2024 Appeal
We're starting our Summer Appeal! Donate Today!
This has been a busy year thanks to the generosity of donors like you!
For a second year, your donations to The Elsie Foundation’s Financial Literacy Award funded Widener University’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program supporting the Chester, PA community! Here is direct the impact your donations made:
· 209 income tax returns completed (79 more transmitted over last year)
· 98 Chester residents helped (40 more residents helped this year)
· 5 Widener students earned stipends for the 441.5 hours worked
· 3 Seniors earned internship credit for their work in the tax clinic
Every dollar you give goes directly towards our mission. All administrative costs are covered by other resources. Help the fundraising effort for The Elsie Project and The Financial Literacy Award to change lives, one student and one community at a time. Please, donate now!
Thank you to everyone who has donated to date. Your gift matters. Read on to learn about the students you've helped so far. Together, we are making a difference.
Where your donations go
2023 & 2024 VITA Tax Clinic
2023 & 2024 VITA Tax Clinic
2023 & 2024 VITA Tax Clinic
The Financial Literacy Award funded the VITA tax clinic at Widener University for the 2023 and 2024 tax seasons. Beginning in January, students earned their tax preparer certifications and then worked through April 15, helping Chester residents file their tax returns.
- Number of returns filed: 209 this year; 130 last year
- Number of Chester residents assisted: 98 this year; 58 last year
- Number of students preparers: 5 this year; 2 last year
Arielys - Fall 2022
2023 & 2024 VITA Tax Clinic
2023 & 2024 VITA Tax Clinic
Arielys is a rising Psychology major at Widener University. With an Elsie Project grant, she was able to get a Dell laptop, 24" monitor, wireless keyboard, mouse, HDMI cables, a printer, and a TI-89 calculator to help make it possible to attend college and keep up with her rigorous studies.
William - Winter 2020
2023 & 2024 VITA Tax Clinic
William - Winter 2020
William, a 17-year-old who headed to Millersville University in January 2021, asked for "anything for college" on his Christmas list. The Elsie Project answered the call and purchased him a new laptop to help him on his educational journey.
Joseph - Fall 2020
Princess - Winter 2018
William - Winter 2020
Joseph, seen here as a freshman, was aging out of the foster care system and needed financial help to acquire the technology equipment required for his college education at Widener University. The Elsie Project stepped in to assist.
Princess - Winter 2018
Princess - Winter 2018
Princess - Winter 2018
Princess was first student to receive a technology grant from The Elsie Project. She's pictured here with co-founders, Deb & Jamie McCracken.
Fundraising for The Elsie Project is Underway
Your contributions will enable us to meet our goals of providing new technology equipment and financial literacy education to students and communities in need. Thank you for your support!
