Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO)

Giving Families Educational Options and Providing Tax Credits for Supporters

Mater Dei High School is proud to partner with the Institute for Quality Education (IQE), a scholarship granting organization (SGO), which allows donors to make gifts to Mater Dei that directly benefit the educational grants awarded to our students most in need, AND allows donors to receive a substantial Indiana state tax savings of 50% of the donation (in addition to any Federal tax deduction).

How does it work?

Instead of donating directly to the school, you give a gift to the Institute for Quality Education (IQE), designating Mater Dei High School as the beneficiary. IQE distributes the money to Mater Dei to be used for tuition assistance for the Evansville Diocese high school’s qualifying families. The program enables more low- to middle-income students to attend a school of their choice and we believe that all students deserve to attend a quality school regardless of their families' financial backgrounds.

Donors who are Indiana residents will earn a 50% state tax credit on gifts made through IQE as long as those gifts are received before the tax credits run out.

In addition to the Indiana tax credit, your donation is eligible for existing federal tax deductions. Depending on your personal circumstances, this can result in substantial tax savings, greatly reducing the actual cost of your contribution. Always consult your tax advisor for details.

There are no program limits on the size of contributions to SGOs in a year, but the tax credit amount cannot exceed a taxpayer's state tax liability.

IMPORTANT TAX CREDIT STATUS

In July, tax credit dollars were made available to Hoosier taxpayers. Donations made after these funds are depleted do not receive the tax credit, so we encourage you to donate early.

Statewide cap: $8.5 million of tax credits per year (qualifying up to $10 million in donations).

Check total remaining tax credits for the current year.

How do I donate?

PRINT DONATION FORM MAKE ONLINE DONATION

Donations can be made online or by check using the print donation form above. Designate Mater Dei as the recipient school during the donation.

If mailing in your donation, please send to:

Institute for Quality Education
Attn: SGO Donations

101 West Ohio St
Suite 700
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I donate stocks, bonds, real estate or other commodities?

Will my company match my SGO gift?

Can I pay by credit card?

Are SGOs and vouchers the same thing?

No. Vouchers (officially known as ‘School Choice Scholarships’) are funded by state tax distributions. The amount eligible recipients receive for School Choice Scholarships is set by the state, and dependent on the family’s public school district. Scholarships through SGOs are funded by your charitable donations. The amount for an eligible recipient is dependent on the amount of funds that have been donated and are available in the SGO account for MDHS.

What is the difference between a 'tax credit' and a 'tax deduction'?

Can I direct my gift to a particular student?

Who does this program help?

Example of how this program works.

A donor makes a $2,000 gift to the Institute for Quality Education (formerly known as Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust).

The donor can claim a credit of $1,000 (50% of the gift) against his Indiana State Tax liability.

The donor may deduct $1,000 (the total gift less the Indiana credit) on his/her Federal Income Tax return (assuming he/she itemizes deductions). If he/she is in the 25% Federal tax bracket, this can reduce his tax liability by $250.

$2,000, less $1,000 State tax credit, less $250 Federal tax benefit = $750 net cost to the donor

The Institute for Quality Education will send the donor information on claiming the tax credit.

The donor is always encouraged to check with an accountant.

Further questions? Contact Mallory Hertel, Director of Advancement, at mhertel@evdio.org.