The Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund marked another milestone year in 2025, receiving a record $5.6 million in donations, a nearly 25 percent increase over the previous year.
The latest total represents the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth for the fund, which has now surpassed $15 million in total donations since its establishment in December 2021. The $5.6 million raised in 2025 will be distributed as need-based scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year.
“The Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund continues to be a blessing for families who desire a Catholic education for their children but have financial need,” diocesan Superintendent Dr. Adam Dufault said. “The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states that parents, having the first responsibility for the education of their children, have the fundamental right to choose a school ‘which corresponds to their own convictions.’ Emmaus Road Scholarships unmistakably support that choice and make Catholic education attainable for all.”
The fund was the first state-certified scholarship granting organization (SGO) in Ohio, receiving certification shortly after state lawmakers approved the tax credit in late 2021. The legislation allows Ohio taxpayers to redirect a portion of their state income taxes to SGOs to fund scholarships for students in grades K-12. In exchange, donors receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their Ohio income tax liability, up to $750 for individuals or $1,500 for married couples filing jointly.
Since its launch, the fund has helped address a growing gap in tuition assistance. While Ohio’s EdChoice Scholarship program has expanded access to school choice, diocesan officials note that those scholarships often do not cover the full cost of educating a student. At the same time, long-standing endowments established for tuition assistance have struggled to keep pace with rising demand.
“Our commitment has always been to make Catholic education affordable and accessible to every family who seeks it,” Dufault said. “The Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund has become a critical part of fulfilling that mission.”
Revenue growth since 2021 has been both steady and dramatic:
- $65,000 in 2021
- $1.9 million in 2022
- $2.985 million in 2023
- $4.5 million in 2024
- $5.6 million in 2025
Since 2022, more than 6,500 scholarships have been awarded, with an average award of $1,350. During the 2025–26 school year alone, more than $4.1 million in need-based scholarships supported over 3,000 students enrolled in Catholic schools across the diocese.
In preparation for a historic shift at the national level next year, the Office of Catholic Schools intensified its outreach efforts in 2025 to increase residents’ awareness and understanding of the Ohio SGO tax credit. A new federal tax credit for school choice that was included as part of last summer’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” is scheduled to take effect in January 2027, marking the first time a federal school choice program has been permanently enacted into law.
Dufault continued, “With this new federal credit on the horizon, we are entering an unprecedented era of educational opportunity for families, building on Ohio’s already robust school choice programs and expanding access to Catholic education for generations to come.”
It’s Not Too Late to Give for Tax Year 2025
Donors can still support the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund and receive a 2025 tax credit. Contributions made through the federal tax filing deadline of April 15, 2026 may be applied to the 2025 tax year.
Gifts may be designated for scholarships to any one or more of the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Columbus. For more information or to make a contribution, visit www.giveandgetback.org.