In 2022, The Diocese of Columbus Office of Catholic Schools launched the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund, a scholarship granting organization (SGO) of the Diocese of Columbus that was formed to capitalize on a tax credit passed into law by the Ohio Legislature in 2021. As dictated by Ohio law, the funds raised by the SGO are to be used primarily for academic scholarships for students to attend K-12 schools and prioritized for low-income families. However, ALL students in Our Catholic Schools have the potential to benefit from these scholarship funds.  Even with the recent expansion to Ohio’s EdChoice Scholarship program, financial need still exists for many families. Your gift helps bridge the gap between state scholarships and the cost to educate a child, while reducing your Ohio tax burden.

How does it work? Donors who make a gift to the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund receive a dollar-for-dollar credit (not a deduction) on their Ohio income tax liability – up to $750 per person, or $1,500 if married filing jointly – effectively allowing them to make a choice about how their Ohio tax dollars are utilized. Donors can restrict their gift for the benefit of one or more schools of their choosing (including St. Cecilia), or they may direct their dollars to the unrestricted fund which helps the greatest number of students in the diocese.

The Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund creates much-needed scholarship dollars for Our Catholic Schools while giving donors the power to put their tax dollars to work to support Catholic education. For additional information, or to get started with your contribution, visit the fund web site at www.emmausroadscholarship.org.