Independent Banker - July 2023 - 75

Next: Embedding innovation to support rising talent 
education in the bank's local areas.
" EITC donations represent a
combination of tax dollars matched
with a 10% contribution made
by the bank, " says Kunkel. " We
also participate in the associated
Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit
Program [OSTC], which provides
scholarships for students to receive
special education at eligible K-12
private and charter schools. "
How did the bank initially get
involved in EITC? " We are always
looking for ways in which we can
expand, deepen or strengthen our
impact in the communities we serve, "
Kunkel says. " When we learned of the
opportunity that the EITC and OSTC
programs provide, we wasted no time
getting involved. To know that our tax
dollars can be directed toward local
programs that benefit area children is
something that we are very proud and
very grateful to be a part of. "
Funding community causes
Some of the more recent programs
that Tompkins Community Bank has
supported include the Olivet Boys
& Girls Club and the Girl Scouts of
Eastern Pennsylvania.
Another is the Settlement Music
School, one of the nation's oldest and
largest community schools, which
provides education in music, dance
and the creative arts. By supplying
financial aid to more than 60% of
its student population, the school
can ensure that arts education is
accessible to all.
Tompkins also supports Elmwood
Park Zoo in Norristown, Pa., which
is almost a century old. Its parent
company's mission is to foster an
appreciation for wildlife and an
environment that will inspire active
participation in conservation.
The community bank's EITC funds
also go toward the St. Joseph Center
for Special Learning, Inc. " The
Educational Improvement Tax Credit
program has been a game changer
for St. Joseph Center for Special
Learning, " says Monica Walborn,
director of development for the
school. " Over 75% of our students at
SJC rely on scholarships to be able
to attend our school. Many parents
have the desire for their children
to attend St. Joseph Center for
Special Learning but cannot afford
the tuition. Donations to the EITC
program allow them to do so and
support those students and families
that need it most. "
Long-term plans for giving
Given the history of success for the
program, Tompkins Community Bank
doesn't plan on stopping anytime
soon. " We have participated in the
EITC program since long before I
became the Pennsylvania market
president, and it is my intention
to continue our participation long
into the future, " says Kunkel. " The
program is perfectly aligned with
our commitment to give back to
our community and provides us the
incredible opportunity each year to
support myriad children's programs
in all areas, from music to art to
STEM and special education. "
Not only do the bank's EITC
donations benefit youth-related
organizations; they also help
Tompkins fulfill its mission to
serve its community. " Tompkins
places a high value on community
engagement and service, " Kunkel
says. " It is a core tenet of the bank's
guiding principles and a central part
of the work we do each day. "
Tompkins recognizes and
appreciates the impact it has on its
served communities and the bank
itself. " As a community bank, we have
the unique privilege of living where
we work, and we take pride in our
responsibility to align our corporate
efforts with community needs, "
says Kunkel. " Participating in this
program has helped us to expand
our efforts in this area, reaching
more organizations across our
community each year and ensuring
we're able to help support the leaders
of tomorrow. " 
William Atkinson is a writer in Illinois.
" To know that our tax dollars can be directed
toward local programs that benefit area children
is something that we are very proud and very
grateful to be a part of. "
-GINGER KUNKEL,
TOMPKINS COMMUNITY BANK
independentbanker.org // 75
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Independent Banker - July 2023

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