Dear Donovan families,

I'm writing with some good news and a request. New Jersey has a rare opportunity, and we need our families' help to make the most of it.

Together with the Diocese of Trenton, the New Jersey Catholic Conference and the New Jersey Council for American Private Education, we've been preparing for more than a year for a new federal program called the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. If New Jersey takes part, it could mean millions of dollars in potential scholarship support for New Jersey students, including many of the children and families in our own schools. But New Jersey only gets that chance if Governor Sherrill opts the state in before the end of this year.

That's where you come in. The governor represents every student in New Jersey, and our families are residents, taxpayers and voters. When she hears from us, she'll know how much this matters to the families we serve.

The short version:

• This is a new federal program that begins in 2027.
• New Jersey has to opt in for our students to benefit.
• If the state opts in, our school communities could benefit. If it doesn't, those dollars will go to students in other states.

What we're asking you to do (it takes about two minutes):

1. Contact Governor Sherrill. Choose whichever works best for you:
   • Quickest: Use the New Jersey Catholic Conference's action alert, which walks you through sending a message to the governor: https://njcatholic.org/faith-in-action?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f139845%2fRespond
   • Most personal: Copy the letter below, add our school name and your town, and send it through the governor's contact form at https://www.nj.gov/governor/contact/. You can also mail it to Office of the Governor, PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625.
   • If you have the time, we'd love for you to do both.
2. Share this email with family, friends and your parish community. The more voices she hears, the better.

Please act this week if you can. Every message helps show Governor Sherrill that Catholic school families want this opportunity.

Questions families often ask:

What is the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit?
It's a program Congress created in 2025, also called the Education Freedom Tax Credit. Starting in 2027, individuals can receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to approved scholarship organizations (up to $3,400 for married couples who each give). Those organizations award scholarships to students for tuition, tutoring, books, special-needs services and other educational costs.

Does it cost New Jersey or taxpayers anything?
No. It doesn't draw on the state budget, local property taxes or the public school funding formula. It's funded by voluntary private donations, offset by the federal tax credit.

Is this a school voucher program that hurts public schools?
No. Scholarships go to students in both public and nonpublic schools, and public school students can use them for things like tutoring and special-needs services.

Is it only for wealthy families?
No. The NJCC notes that federal law limits scholarships to households earning no more than 300% of their area's median income, which keeps the focus on working- and middle-class families.

Do I need to do anything with my taxes right now?
No. Nothing changes for your family today. Our only goal right now is getting New Jersey to opt in. Understanding and using the credit will take time, and we'll have the support of the Diocese of Trenton every step of the way. I'll share more as soon as I know it.

Where can I learn more?

• New Jersey Catholic Conference: NJScholarshipCredit.org
• New Jersey Council for American Private Education: https://www.newjerseycape.org/eftc

Thank you for being part of our school family and for standing up for our students. We're grateful for you.

Mrs. Gleinig
Principal, Donovan Catholic High School

EMAIL 3: FROM PARENTS TO THE GOVERNOR

Letter to the governor (copy, personalize and send):

Subject: Please Opt New Jersey into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Dear Governor Sherrill,

My child(ren) attend Donovan Catholic High School, and our family is proud to call New Jersey home.

I am asking you to opt New Jersey into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit so that New Jersey students and families can benefit from this new federal opportunity. This program can benefit students in public schools and in non-public schools like ours. Students in ALL schools stand to gain. If New Jersey does not participate, our families could miss access to scholarship dollars that will instead benefit students in participating states.

Every parent should have the opportunity to choose the learning environment that best meets the needs of their child. Educational choice should not be available only to families who can easily afford it.

Please represent the educational needs of ALL New Jersey students by opting New Jersey into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit.

Thank you for supporting New Jersey students and families.

Sincerely,
[NAME]
Parent/Guardian at Donovan Catholic High School
Toms River, New Jersey