Highmark diversified business companies provide nearly $2.1 million in support of educational programs across Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Highmark Health Services' diversified business companies Davis Vision, Inc., Gateway Health Plan, Inc., HM Insurance Group, Keystone Health Plan West Inc. and United Concordia Dental, provided nearly $2.1 million in grants to support organizations that are committed to disseminating educational and scholarship programs for youth across Pennsylvania.

The grants, which are funded through Highmark's diversified business companies participating in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC), are part of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. In 2013, Highmark and its diversified business companies granted funding to 123 organizations, with $250,000 allotted for educational improvement, $1.13 million for scholarship programs and $712,000 for pre-kindergarten scholarships.

The EITC program is available to Pennsylvania businesses that pay any one of six specific taxes by submitting an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development in a request to provide grants to the eligible organizations of their choice. In 2012, Highmark paid $51.6 million in Pennsylvania state taxes, including $5 million in local and county property tax. For a list of this year's benefitting organizations, please click here.

"Highmark is always looking for ways to make the communities it serves stronger and healthier," said Dan Onorato, Highmark executive vice president, external affairs and communications. "The EITC program enables organizations to carry out innovative programs and carefully distribute funds where there is the greatest need, providing scholarship and advanced academic opportunities for children who otherwise may not have access to these resources."

SOURCE Highmark