Turning Tax Dollars Into Transformation

How the Tabery family discovered a simple way to redirect their PA state taxes — and earn a 90% credit doing it.

When Jeff Tabery's daughter Paige started at Mount Saint Joseph Academy as a freshman last year, he knew he wanted to support her school. As President of D'Lauro & Rodgers, Inc., a general contracting company, Jeff pays significant state taxes each year. What he didn't know was that those tax dollars could directly benefit the Mount — until his financial advisor wouldn't let it drop.

"He was relentless"

"Our financial advisor, Vaughn Schill from MAI Capital Management, kept pushing the envelope," Jeff recalls with a laugh. "He does EITC with his own kids' school, and he was relentless: 'You gotta do it, you gotta do it.' Once Paige came to the Mount, he wouldn't let up. It was right before Thanksgiving last year when he finally got us on an intro call."

Jeff expected bureaucracy and delays. Instead, the process was remarkably straightforward. "Within a week, we had the forms completed and everything submitted. Even Vaughn was surprised by how efficiently it moved. He stayed involved throughout, making sure we didn't miss any details. When you realize you can direct your tax dollars exactly where you want them to go and receive the tax credit in return, the decision becomes obvious."

And while Vaughn helped move things along, Jeff is quick to note that you don't need a financial advisor to participate. "It's honestly simple enough for anyone," he says. "The application is short, the steps are clear, and once you understand that you can direct your own personal or business tax liability to the Mount, it just clicks."

How it actually works

The concept is straightforward: Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program allows businesses or individuals to redirect their state tax liability to scholarship organizations supporting schools like the Mount. Instead of sending money to Harrisburg, Jeff's company can direct those same dollars to help Mount families afford tuition — and receive a 90% tax credit in return. The process is designed to be quick, accessible, and easy to complete, so any taxpayer with a tax liability in Pennsylvania can participate.

"It's a win-win-win. The tax credit money goes back to the school, families get scholarship support, and we get the credit."

"If you're paying more than $10,000 or $15,000 in state taxes, it makes sense to redirect those funds to the Mount," Jeff explains.

Why the Mount, specifically

For Jeff and his wife Colleen, both Catholic University graduates, the decision to send Paige to the Mount was about more than just academics — it was also about empowering and cultivating future female leaders. Colleen flourished in the all-girls Catholic environment at Nazareth Academy, while Jeff attended public school. They saw the Mount as the right fit for their daughter as she navigated the transition from elementary to high school.

Since arriving at the Mount, Paige has thrived. "She's been more confident than ever," Jeff says proudly. "She's loving it." Watching his daughter flourish has only reinforced his commitment to ensuring other families can access the same life-changing experience.

Jeff is already spreading the word about EITC to fellow business owners and friends in the Mount community and beyond. "Anyone paying significant state taxes should know about this program," he says. "It's one of the most impactful decisions we've made — our tax dollars stay right here, supporting families who want their daughters to have the Mount experience."

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What is EITC?

Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program allows businesses and individuals to redirect state tax liability to scholarship organizations supporting schools like the Mount.

How it works:

• Businesses or individuals receive a 90% tax credit (or 75% for one-year commitments)
• Your tax dollars support Mount scholarships instead of going to Harrisburg
• Families gain access to transformative education
• Simple application process through approved scholarship organizations

Interested in learning more? Contact Shannon Thompson Connolly '86, Chief Advancement Officer, at sconnolly@msjacad.org or 215-233-3177 to attend our next EITC webinar.