Catholic Education Fund (CEF-SGO)
The Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has been certified by the State of Ohio as a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). And the great news is that gifts to the CEF-SGO can be directed to Elder High School!
Ohio taxpayers who donate to SGOs may be able to claim a dollar-for-dollar non-refundable tax credit on their state income tax return for up to $750 per donor (up to $1,500 if married and filing jointly). The benefit of credit will not be any more than the total Ohio tax before credit.
This is a great way to support Elder High School and benefit from this new Ohio Income Tax Credit. Currently, all contributions will be directed to an aid fund for Elder’s neediest students. We are evaluating options for aid fund designations. We ask that your gift(s) to the CEF-SGO be over and above your current support of Elder High School.
For additional information or to check out our CEF-SGO Frequently Asked Questions page, please click on 'READ MORE' below and/or consult your tax advisor.
In keeping with the mission of CEF and the regulations of an SGO, CEF-SGO provides financial-need-based scholarships to students in grades K-12 within the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORETo make a gift by check, please make the check payable to "CEF-SGO"
with Elder High School in the memo area and mail to:
Catholic Education Foundation - SGO
100 East Eighth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...
Below you will find examples of frequently asked questions. Please understand that each individual’s tax situation is different, and we strongly encourage you to reach out to a tax advisor for more information on how an SGO credit could affect your tax liability.
- How much of my gift to Elder made through the CEF-SGO will actually go to Elder? Approximately 96% of your designated gift to Elder through the CEF-SGO will be distributed to Elder. The other ~4% will be used to pay credit card fees, check processing, etc.
- Does the CEF-SGO have the right to withhold my designated gift to Elder and distribute it wherever it wishes? No. If your gift is designated to Elder, then it will be distributed to Elder. However, if you do not designate Elder when making your gift, then your gift will be distributed to a general tuition aid fund within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
- May I designate my contribution to a specific student at Elder or to the Elder Annual Fund or to a named scholarship fund? No, we are not able to accept donations for a specific student, and you cannot direct your donation as your Annual Fund gift or as a gift to a particular named scholarship fund. We ask that your gift(s) to the CEF-SGO be over and above your current support of Elder High School.
- My spouse and I would like to make a $1,500 contribution to the SGO. Can we write one check or make one contribution online and receive the $1,500 credit? Under the direction of the State of Ohio, married taxpayers must make TWO SEPARATE $750 donations, one in each person's name, in order to be eligible for the full $1,500 tax credit. A single donation made for $1,500 will be limited by the State of Ohio to a $750 tax credit.
- I made a $750 gift to the Catholic Education Foundation SGO to benefit students in 2024. When I file my 2024 Ohio return, the total tax liability is $300. How much can I deduct from my Ohio tax liability? The credit can be applied to the amount of the Ohio tax liability with a maximum amount of $750. Your Ohio tax liability is $300, which is the amount you can deduct. The remains $450 cannot be used as a cash refund or to be rolled over into the following tax year.
- I have made two prepayments of $100 each against my $300 Ohio tax liability, totaling $200. Would my $750 gift to the Catholic Education Foundation SGO only credit the remaining $100? No, the SGO donation would be applied to the total Ohio tax liability of $300 and, therefore, you should be able to have your prepayments refunded. Again, we would encourage you to consult with your tax advisor prior to making the gift.
- The next year, my spouse and I decided to each give a gift to the Catholic Education Foundation SGO. We file our taxes jointly and wrote one $1,500 check to benefit students at Elder High School. Can we claim a $1,500 SGO credit on our Ohio tax return? No, only $750 can be credited. For the couple to receive a $1,500 SGO tax credit, each person would have needed to make a gift of $750 (or more) just in his or her name.
- Our total Ohio tax liability is $1,000. Can we still claim a tax credit for $1,500 if we both make $750 contributions to a qualifying SGO? The State of Ohio limits the tax credit to the lesser of $750 (single) or $1,500 (married filing jointly) or your total State of Ohio tax liability as reported on your Ohio Form IT-1040. In this scenario, the Ohio tax credit would be limited to $1,000.
- How do I receive the tax credit from the State of Ohio? The credit is claimed on your State of Ohio income tax return when you file it.
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