Give the Gift of Catholic Education: Earmark Your PA State Taxes to MTC

A Catholic education can be life-changing for a child and a family. Beyond strong academics, Catholic schools offer safe, nurturing environments rooted in faith, values, and community. For families in lower-performing school districts, access to this type of education can open doors to opportunity, stability, and long-term success.

What many Pennsylvania families and businesses don’t realize is that there is a way to help fund Catholic school education using PA state tax dollars you already owe, without increasing your overall tax burden.

Why Catholic Education Matters

Catholic schools are known for their strong academic standards, individualized attention, and focus on character development. They provide students with a sense of belonging, accountability, and moral grounding, elements that are especially impactful for children who may not be thriving in traditional school settings.

For families seeking a quality education in a safe and supportive environment, Catholic schools can be transformative. Scholarships play a critical role in making this option accessible to families who value Catholic education but may need financial assistance.

Using PA State Taxes to Support Catholic Schools

Pennsylvania offers an opportunity for individuals and businesses to support education through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. This program allows eligible taxpayers to earmark a portion of their PA state tax liability to support scholarships at the school of their choosing.

Rather than sending all of your state tax dollars to the general fund, EITC allows you to redirect some of those dollars to support educational opportunities for students in need.

How the EITC Program Works

The EITC program provides a simple and effective way to maximize your impact:

Redirect Your Taxes. You contribute to an approved scholarship organization using money you already owe in PA state taxes. This does not increase your taxes; it simply allows you to decide where a portion of those dollars go.

Receive a State Tax Credit. In return for your contribution, you receive a PA state tax credit that directly reduces the amount of taxes you owe. The credit percentage depends on the program and the length of your commitment.

Potential Federal Tax Benefits. In many cases, the portion of your contribution not covered by the state tax credit may also be eligible for a federal charitable deduction, further reducing the overall cost.

The result is a meaningful investment in Catholic education with minimal out-of-pocket impact.

Supporting Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School

Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School (MTC) partners with BLOCS, an approved scholarship organization, to participate in the EITC program.

Through this partnership, EITC contributions are converted into scholarships for MTC students, helping families access a high-quality Catholic education in a safe, faith-centered environment. These scholarships allow MTC to welcome and support students who might otherwise be unable to afford tuition.

Maximizing Your Impact Beyond the Tuition Check

Many MTC families ask, “How can I support MTC beyond tuition?”Through the EITC program, families and supporters may be able to redirect a portion of their PA state taxes to help fund scholarships for other deserving students.

By partnering with BLOCS, individuals and businesses can support MTC’s mission while making a responsible financial decision, often with little impact on their personal finances.

How to Earmark Your PA State Taxes to Support MTC

If you are interested in supporting Catholic education at MTC through the EITC program, here are your next steps:

• Contact the School. Email Sabina Lennon at sabina.lennon@mtcschool.org to learn more about MTC’s partnership with BLOCS and how to get started.

• Consult a Tax Professional. A qualified tax advisor can help determine eligibility and explain how participation may affect your individual or business tax situation.

• Estimate Your Gift: Use the PA Tax Credit calculator to estimate how your state tax dollars could be transformed into scholarships for MTC students.

  
  

A Gift That Changes Lives

Earmarking PA state tax dollars through the EITC program allows families and businesses to give the gift of Catholic education, strengthening families, expanding opportunity, and investing in the future.

By choosing to support Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School, you are helping ensure that more students have access to a quality education in a safe, nurturing, and faith-filled environment.