bank
BAC Florida Bank
Brown & Brown, Inc.
Centric Group, LLC
Covanta
Dairyland Auto Insurance
Daytona Beverages, LLC
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Euler Hermes North America Insurance Company
FCCI
FineMark National Bank & Trust
Florida Distributing Company
Florida Public Utilities Company
Gap, Inc.
Gold Coast Beverage, LLC
Humana Inc.
IBERIABANK
Installed Building Products
Johnson Brothers Liquor Co. of Florida, Inc.
Parker Hannifin Corporation
ProAssurance
Republic National Distributing Company, L.L.C.
Rosen Hotels & Resorts
RPD Management DBA Intuition Ale Works
Safepoint Insurance Company
Senior Health Insurance Company of Pennsylvania
The Bank of Tampa
The Container Store
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
The Lewis Bear Company
Uretek Holdings, Inc.
Value Pawn an EZCORP Company
Waste Management
Westcor Land Title Insurance Company
Westfield Insurance
