Donors across the archdiocese gave almost $2 million to the Tax Credit Scholarship program in 2022 – a record sum that will allow more children access to a Catholic education in the next school year.
In all, more than 450 individuals and businesses made gifts to the TCS program, which benefits students attending the three high schools and 16 grade schools in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
The 2022 total was up from the more than $1.5 million raised the previous year. Based on the average scholarship award for 2022-23, about 600 needs-based scholarships are expected to be awarded for the coming year.
“It’s tremendous to see this growth in the Tax Credit Scholarship program,” said Lara Schuler, director of Catholic education for the archdiocese. “TCS is potentially life changing for the families and students who would otherwise not be able to afford a Catholic school education.”
Donors to the TCS program receive annual state income tax credits up to $1,000 for individuals, $2,000 for couples filing jointly or $100,000 for qualified businesses. An increase in corporate gifts helped push the 2022 total to the highest level in the program’s 11-year history.
“We hope to see gifts of all levels continue to grow in 2023 and beyond,” said Peter de Keratry, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma. “Corporate gifts in particular have the potential to greatly expand the TCS program and transform students’ lives.”
Gifts to TCS may be made online at tcsok.org/give or by calling (405) 709-2700.