BB&T may be headquartered in North Carolina, but its philanthropy knows no bounds.

The bank, which has 17 branches in Montgomery County, has a strong commitment to assist students working hard in the classroom to achieve their goals. And the evidence can be found in the more than $300,000 it donated in 2017 to a number of educational organizations throughout the Greater Delaware Valley through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit.

As a result, not only is BB&T providing the capital and counsel that foster business investment and economic growth and helping businesses and individuals realize their dreams. It’s also expanding educational opportunities for local students. In 2001, Pennsylvania became the first state to pass an education tax credit aimed at corporations and businesses. The EITC program enables eligible businesses to gift up to $750,000 of its state tax dollars directly to scholarship organizations (including pre-kindergarten) and educational improvement organizations.

“BB&T is committed to helping the communities we serve in impactful ways, such as supporting solid education for our neighbors,” said Scott V. Fainor, Group Executive at BB&T. “BB&T is proud to join these organizations in helping to build stronger communities.”

Last year alone, BB&T donated to the following 18 organizations in Montco:

• Hatboro Horsham Educational Foundation
• Children’s Jubilee Fund
• Clarke Pennsylvania, Inc.
• Junior Achievement Southeastern PA
• Gwynedd Mercy Academy
• Day Care Association of Montgomery County
• National Audubon Society
• Quaker School at Horsham
• Ken-Crest Services
• ACLAMO Family Centers
• Center School
• Learn & Play, Inc.
• North Penn School District Educational Foundation
• The Meadowbrook School
• North Penn Valley Boys & Girls Club
• Outdoor School in Horsham /College Settlement
• Foundation for Lower Moreland Schools
• Upper Dublin Educational Foundation

Last week, Mike Rainone, the Market President of the BB&T cluster in Montgomery and Bucks counties, visited Keith Valley Middle School in the Hatboro-Horsham School District to present a check to the Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation.

The money is used to support a variety of distinctive programs, including a MakerSpace at Keith Valley Middle School.

“Our organization plays the role of funding innovative programs that are beyond the district’s capacity,” said Stephanie Yoder, the Executive Director of the Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation. “And the MakerSpace is an example of that. It’s where students can explore cutting-edge technologies. It has high-speed computers, 3D printers, and virtual-reality equipment.”

“Sometimes you tend to lose sight of how much organizations depend on outside funding to run programs and enhance the lives of students,” said Rainone. “It’s always refreshing to see how the students benefit from the funds that businesses like ours donate.”