Opinion: The call for PILOTs is a call for wealthy nonprofits to invest in justice rather than charity | Generocity
PILOTs have the power to “shift wealth from powerful and privileged institutions to the neediest and most marginalized communities,” says guest columnist Angela Chan.
The demand for PILOTs from Penn and Drexel heats up in West Philly as schools remain underfunded | AL DÍA
Hundreds of protesters blocked traffic on March 30, to call on the higher ed institutions to provide more funding to Philadelphia schools.
Over 100 protesters march through University City demanding Penn, Drexel pay PILOTS | The Daily Pennsylvanian
More than 100 educators, students, and activists marched through University City on March 30 to urge Penn and other property tax-exempt universities to pay Payments in Lieu of Taxes to Philadelphia. The protest, called #PhillySchoolsDeserve: A March for PILOTs, was co-sponsored by Penn Community for Justice, Drexel Community for Justice, Penn for PILOTs, and other community organizations.
Protesters again push Drexel, Penn to pay PILOTs to Philly public schools | WHYY
Over 100 students, teachers, and community members marched through Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania’s campuses on Thursday evening calling on both schools to make payments in lieu of taxes to support the School District of Philadelphia. A drumline led the protesters through the streets, organized by advocates from Philadelphia Jobs With Justice, the Our City Our Schools Coalition, Penn for PILOTs, Home and Schools Association, Caucus of Working Educators, Juntos, and other groups.
Phila. residents urge Penn to pay PILOTs to underfunded local schools at City Council hearing | The Daily Pennsylvanian
Calls for Penn to pay Payments in Lieu of Taxes to Philadelphia were raised yet again in a recent City Council committee hearing that examined how nonprofit tax exemptions affect the funding of local schools, as well as the role PILOTs can play in the city’s future.
City Council panel examines how to fund cleaning up environmental hazards in Philadelphia’s public schools | Philadelphia Tribune
City Council’s Committee on Children and Youth held a public hearing Wednesday hosted by Councilmember at-Large Kendra Brooks in partnership with Philadelphia Jobs with Justice to examine the relationship between the property tax exemption for wealthy nonprofits on the School District of Philadelphia’s budget and how to fund cleaning up environmental hazards in district facilities.
Activists say wealthy universities’ property tax exemptions hurt public schools | Truthout
Activists say Penn’s commitment is a step in the right direction but falls short of their goal to have the university pay PILOTs commensurate with the amount of property it owns.
Activists question whether wealthy universities should be exempt from property taxes | The Hechinger Report
Philadelphia Jobs With Justice, a pro-labor nonprofit, has been campaigning for this for years. “This victory is a testament to the strength of the movement by public school teachers, parents and students for equitable funding for their schools,” said Devan Spear, the executive director of Philadelphia Jobs With Justice, in a press release. “It is also not the end of this fight. The immense wealth inequality and chronic public-school underfunding in our city requires a fundamental transformation in the way that wealthy institutions relate [to] surrounding communities.”
Philly’s other big universities stay silent after $100M UPenn donation | WHYY
Two weeks after the University of Pennsylvania made a $100 million contribution to the School District of Philadelphia, it’s unlikely the cash infusion will inspire copycat donations from major higher education peers in the city.
I’m a Penn alum – there’s nothing charitable about their $100 million donation | Philadelphia Magazine
The big gift to the school district doesn’t settle the ongoing debate over whether the multibillion-dollar institution is doing enough to pay its fair share.
