A Milestone Achieved—Now the Real Work Begins

At Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation, we have long believed in the power of Catholic education to transform lives. In our last column, we shared the exciting prospect of a proposed federal school choice bill that could dramatically expand access to scholarships for families in need—and enhance the impact of your support like never before.

Now, we’re excited to share that the Educational Choice for Children’s Act has been signed into law. For the first time in U.S. history, a federal school choice program will be available nationwide. This is a breakthrough moment—one that affirms the importance of educational freedom and recognizes the vital role of organizations like Tomorrow’s Hope.

However, one essential step remains: New York must opt in for our families to benefit.

Under the law, each governor must decide whether their state will participate. Governors have until early 2027 to act. If New York does not opt in, the families we serve will not be eligible for this transformative support.

What the Final Law Delivers

Beginning in January 2027, donors will be eligible to receive a 100% federal tax credit for contributions to qualified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), including Tomorrow’s Hope. Families earning up to 300% of the Area Median Income will qualify for scholarships—not only for tuition, but also for books, uniforms, tutoring, special education services, technology, and more.

While earlier versions of the bill proposed higher giving thresholds, the final legislation includes a cap of $1,700 per individual donor each year. That limit may be lower than expected, but the opportunity is no less meaningful. It allows thousands more people across the country to participate in supporting educational opportunity—many for the first time—and still holds significant potential if scaled.

Importantly, the final law does not include a national cap on the total amount of tax credits issued—unlike earlier versions, which proposed annual limits of $5 or $10 billion. That means there is no ceiling on the total dollars that can be directed to SGOs across the country. The impact of this program will depend not on the size of a federal allocation, but on how many states opt in and how many donors choose to participate.

A New Kind of Impact

As we described in our previous column, a donor with a $35,000 federal tax liability could, under the original proposal, have redirected up to $25,000 toward scholarships. While that larger giving window is no longer part of the final law, the spirit remains: this is about redirecting federal tax dollars to support children and families—turning tax payments into personal impact.

For those already sponsoring a STAR student at $3,500 per year, the new credit allows a portion of that giving to be offset through your federal return. And for others who may not have given before, it offers a simple, tax-advantaged way to step in and support a child’s education.

The beauty of this new law is that it expands the reach of scholarship support without asking donors to give more out of pocket. With widespread participation, the collective effect could still be transformative.

Why New York’s Decision Matters

None of these benefits will be available to our families unless New York acts. That decision—expected in the next 18 months—will determine whether this program reaches Long Island or bypasses us entirely.

If New York opts in, we will be able to offer new and expanded scholarships to the students who need them most. We’ll also be able to invite more supporters into our mission, backed by a powerful new federal incentive.

Looking Ahead

The passage of this law affirms what we’ve always known: that families deserve the freedom to choose the best education for their children, and that philanthropy can be a force for lasting change. We’ve taken a major step forward. Now, we must ensure our state joins us on this path.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as implementation details emerge. In the meantime, thank you for your unwavering support—for your generosity, your belief in our mission, and your commitment to every child who walks through the doors of a Catholic school with hope for a better future.

Together, we can ensure this milestone becomes a movement—if New York says yes.