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BLOCS Gala 2026 Celebrating 25 Years of EITC Scholarships in Pennsylvania
Collaborative philanthropy transforms students' lives by expanding access to high-quality education despite financial restraints.
BLOCS, Pennsylvania’s leading scholarship organization dedicated to the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC), and the sole administrator of the Economically Disadvantaged Schools (EDS) program, hosted its annual Gala on May 7, 2026, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.
The event began with an invocation by His Excellency Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia.
This year’s Gala marks a milestone – 25 years of EITC-enabled opportunities for students across Pennsylvania. “Twenty-five years ago, the state of Pennsylvania officially recognized the need for EITC to bring financial resolve to schools and students. We are proud to celebrate a quarter century of educational opportunities for every child, regardless of region, ZIP code, or financial barriers,” said Rob Delany, BLOCS CEO. “Together we are investing in communities that empower students to thrive, and we are focusing on building what matters most—the children.”
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Highlights of the 2026 BLOCS Gala included
- A celebration of 25 years of EITC, with stories from students, families, and schools whose lives have been transformed by BLOCS-supported scholarships.
- Recognition of partner schools, donors, and volunteers whose commitment sustains the mission of educational equity.
- A look at BLOCS’ pioneering programs, including the Economically Disadvantaged Schools (EDS) initiative, and the ongoing expansion of pathway opportunities for students across the Commonwealth.
- Student-led initiatives and the critical role donors play in accelerating educational outcomes that endure beyond graduation.
BLOCS is the scholarship organization dedicated to raising need-based scholarships through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. As an independent charitable organization BLOCS provides access to high-quality, value-based education for children ages Pre-K through 12th grade across the state of Pennsylvania. Through the generosity of its donors, BLOCS partners with over 500 schools to provide over 33,000 need-based scholarships. More can be found at www.blocs.org.