Ways to Give:

Regardless of the size of your contribution or how you decide to give, your effort will make a difference by providing more caring friends and role models for area children.  Our Little Brothers and Sisters experience many positive outcomes as a result of their relationships and friendships with their mentors.  Several examples include having better family and peer relations, being less likely to skip school, and having greater feelings of hope and optimism for their futures.

Click here to donate now!  (You can use a credit card or PayPal account to donate online.)

Or, donate in the following ways:

1. Cash/check – Please make checks payable to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, 1500 N. Second St., Suite H, Harrisburg, PA 17102.  If you would like your gift to be designated for a specific office, please specify this on the check.  Donations made through cash or check are fully deductible for donors who itemize their federal income taxes.  If you would like a tax receipt, please contact Janelle Flanagan, Fund Development Associate at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or 717-236-0199.

2. Bank Account Autowithdrawal – This option allows people a simple and secure way to support Big Brothers Big Sisters without writing a check, and they can do so on a monthly or quarterly basis.  Click here for an autowithdrawal form.  Please print and mail the form with a voided check to Sherri Miller’s attention at our Harrisburg office.  Address is listed above.

3. Corporate Event Sponsor – Click here for more information.

4. United Way Contributor Choice Program – Individuals may support BBBS through the United Way Contributor Choice Program.  Funds donated through the United Way will be used exclusively for agency programs and services.  To make a contribution to the United Way, designate:

5. Corporate/Employer Matching Gift – Many corporations and businesses match gifts made by employees and directors to charitable institutions.  In some instances, they will match gifts made by employee spouses and retired employees as well.  For more information, please contact your company’s human resources department or Maggie Bowley, Vice President of Development at 717-236-0199 x245.  The appropriate person in your HR department would send a form and check directly to our office (1500 N. Second St., Suite H, Harrisburg, PA 17102).

6. Deferred Gift – A deferred gift will allow a donor to make a planned gift to BBBS of the Capital Region over a period of years or as part of estate plans.  By creating a charitable remainder trust or charitable gift annuity, individuals can establish a lasting legacy that will make positive differences in the lives of many children in our area.  For more information about deferred giving, please contact your legal advisor or Maggie Bowley, VP of Development at 717-236-0199 x245.  The “Leave a Legacy” web site is a great resource for more information about deferred giving (www.leavealegacy.org).

7. Stocks/Securities –Regardless of the tax bracket you are in, making a gift of appreciated stock makes sense.  Tax benefits for the donor who has appreciated stocks for more than one year are two-fold: (1) you avoid paying capital gains upon transfer to BBBS and (2) you can receive an income tax charitable deduction for the full market value of the stock on the date of the gift.  Depending upon your tax bracket and the size of the gift, there may be an opportunity to carry over the charitable income tax deduction over several years.

8. Corporate EITC Donations - Now there’s an easier way for the business community to support local education programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) provides large tax breaks for businesses to fund innovative education programs. 

Thru the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC), businesses will receive tax credits equal to 75% of their contribution up to a maximum of $200,000 per taxable year.  If a business commits to donate the same amount for two consecutive years, they will receive credits equal to 90% of their contributions.  Tax credits may be applied against the tax liability of a business for the tax year in which the contribution was made.  Since donations are made to a 501 (c)(3), they are deductible on federal tax returns as well. 

Businesses in Pennsylvania that pay any of the following taxes qualify to participate in the EITC program:

Corporate Net Income Tax
Capital Stock and Franchise Tax
Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax
Title Insurance Companies Shares Tax
Insurance Premiums Tax
Mutual Thrift Institutions Tax

The High School Mentoring Program, a sub-division of the School Based Mentoring Program qualifies Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO).  As an EIO, Big Brothers Big Sisters will use corporate EITC contributions to fund mentoring services in Harrisburg University SciTech High, Harrisburg High School, and Carlisle High School.  Students from these high schools are matched with elementary school students from their respective school districts.  The “Bigs” and “Littles” spend lunch together a few times a month.   

EITC tax credits are given out on a first-come first –serve basis, and once the designated amount is gone, it’s gone, so you should act quickly!  Applications will be accepted starting July 1, 2008.

To apply for EITC eligibility, complete the one page application located in the EITC Business Guidelines online at newpa.com/eitc.  Submit your application via mail, fax, e-mail or in person:
Department of Community and Economic Development
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program
Center for Business Financing – Tax Credit Division
400 North Street, 4th Floor
Commonwealth Keystone Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
Telephone: (717) 787-7120
Fax: (717) 772-3581
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

In 2-3 weeks, if funding is still available, you’ll receive an award letter, allowing your company to give EITC donors to Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

Your company has 60 days from the date your award letter was issued to make a contribution to Big Brothers Big Sister, an approved EIO.

After receiving a contribution, BBBS provides your company with a contribution receipt, which you submit to DCED within 90 days from date of award letter.

Now’s the time to consider registering for the EITC program and secure your EITC tax credits to support Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs.  I you have any further questions, or would like to set up an appointment, please contact our Fund Development Assistant, Janelle Flanagan, at (717) 236-0199 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

For more information about making a stock gift to BBBS of the Capital Region, contact Sherri Miller, Financial Coordinator at 717-236-0199 x232 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

View Our Annual Report

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization under 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.