Ways for parents and community members to give

For parents, grandparents, alumni, neighbors, and local businesses · beginning January 1, 2027 in participating states

You don't need to be on a school's payroll to take part. Any taxpayer with enough federal tax liability can contribute up to $1,700 a year to the Foundation and receive the full amount back as a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. You choose the school community your gift supports, and the people already around a school become its own scholarship fund.

Through payroll

If you work for an employer that takes part, give a small amount each paycheck while a matching adjustment to your withholding keeps your take-home pay the same.

See the payroll option →

Monthly giving

Not on a participating payroll? Set up a recurring monthly gift so your contribution is easy to budget across the year, up to the $1,700 annual credit.

Spread it across the year

One-time gift

Prefer to give all at once? Make a single contribution any time during the year and claim the credit when you file your taxes.

Give once, any time

Why it costs donors nothing, net

−$1,700
contributed to scholarships
+
+$1,700
federal tax credit
(your taxes go down)
=
$0
net cost to you

The credit is nonrefundable: you need at least $1,700 in federal tax liability to use the full amount in one year, and any unused portion carries forward up to five years. Everyone's situation is different; this is not tax advice.

Choosing the school community you support. You may express a preference for the school community your gift supports. By federal law, every scholarship is awarded by the Foundation under its own published eligibility criteria, and no contribution can be designated for a particular student. That rule protects every family, and all awards are made by the Foundation under federal eligibility rules.

WHAT YOUR GIFT CAN FUND

Tuition & feesAcademic tutoringBooks & supplies Computers & internetSpecial-needs servicesTransportation Class tripsAfter-school programs

Public, charter, private, and religious school students are all eligible. By law, at least 90% of all funds become scholarships.

1

Choose your amount and school community

Decide how much to give, up to $1,700 for the year, and which school community you'd like to support.

2

Pick how you give

Through payroll, a recurring monthly gift, or a one-time contribution. Whatever fits your budget.

3

The Foundation handles the rest

We process your gift and send an official acknowledgment for tax filing. Under the new program, the IRS issues donors a unique donor number.

4

Claim the credit at tax time

Your contributions come back as the federal scholarship tax credit. We send a simple year-end statement; most filers hand it to their preparer or enter one number.

You can start any time. To count toward a given tax year, contributions must be made by December 31 of that year. Sign-up opens closer to the January 1, 2027 launch in participating states.

Tell me when giving opens

Available beginning January 1, 2027 in participating states, for donors with sufficient federal tax liability. The federal credit is nonrefundable and limited to $1,700 per taxpayer per year; unused amounts carry forward up to five years. Donor preferences are welcome; all awards are made by the Foundation under federal eligibility rules, and no contribution can be designated for a particular student. The K-12 Scholarship Foundation, Inc. is a Delaware corporation; its application for 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status is pending, and Scholarship Granting Organization listing occurs through each participating state. In plain words: this page simplifies a federal tax program and is not tax advice. Everyone's situation is different, so please review your plans with your accountant or tax professional, starting with the official sources below.

Sources: IRS · Federal Scholarship Tax Credit · ED/Treasury Fact Sheet · P.L. 119-21 §70411