A Legacy of Learning: Ohio’s Tax-Smart Scholarship Revolution and You
In the heart of Ohio, a quiet revolution is unfolding in education—one that has the power to transform lives and communities from the ground up.
Oh, and it involves you. Did we mention that?
If you choose to participate in this revolution, you will make private school a possibility for students whose families cannot otherwise afford it. You will end up with a tax credit, too—but more on that later.
It all started in 2021, when Ohio passed legislation that resulted in the creation of Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which collect donations on behalf of schools to fund scholarships for eligible students.
Without scholarships, these students, who come from lower income families, only have two affordable options: Homeschool and public school. When you donate money to an SGO, you open an invaluable third option for these students, making it possible for them and their families to choose from a variety of quality private schools.
For parents concerned about bullying, overcrowding, or gun violence at public schools, being able to choose from a wider menu of educational options is a godsend. Schools that are safer and feature classrooms with fewer students offer peace of mind to parents and more personal learning environments for their children.
Parents who seek to keep their families active in religious communities will also find comfort in the knowledge that faith-based private schools are also on the menu. For these parents, sending their children to these schools means continuing a religious education that is already happening at home. It also means they have a partner in helping their children flourish spiritually.
Perhaps your own children have been shaped by private education, so you have firsthand knowledge of how these schools can impact students for the better. When you donate to an SGO, you give the gift of that impact to other students who would otherwise miss out on it.
With your donation, you empower today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders. This is a legacy you can feel good about. Its effects will continue to ripple out as the students impacted by your donation find ways to make a difference in the community—and perhaps even the world at large.
It’s also the kind of legacy that is kind to your bottom line.
Individuals can get tax credits for donations up to $750, while married couples filing together can get up to $1500. However, the credit cannot add up to more than their Ohio tax liability. Any excess donation can be claimed as charitable giving on a federal tax return.
If helping students from low-income families benefit from private education, leaving a legacy, and lowering your tax liability sound appealing, you may still be scratching your head about one thing: “Which SGO should I select?”
If your heart belongs to Tuscarawas County, picture the parents living there who wish they could afford a private Catholic school for their kids. They’ve tried both homeschooling and public school and discovered that both have their drawbacks.
They know there is a third option, although it’s one that has proven impossible financially. Until now.
Until you came along—we did say this involved you, right?
Make the impossible possible by donating your tax dollars to the Tuscarawas County Catholic Schools SGO to open the door to private, faith-based education for families in the region. It’s a wonderful way to participate in the educational revolution that’s happening in your backyard!