Jeff Mirasola, Government Affairs Director of Lumen Technologies, joined President and CEO of Catholic Education Arizona, Nancy Padberg, MBA, on episode 53 of the Creating Future Leaders Vodcast. Mirasola discussed the value of Catholic education and how business owners can create future leaders through AZ Corporate contributions.

Lumen Technologies is a corporate partner of Catholic Education Arizona, which means the company redirects its business’s AZ tax liability to Catholic Education Arizona to create scholarships for underserved students.

Why do corporations support Catholic Education Arizona with their AZ Corporate Tax Liability?

“You cannot argue with the academic standards,” Jeff said. Our Catholic schools in the Diocese of Phoenix have a staggering graduation rate of 99.8%, and 96% of Catholic school students matriculate to higher education, trade school, or enter military service.

“It is a civic responsibility, I want to make sure that I have a say with my tax dollars that it’s going to a place that is going to create our future leaders”, said Deb Preach, COO of Catholic Education Arizona. “Jeff, it’s creating your workforce for tomorrow. It strengthens families, generations, and improves our communities.”

What makes a Catholic Education special?

“A big part of what makes these schools special is this sense of community and what our teachers and principals do to give them the external pressure for this internal strength,” Jeff said. “To think for themselves and to be responsible and to not strict their responsibility and to respect others.”

Deb added, “I think the education the students receive speaks for itself. And not only should that education be available to our students whose parents can afford that tuition, but it needs to be available to the parents who can’t. Education is a right, not a privilege.”

Become a Corporate Partner Today

Did you know corporations can redirect up to 100% of their AZ state tax liability to create scholarships for underserved students? “It is very simple to become a partner,” said Jeff. If you are a business owner, contact us today to see if you qualify to take the AZ Corporate Tuition Tax Credits. There are two corporate tax credits to choose from, the AZ Low Income Corporate tax credits and the AZ Corporate Disabled/Displaced Tax Credit supports scholarships for disabled students or students who spent time in the foster care system.

For more information on becoming a corporate partner, please visit our website at CEAZ.org or call (602) 218-6542. To watch the full episode of the Creating Future Leaders vodcast, visit CEAZ.org and watch episode 53.