We help individuals attain ownership and design their future.
Providing entrepreneurial education, training, and workshops.
Owning and operating a business or enterprise
Developing life and leadership skills
Exposing youth to technology and innovation
About Us
Advancing Youth Initiative
The Advancing Youth Initiative (AYI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship (PHCSE) and Dominus High School to help students discover pathways for lifelong success. As the philanthropic arm of PHCSE and Dominus, AYI operates exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, and seeks to provide free and affordable opportunities to families.
Our mission is to support the health, welfare, and educational interests of PHCSE, Dominus, and other organizations that share our educational values. We believe that every student deserves access to quality education and resources, and our work is crucial to ensure that no student is left behind.
By accepting donations and resources, we can help students reach their full potential and discover the pathways for lifelong success. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of students and families throughout the Pittsburgh region.
Join us in our mission to create a better future for our community. With your help, we can provide the necessary support for our students to succeed and thrive.
What We Do
Program and Initiatives
Adult WorkshopSeries
The Adult Financial Workshop Series is offered to support parents, families and community stakeholders regarding financial wellness, generational wealth and entrepreneurial development. Workshops are offered on a quarterly basis and industry experts host sessions such as Homeownership, Credit Restoration, Business Taxes, Savings and much more.
Soaring Shark Tank PitchCompetition for Youth
The Soaring Shark Tank Pitch Competition is an event that gives 7th & 8th-grade student-innovators across the greater Pittsburgh region the opportunity to showcase their life changing business ideas in front of Sharks (judges) for cash prizes.
The Garden of Entrepreneurship
The Garden of Entrepreneurship is a community garden space where students expand their entrepreneurship learning to a real-life scenario. Through a community garden and Farmers market, students rent out garden spaces to neighbors in the surrounding community, and host farmers markets to sell produce grown at the location.
Meet Our Team
Board of Directors
Lisa Palmeri, PhD
President
Global leader for Co-Creation & Human Centered Design Enablement, Kyndryl Vital
Derrick Tillman
Vice President
Founder & President, Bridging the Gap Development, LLC
Charles Thomas
Treasurer
Retired Engineer, Philips Respironics
Allen Zeolla, AAMS
President & Owner
AZ Financial INC
Wayne Jones, EdD
CEO
Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship
Donate
Many Paths for Giving
Whether you are a business looking to support the future success of youth, an alumni wanting to give back, or a citizen who wants to make a difference, the Advancing Youth Initiative is a 501(c)(3) and accepts gifts in many ways.
Other ways to give
We are approved to receive Educational Improvement Tax Credits (EITC) as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO). EIO contributions support youth entrepreneurship programs at Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship and Dominus High School.
- Pennsylvania’s EITC program is a way for businesses to enrich educational opportunities for students and earn tax credits by donating to an EIO.
- Tax credits equal to 75 percent of its contribution up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year. Can be increased to 90 percent of the contribution, if business agrees to provide same amount for two consecutive tax years. For contributions to Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organizations, a business may receive a tax credit equal to 100 percent of the first $10,000 contributed and up to 90 percent of the remaining amount contributed up to a maximum credit of $200,000 annually.
The Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program provides need-based tuition scholarships to Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship graduates attending a private or parochial high school.
- Students are eligible to receive a scholarship if their household’s annual income is no greater than $108,444 plus $19,088 for each dependent member of the household.
Contact:
Dr. Wayne Jones
wayne.jones@phcharter.org
P: 412-793-6471 ext. 238
Many companies or corporations will match employees’ philanthropic contributions. Check with your employer to see if they offer matching gifts. It is as simple as filling out the company’s matching gift form and sending it to us with your gift.
For information on corporate support and partnerships please contact Dr. Wayne Jones, at 412-793-6471 ext. 238 or wayne.jones@phcharter.org
If you have a donor advised fund, DAF Direct enables you to recommend grants to Advancing Youth Initiative, directly from your DAF (as long as your DAF’s sponsoring organization is participating).
Mentors offer guidance and support to our youth business owners and employees as they develop and grow their life changing ideas. Being a mentor to our scholars is crucial to helping them succeed in the real world. We encourage entrepreneurs and business leaders to visit our school and share their story and career path as a means to inspire.
If you would like to be a mentor or guest speaker please contact:
Terri Williams
terri.williams@phcharter.org
P: 412-793-6471 ext. 225
500+ Students
|
2 Schools
Helping youth attain ownership and design their future.
Your contribution will benefit our mission by providing real-world experiences for our scholars. AYI seeks to generate sponsorships and donations to support the future growth and sustainability of Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship and Dominus High School. For information about partnership opportunities, visit: https://phcharter.org/partnership-opportunities/.
Your gift supports:
$50:
Supplies to support the launch of one student business markup
$500:
A half of a year of intern and consulting services offered
$1,000:
A year of adult financial literacy programs
$5,000:
Development of prototypes and business sustainability efforts for five student business startups
ADVANCING YOUTH INITIATIVE
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