A New Opportunity to Support Catholic Education

By Geoff Andrews, Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Catholic Diocese of Salina

One of the great blessings of serving our Catholic schools is seeing the generosity of people across the Diocese of Salina.

For generations, parishioners, parents, grandparents, alumni, businesses and friends have made sacrifices to ensure Catholic schools remain strong and accessible. They understand that Catholic education is about more than preparing young people for college or a career. We partner with parents to form young men and women who know Jesus Christ, understand their God-given dignity and are prepared to use their gifts in service to others.

Today, we have an exciting opportunity to make that generosity go even further.

The Catholic Diocese of Salina has entered into a partnership with ACE Scholarships, a nonprofit Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) that will help connect donors with students and families seeking access to Catholic education.

One of the things we especially liked about ACE is its ability to keep the connection between donors and their local Catholic schools. Donors can choose which Catholic school in the Diocese of Salina they would like their contribution to support.

Whether someone has a special connection to a Catholic school in Salina, Hays, Manhattan, Beloit, Colby, Junction City or one of our other communities, ACE provides a way for that generosity to support scholarship opportunities connected to the Catholic school they know and love.

And there are now two important tax-credit opportunities for donors to understand.

The Kansas 75% Tax Credit — Available Now

Kansas already provides a tremendous incentive for individuals and businesses who support qualified students through a Scholarship Granting Organization.

Eligible contributions through the Kansas Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program can qualify for a 75% Kansas state income tax credit.

For example, a qualifying $10,000 contribution could result in a $7,500 Kansas state income tax credit.

For donors who already have a heart for Catholic education, this provides an opportunity to make a significant investment in students and families while receiving a substantial state tax benefit.

There is also an important reason not to wait.

Kansas has a statewide cap of $10 million in tax credits available through the program each year. As of this writing, approximately $7.5 million of that cap has already been utilized.

Once the statewide cap is reached, additional contributions will no longer qualify for the 75% Kansas tax credit for this year.

If you have been considering a contribution, now is the time to begin that conversation.

A New 100% Federal Tax Credit Begins January 1

Beginning January 1, 2027, something entirely new will become available.

The new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit will allow individual taxpayers to receive a 100% federal income tax credit for qualifying cash contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations, up to $1,700 per taxpayer each year.

This is a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit.

For example, an individual who makes a qualifying $1,700 contribution to an approved SGO could potentially receive a $1,700 credit against his or her federal income tax liability.

Think about the possibilities this creates for Catholic education.

Rather than scholarship support relying primarily on a relatively small number of major donors, this new opportunity could allow hundreds—or even thousands—of parishioners, alumni, parents, grandparents and other supporters across our diocese to participate.

A $1,700 contribution by itself can make a difference.

Hundreds of $1,700 contributions can transform what is possible for our schools and families.

Bishop Gerald Vincke has designated ACE Scholarships as the sole Scholarship Granting Organization for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Salina for participation in the new federal tax credit program.

We made that decision intentionally. ACE has the infrastructure and experience necessary to administer scholarship programs and navigate the compliance requirements associated with them. Just as importantly to us, their model allows donors to indicate the Catholic school they wish to support.

Your School Will Have Its Own ACE Page

Soon, each Catholic school in the Diocese of Salina will have its own dedicated ACE Scholarships landing page.

These webpages will make it easier for donors to learn about the tax-credit opportunities and support the Catholic school that is most meaningful to them.

But donors interested in the 75% Kansas tax credit should not wait for those individual school pages to be completed.

You can begin the process today.

Donors interested in participating now—or simply wanting to learn more—can contact:

AJ Kuhle
President, ACE Scholarships Kansas & Missouri
[email protected]
(303) 501-0464

AJ and the ACE team can help donors understand the giving process and ensure contributions are appropriately designated to support the Catholic school in the Diocese of Salina that the donor chooses.

More Than a Tax Credit

Tax credits can get complicated. Every donor’s financial circumstances are different, and we encourage individuals to visit with their tax professional or financial advisor about their specific situation.

But behind all the percentages, tax forms and regulations is something much simpler.

There is a child.

There is a family that wants a Catholic education for its children but worries about whether it can afford one.

There is a teacher who wants to share the Gospel while helping a student discover his or her God-given gifts.

There is a pastor working to ensure that Catholic education remains an important part of the evangelizing mission of his parish.

There is a small rural Catholic school whose presence helps keep a parish and community vibrant.

And there is a donor who has been blessed with resources and wants to make a difference.

Our partnership with ACE helps connect those people.

That is what excites me most about what lies ahead.

The 75% Kansas tax credit provides an outstanding opportunity today. The new 100% federal tax credit, up to $1,700 per taxpayer, provides another extraordinary opportunity beginning January 1, 2027.

My hope is that Catholics and friends of Catholic education throughout our diocese will learn about these programs and prayerfully consider whether participating makes sense for them.

We often talk about stewardship as returning to God a portion of what He has entrusted to us. These programs give us another creative way to practice that stewardship while investing in the formation of the next generation.

Ultimately, this isn’t about tax credits.

It is about opening doors.

It is about giving parents greater access to Catholic education.

It is about strengthening our Catholic schools, parishes and communities.

And most importantly, it is about helping more young people encounter Jesus Christ through the gift of Catholic education.

Whether through the Kansas program today or the federal program beginning in January, we have an opportunity to turn generosity into something lasting—an investment in students, families and the future of Catholic education across the Diocese of Salina.

Together, let us continue forming disciples of Jesus on mission.