State Representative Valencia Stovall (D-Forest Park) encourages Georgians to support the Innovation Fund Foundation (IFF), which is the philanthropic arm of the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement.

“Georgia’s education system and its supporting organizations are facing unprecedented times due to the pandemic,” said Rep. Stovall. “We must stand to ensure our 1.7 million students are not left behind. As a board member of the Innovation Fund Foundation, I am encouraging Georgians to support and invest in igniting student achievement across the state.”

The IFF invests in innovative partnerships and initiatives that support student achievement in Georgia. The IFF’s main funding source is the Qualified Education Donation Tax Credit (QED). IFF allows individuals and corporations in Georgia to donate to it and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on their state income taxes. In turn, the IFF uses the tax credit dollars to spur innovations in Georgia schools and school districts. The IFF is not affiliated with the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program tax credit.

“Earlier this year, I was honored to support the partnership of the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, which is the philanthropic arms of the Georgia Department of Education,” added Rep. Stovall. “The IFF and the Georgia Foundation for Public Education were able to award $100,000 in COVID-19 Response Fund grants to Georgia districts and schools during the first few months of the pandemic. However, even more funding is needed across the state, especially in our rural areas. The IFF tax credit program is a perfect opportunity to continue supporting student achievement during this difficult time.”

The following districts and schools were awarded COVID-19 Response Fund grants: Lyerly Elementary School, Decatur County School District, International Community Charter School, Campbell Elementary School, Gordon County Schools, Jefferson Academy, Jefferson County Schools, Marietta City Schools, Mitchell County Elementary School, Richmond County School System and White County Schools.

To learn more about the IFF tax credit, please visit www.iffga.org or contact Jaclyn Colona, executive director of the IFF, at [email protected].