PHOENIX, AZ (May 15, 2020) — Catholic Education Arizona partners with Arizona businesses to make families’ education dreams into reality.  CEA, a School Tuition Organization serving the Diocese of Phoenix 37 Catholic schools, offers Arizona businesses an opportunity to change lives and build communities. To date, they have assisted over 125,000 students with $235 million in tuition assistance in 22 years. The tax legislation program allows individuals and corporations to direct their tax dollars to the underserved.

Christine Lorello, Corporate Manager for Catholic Education Arizona, shared, “Your corporate tax liability can elevate a student now, helping them to exceed their academic potential, while laying understructure for our future workforce.”

Corporate partners filing as S or C Corp, LLCs filing as S Corp and insurance companies collecting premiums can direct up to 100% of their state tax liability to Low Income and Disabled/Displaced scholarships through CEA. This is a tax credit, not a donation. CEA partners with companies such as APS, GCU, Sprouts, Earnhardt Auto Centers and BBVA as well as small firms such as attorneys, dentists, painters, and restaurants.

Attorney Lance Venable has supported CEA for several years. “I know the good that it does to help families who want to have their children attend Catholic schools who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend.  I personally have benefited immensely from receiving a K-12 Catholic education and want to help others have a similar experience.”

The Diocese of Phoenix Catholic High Schools boast:

  • 99% graduation rate
  • 97% of graduates matriculate to higher education or military service
  • 1000s of hours of community service are conducted annually

“As the #1 STO in Arizona we work closely with our corporate partners to serve the underserved, change lives and create future leaders,” stated Catholic Education Arizona’s President and CEO Nancy Padberg.

The deadline for corporations with an Arizona state tax liability to commit to the Low-Income and Disabled/Displaced scholarships is June 30th.

Peter Morkert, Ed.D., Director of Outreach for Canyon Christian Schools Consortium for GCU stated, “Grand Canyon University has partnered with CEA for four years, and the process has been easy.  Working with the professional staff at CEA, the commitment and application process required through the Department of Revenue is easy, and CEA staff members are always willing to help.”

Catholic Education Arizona is the largest provider of scholarships to underserved families attending private schools.  Last year $18.3 million in tax credit donations was made to assist 45% of Arizona’s Catholic school students. Since 1998, over $235 million in tuition scholarships has been awarded to 125,000 families. Learn more about how CEA is Changing Lives One Scholarship at a Time. www.ceaz.org 602-218-6542

Contact: Debra Preach, Chief Development Officer
Catholic Education Arizona
dpreach@ceaz.org
(602) 469-4594