1.  What is the Diocese of Toledo Scholarship Fund (DOTSF)?

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The Diocese of Toledo Scholarship Fund is a Scholarship Granting Organization registered with the State of Ohio’s Attorney General’s Office. DOTSF is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization that collects funds to assist students in grades K-12 to attend non-public schools within the Diocese of Toledo.

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2.  Is the Diocese of Toledo Scholarship Fund part of the Diocese of Toledo? 

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The DOTSF is a separate 501(c)3 organization under the auspices of the Diocese of Toledo. This organization is not the same as One Faith, Many Blessings fund, the Annual Catholic Appeal, the Living Christ Diocesan Capital Campaign, or other parish endowments or scholarship funds; however, these funds directly benefit students in the Catholic schools within the Diocese of Toledo. 

 

3.  What is a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO)?

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In the State of Ohio, a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that receives contributions from individual donors and grants educational scholarships to eligible students K-12 in Ohio. Individuals and entities that contribute to SGOs participating in the program can receive a tax credit. The SGO program was enacted in 2021 as part of Ohio House Bill 110 and is overseen by the Ohio Attorney General.

 

4.  How do I donate to this fund? 

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It’s easy! To donate, click the "Donate" button. You can select to donate online or mail a check addressed to: Diocese of Toledo Scholarship Fund, 1933 Spielbusch Ave., Toledo, Ohio, 43604. Following your donation being processed, you will receive a donation receipt and a letter of acknowledgement for the tax credit. In both instances, you may designate your donation to a particular Catholic school or select "greatest need" for students throughout the Diocese of Toledo.

 

5.  What is the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction? 

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A tax credit directly reduces the amount you owe in taxes. A tax deduction reduces your taxable income. A tax deduction does not provide a dollar-for-dollar benefit. In this SGO program, each dollar you donate reduces what you owe in taxes by a dollar. 

 

6.  Who qualifies for a tax credit? 

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Any Ohio taxpayer or Limited Liability Company (LLC) donating directly to the SGO is eligible for the tax credit. The law now allows for donations eligible for a tax credit to be collected until the date that Ohio taxes are due to the State of Ohio, typically April 15, for donations to be applied to the previous year. For example, a donor may make a donation to receive a tax credit on March 2, 2024, and have that donation applied to the 2023 tax year. 

 

7.  Can I donate directly to a particular Catholic school? 

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Donors may direct their SGO contribution directly to a particular Catholic school within the Diocese of Toledo. The Scholarship Fund will alert the Catholic school that a donation has been made to be applied to a student’s tuition bill for the upcoming school year. Families must first apply to be considered for a scholarship

 

8.  How much is my tax credit when I donate to this fund?

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The maximum tax credit is $750 per individual or $1,500 for those married filing jointly. However, there is no cap on donations to SGOs across the state. Any amount may be donated to an SGO. Donors should consider writing two separate checks if they are married filing jointly.

 

9.  How do students benefit from my donation? 

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There is a DOTSF application for families to use on the website. Families who wish to be considered for a scholarship must fill out the form to be considered. By state law, low income families must be prioritized in the application process, but all families may be considered. The DOTSF will make award selection twice a year: in the fall and the spring. The DOTSF will notify the Catholic school and family, and send payment directly to the Catholic school on behalf of award recipients. 

 

10.  How much do I owe for my State of Ohio Taxes?

On Form 1040 IT of your Individual Income Tax Return for the state of Ohio, reference line thirteen (13) or the Total Ohio tax Liability Line. For other tax-related questions, you are encouraged to consult a tax professional.   

 

11.  How is my tax credit applied to my state taxes?

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After making a donation, you will receive via mail, documentation to ensure your tax credit for the previous year’s donation is applied to your state tax liability. 

 

12.  Is my donation also tax deductible for my federal taxes? 

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Consult your tax advisor to determine your specific tax situation. For more information, visit www.irs.gov or a tax professional for more information.  

 

13.  Who can apply for a scholarship through the DOTSF? 

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Any student who will be or already is attending a Catholic school within the boundaries of the Diocese of Toledo is eligible to apply. Families with whose income is at 300% of the Federal Poverty Level or lower will be processed first, but all families, regardless of their location on the Federal Poverty Scale are eligible to apply.

 

14.  How much is awarded per scholarship? 

Families may be awarded up to the full amount of the school’s tuition. 

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15. I read that the donation is non-refundable, what does that mean?

It means that once a gift is made, the SGO is unable to issue a refund to a donor. This term does not refer to the process of receiving a tax refund from the state

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