Fred Beans Donates $500K To Local Organizations Through EITC Program

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Through its involvement in the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax
Credit (EITC) Program, Fred Beans Automotive Group has contributed $500,000 – double the amount donated last year – to local organizations that provide scholarships, educational services and innovative school programs.

At the end of 2023, the company selected 12 recipients to each receive $25,000 and four recipients to each receive $50,000.

The Hepatitis B Foundation is one of the $50,000 donation recipients. Dr. Chari Cohen, foundation president, said the EITC funding from Fred Beans provides two special learning opportunities for high school students: a countywide summer program at the Blumberg Institute research labs and an AP chemistry class and lab work on campus.

"These excellent programs give students with a passion for science an unequaled hands-on experience,” she emphasized.

Fred Beans Automotive Group has provided long-standing support by earmarking EITC funds for the Bucks Mont Regional National History Day contest, coordinated by the Bucks County Historical Society. “It’s a really creative program that engages hundreds of students locally and reinforces academic standards in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening and history,” said Kyle McKoy, president & CEO of the Bucks County Historical Society. (Kevin Crawford)

“We were able to increase our donation amounts this year after the Pennsylvania Legislature passed and the Governor subsequently approved a $150 million increase for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs,” said Beth Beans Gilbert, vice president of Fred Beans Automotive Group. “We have annually participated in the EITC Program for more than a decade, recognizing the many benefits of directing funds back into the community to specifically support education.”

Michael Celec, executive director of the Bucks County Audubon Society at Honey Hollow, said support from Fred Beans helps instill a greater understanding and love of the environment in hundreds of kids each year.

“Educational programming at Bucks Audubon is designed to teach kids and lead them to develop a lifelong passion for nature and the environment," said Celec. "Learning at Honey Hollow keeps kids active and encourages them to make friends and learn about the environment. We hold field trips and summer camp at our educational center and send teacher naturalists to classrooms and elsewhere in Bucks County and beyond.”

Through the EITC Program, the Fred Beans Automotive Group recently contributed to the following organizations to support scholarships and programming:

2023 Recipients

• Hepatitis B Foundation, $50,000
• Heritage Conservancy, $50,000
• Council Rock Education Foundation, $50,000
• Mercer Museum, $50,000
• Bucks County Audubon Society, $25,000
• Bucks County Children’s Museum, $25,000
• Bucks County Community College Foundation, $25,000
• Bucks County Free Library, $25,000
• Bucks County Playhouse, $25,000
• Chester County History Center, $25,000
• Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, $25,000
• New Hope-Solebury Education Fund, $25,000
• Pennsbury Education Foundation, $25,000
• The Pennsbury Society/Pennsbury Manor, $25,000
• YMCA of Bucks County, $25,000
• West Chester Library, $25,000

The Fred Beans Automotive Group has participated in the EITC Program annually since 2011, contributing $3 million to the community.