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What is Support For Catholic Schools, Inc.?

Support for Catholic Schools, Inc. (SCS) was created as a result of the 2014 Kansas law that established the Low Income Student Scholarship program. This law allows taxpayers to make a charitable contribution to an approved Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). In turn, taxpayers will receive a 75% Kansas income tax credit that can be applied to their Kansas income tax liability. SCS is an approved SGO in the State of Kansas.

SCS is a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita that provides financial scholarships to grade schools and high schools in the Catholic Diocese of Wichita and Catholic Diocese of Dodge City.

Annually, the SCS board distributes 90% or more of gifts received to Catholic schools in the diocese that have eligible students. A very small amount is retained for operational expenses of the SGO. Students must be eligible for the free and reduced lunch program under the Nation School Lunch Act and be entering the school for the first time (kindergarten and transfer students).

How can I make a gift to support SCS?

There are three ways that you can make a gift to Support for Catholic Schools.

Check, Cash, or Credit Card: All checks should be made payable to Support for Catholic Schools, Inc., with the low income student scholarship program identified in the memo line. Credit card gifts can be made by using the Donate Now button on this site and making your donation online.

All donations require the submission of your tax payer identification number in order to receive the 75% Kansas income tax credit.

Appreciated Securities: The valuation of these securities for purposes of the tax credit is the average of the High trade price and the Low trade price on the date of the transfer.

Personal and Real Property: Valuation of personal and real property for purposes of the tax credit are specific and can be discussed in detail with a member of the SCS team. Personal and real property gifts will be considered on a case by case basis.

Is there a minimum or maximum gift amount?

Legislation passed in 2017 established a maximum annual gift per taxpayer at $500,000 for purposes of receiving a Kansas income tax credit. SCS has established a minimum gift of $500 in order to process a Kansas income tax credit.

How many tax credits are available from the State of Kansas?

The State of Kansas offers $10 million in tax credits for this program each tax year. The credits are issued on a first come, first served basis. Once the limit has been reached, credits will be unavailable until the beginning of the next tax year.

How does participation in this fund impact my responsibility to be a good steward at my parish?

Stewardship is the grateful response of a Christian disciple who recognizes and receives God’s gifts and shares them in love of God and neighbor. What is expected of Catholic school families in way of active stewardship is expected of all families in the parish. What is expected of all families is:

  • Attending of Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation
  • Participation in the sacramental life of the church
  • Active participation in parish ministries
  • Participation in the parish religious education programs for children and adults
  • Consistent Catholic moral values in all areas of life
  • Completion of an annual pledge of time, talent, and treasure
  • Making and keeping a good faith pledge of treasure, with a goal of 8% of your gross income to the parish and 2% to other favorite charities

A parish family with a student receiving a scholarship grant from SCS is still expected to live an active practice of faith as outlined above. 

Does participation in this fund change the foundational way in which our parish school is funded?

Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wichita are funded through a combination of three ways:

  • the generous, sacrificial and proportionate contributions of all the parishioners of a parish through their stewardship of treasure to the parish;
  • fees paid by the individual school family;
  • contributions made from individuals and corporations outside the parish; Funds provided through SCS to the Catholic Schools in the diocese are one example of this funding.