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SGO Tax Credit

Columbus Montessori Education Center is now an official partner with the Ohio Scholarship Fund DBA Every Child Every Family Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO)! This program allows Ohio taxpayers to redirect their state tax dollars to fund scholarships for our students, at no net cost to you, and it takes just five minutes using a credit card. 
 
This is an incredible opportunity to increase access to Montessori education, and we encourage each of you to participate and help spread the word!
This program allows you to make a donation to our school that you can add as a tax credit to your annual tax return and you will receive the amount of your donation back in full with your tax return. The credit can be UP TO $750 for individuals and UP TO $1500 for couples. Donations made on or before April 15, 2025 may be used as a credit on your 2024 Ohio Tax liability. So, if you have not yet submitted your taxes this year, you can still make a contribution through One Child One Family toward CMEC before April 15th to be applied as a credit to your 2024 tax liability, and you will receive the tax credit back this year. 


SGO Tax Credit FAQs

List of 12 items.

  • Learn More about One Child One Family Scholarship Giving Organizations (SGO)

    Established in 2022, Ohio Scholarship Fund DBA Every Child Every Family is a nonprofit scholarship granting organization registered in the state of Ohio. Donations to Every Child Every Family are used to fund scholarships for students in grades K-12 at partnering private schools. Donations to scholarship granting organizations like Every Child Every Family can allow donors to receive a tax credit on their Ohio Income tax.

    Visit https://everychildeveryfamily.org/ for more information.
  • What is a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO)?

    A Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization certified by the Ohio Attorney General that receives contributions from donors and awards academic scholarships to eligible K-12 students in Ohio. The organization must prioritize awarding scholarships to low-income students as defined by the state.
  • What is the benefit of an SGO to CMEC?

    The State of Ohio recently enacted legislation allowing a tax credit of up to $750 per individual or $1,500 for married couples filing jointly for donations made to certified scholarship-granting organizations. This credit is available to individuals and pass-through organizations who have an Ohio tax liability. 

    Ohio taxpayers benefit through a dollar-for-dollar reduction of their state tax liability, while choosing to redirect those tax dollars in support of Columbus Montessori students at no additional cost to them. 

    CMEC benefits from the program by being able to award tuition assistance that prioritizes families in need who seek the opportunity for their children to receive a Montessori education at CMEC. 

    For individualized questions or concerns, consult with your personal accountant or financial advisor. 
  • If I contribute to the SGO, is that considered a gift to CMEC?

    There are many ways in which our community supports CMEC and we are thrilled to add another option to support our students. Because the SGO contribution is a redirection of tax dollars, it is different than a philanthropic gift. SGO contributions are not the same as Impact Fund gifts which are utilized for our most critical improvements not covered by tuition costs such as improvements to our facilities and enhancing our programming. However, we will recognize SGO supporters in our Annual Report materials to share our gratitude.
  • Can donors designate a specific student for their donation?

    No, a donor can designate a specific participating school but not a specific student.
  • What students are eligible for a scholarship through an SGO?

    Schools must give priority to low-income students (K-12) for scholarships and primarily award academic scholarships for (K-12) students. Low income is defined as income below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
  • Who is responsible for submitting SGO contribution information to the State of Ohio?

    Each donor is personally responsible for maintaining the contribution acknowledgment receipt from the SGO in order to receive the tax credit. The SGO is a separate 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and they will issue your tax receipt (EIN: 88-2008090) stating the amount of contribution, date, and organization's name. CMEC does not issue tax receipts for Every Child Every Family SGO contributions. 
  • Do participating schools have access to donation and financial information?

    Every Child Every Family SGO enables schools to login and view its available scholarship funds. Schools are notified by email when a donor makes a gift and designates their school.
  • What year does the tax credit apply for?

    Donations received on or up to the Federal tax filing deadline of April 15, 2025, may be claimed for the 2024 tax year, however a credit from this contribution may not be claimed for both the 2024 and 2025 tax filings.
  • Can I claim my donation on both state and federal tax returns?

    No. If you are claiming the maximum individual donation ($750) you may claim your full credit on your Ohio tax return. However, any donation above your Ohio tax liability may be taken as a deduction on your federal tax return.
  • What if I don't have any Ohio tax liability?

    Your donation to an Ohio Scholarship Granting Organization would not be eligible as an Ohio credit. The full donation may be eligible to take as a deduction on your federal tax return.

    Check with your accountant or tax professional to determine how donations may impact your specific tax situation.
  • Thank you CMEC SGO Contributors

    Jill & Brian Aubert
    Janet Meltzer & Seth Becker
    Tyler Johnoff & Jason Brown
    Julia Backoff & Chip Burke
    Katelyn & Joseph Do
    John Dougherty 
    Melody Steely & Steve Gussler
    Vicky & Kenneth Householder in honor of "The Gussler Girls"
    Scott Hall
    Rekha & Arvind Kohli
    Jemimah Robbs & Peter Lohmann
    Rebecca & Clint McCoy
    Alyssa & Tim Moody
    Katie Rose
    Mykah Rose
    Becky Sullivan
    Joshua VanDixhorn
    Alicia & Brian Vereb
    Crystal Lappe & Abe Zawodni

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Columbus Montessori Education Center provides a unique education model that launches the potential of each student, empowering them to change the world in ways big and small.


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