Give. Receive.
Empower a Student.
Give to CISE-SGO and receive a dollar-for-dollar Ohio tax credit while helping Cincinnati students access to a values-based Catholic education.
It's Simple
1. Give
Donate to CISE-SGO.
2. Receive
Receive a dollar-for-dollar Ohio income tax credit.
3. Empower a Student
Your gift provides scholarship dollars that help Cincinnati students access a values-based Catholic education.
Why Give to CISE-SGO?
For nearly five decades, CISE has helped make Catholic education possible for students with financial need. Today, CISE supports more than 3,000 students through its family of Catholic elementary schools and high school scholarship programs.
Supporting Students with the Greatest Need
Your donation to CISE-SGO provides scholarships for students from Cincinnati’s most underserved communities, helping make Catholic education possible for families with financial need.
Helping More Students Across Multiple Schools
Your donation to CISE-SGO supports students attending multiple Catholic high schools, extending the impact of your generosity beyond a single school.
Continuing the Journey Through High School
CISE-SGO scholarships help students who attended CISE-supported elementary schools continue their Catholic education through high school, building on the foundation they’ve already received.
How the Ohio
Tax Credit Works
CISE-SGO is an approved Ohio Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). Unlike a TAX DEDUCTION, which reduces your taxable income, a TAX CREDIT reduces the amount of Ohio income tax you owe, dollar for dollar, up to the maximum amount of $750 for individuals and $1500 for spouses filing a joint return.
Helping Students with Unique Learning Needs Thrive
For families with children who have unique learning needs, finding the right educational environment can be especially challenging. CISE partners with OptimALL to help ensure students receive the specialized support they need.
Ohio’s Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship helps cover the cost of those services, but not tuition. CISE-SGO helps bridge that gap by providing tuition scholarships, making it possible for children to remain in a Catholic school, often alongside their siblings, while receiving the support they need to thrive.
Helping Students with Special Needs Thrive
For families with children who have special learning needs, finding the right educational environment can be especially challenging. CISE partners with OptimALL to help ensure students receive the specialized support they need.
Ohio’s Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship helps cover the cost of those services, but not tuition. CISE-SGO helps bridge that gap by providing tuition scholarships, making it possible for children to remain in a Catholic school, often alongside their siblings, while receiving the support they need to thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
CISE-SGO is a Scholarship Granting Organization and 501(c)(3) charitable organization created by CISE. It is certified by the State of Ohio. Donations to CISE-SGO provide scholarships that help students access a values-based Catholic education while allowing eligible Ohio taxpayers to receive an Ohio income tax credit.
Eligible Ohio taxpayers receive a dollar-for-dollar Ohio income tax credit for donations to CISE-SGO, up to the allowable limit.
Individuals may claim a credit of up to $750, and married couples filing jointly may claim up to $1,500, subject to their Ohio income tax liability.
No. You may give any amount up to those limits. Your eligible tax credit is based on the amount of your donation and your Ohio income tax liability.
A tax credit reduces the amount of income tax you owe. A tax deduction reduces the amount of income that is subject to tax. Because a credit directly reduces your tax liability, it can be more valuable than a deduction.
CISE-SGO donations provide scholarships that help students attend CISE-supported Catholic grade schools and local Catholic high schools.
Yes. You can make monthly donations using a credit card or checking/savings account.
A tax credit may be claimed for donations made on or before the unextended return due date. But the same contribution cannot be used to claim the credit in two years.
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Beginning in 2027, taxpayers across the country may receive a Federal income tax credit for qualifying donations to participating Scholarship Granting Organizations. This means donors outside Ohio will have a NEW opportunity to support students through CISE-SGO and receive a dollar-for-dollar Federal tax credit. More information about participating in the Federal tax credit program through CISE-SGO will be available as the program is finalized.
Coming in 2027
Federal Scholarships Tax Credit
Beginning in 2027, a new Federal scholarship tax credit will allow eligible taxpayers from any state to support K–12 students through qualifying donations to participating Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). Donors may receive a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit of up to $1,700 per individual. More details to come!
Share the Tax Credit.
Score Big.
Refer and Win
Already a CISE-SGO donor? Refer a new donor and receive an entry into our November 30 drawing for each qualifying referral.