2025 Appeal
We're kicking off the New Year with our 2025 Appeal! Donate Today!
Are you ready for tax season? The students at Widener University are but they need your help!
For the third year, The Elsie Foundation is granting its Financial Literacy Award to Widener University so it can once again open an office for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinic in the Chester, PA community (the only VITA site in Chester). The Community Action Agency of Delaware County is the organization that operates the tax clinic. Widener students, with faculty supervision, participate by interviewing clients and preparing/filing their returns. This tax season, they are aiming for a 24% increase in returns filed over last year. They hope to achieve this goal with 10 IRS-certified student preparers working 660 hours over 55 days.
The stipends that students receive, funded by this Award, are critical to their success. It allows them to forgo other paid employment and dedicate the time to this program. Seniors also receive internship credits. Last year, 5 students worked 441 hours. This year, we need funding for 10!
Please help us meet our funding goal of $7,100!
Every dollar you give goes directly towards our mission. All administrative costs are covered by other resources. Help the fundraising effort 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
2024 & 2023 VITA Tax Clinic
The Foundation's Financial Literacy Award funded the VITA tax clinic at Widener University for the last two tax seasons. In January, students earn their tax preparer certifications after rigorous training. Through April 15th, they work in the tax clinic on campus, helping eligible Chester residents prepare and file their income tax returns.
- Five students worked 441.5 hours in 2024. That's 3 more students than in 2023!
- Three seniors earned internship credit.
- A whopping 209 returns were filed in 2024, up from 130 in 2023!
- In 2024, 98 Chester residents were helped; 58 were assisted in 2023.
Mesoma & Ayon - Fall 2024
Mesoma is a freshman majoring in business analytics with a finance minor. Since middle school, her plan has been to become a lawyer but for now, she's focused on her current studies at Widener. In addition to securing a technology grant for herself, Mesoma advocated for another freshman, Ayon, to receive a grant too. Through the generosity of donors like you, The Elsie Project was able to award two grants in November.
Arielys - Fall 2022
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
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
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 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 and Financial Literacy Award 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!
