Arizona Tax Credits and Donations Help Transform Lives

Catholic Education Arizona provides scholarships for underserved students through tax credits and charitable giving.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:40pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating grid of stacked textbooks in vibrant shades of pink, yellow, and blue, conceptually representing the educational impact of Catholic Education Arizona's scholarship programs.Catholic Education Arizona's scholarship programs empower underserved students to access quality Catholic education, transforming lives through the power of learning.Phoenix Today

Business leaders and Arizona taxpayers can directly empower K-12 students by supporting scholarships for underserved, disabled, and foster children through Catholic Education Arizona. The Arizona Individual and Corporate Tax Credits, along with traditional charitable donations, make it possible for individuals and organizations to fund tuition scholarships and change lives.

Why it matters

Catholic Education Arizona is the largest provider of scholarships for families attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Phoenix. By utilizing Arizona's tax credit programs and accepting traditional donations, CEA has raised over $383 million and awarded 161,000 scholarships, making a significant impact on the lives of underserved students in the community.

The details

Through the Arizona Individual and Corporate Tax Credit programs, taxpayers and businesses can redirect their state tax dollars to CEA at no additional cost, funding tuition scholarships for K-12 students attending the 38 Diocese of Phoenix Catholic schools. CEOs and CFOs can also invest in future generations through the Arizona Low-Income and Disabled/Displaced (foster) Corporate Tax Credit programs. Additionally, CEA's charitable division, Changing Lives with Legacy, accepts traditional donations such as cash, bequests, IRA charitable rollovers, stock and bond gifts, and donor-advised fund grants.

  • Since 1998, CEA has raised more than $383 million and awarded 161,000 scholarships.

The players

Catholic Education Arizona

The largest provider of scholarships for families attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Phoenix, supporting underserved, disabled, and foster students through tax credits and charitable donations.

Nancy Padberg, MBA

President & CEO of Catholic Education Arizona.

Lorena Contreras

Parent of a Catholic School student who has benefited from CEA's scholarship support.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Through Arizona tax credits and charitable giving, tax contributors and traditional donors can make a lifelong impact on children. Help us educate underserved, disabled and foster students who are our future work force, neighbors and friends.”

— Nancy Padberg, MBA, President & CEO, Catholic Education Arizona

“To be able to send my daughter to a school that supports her faith with like-minded individuals surrounding her has helped steer her high school journey into the right direction from the very start. Without CEA, our family would not be able to find the loving and caring environment of the Catholic school.”

— Lorena Contreras, Parent of a Catholic School student

What’s next

Individuals and businesses interested in supporting Catholic Education Arizona can visit the organization's website at www.ceaz.org or call (602) 218-6542 to learn more about the available tax credit programs and donation opportunities.

The takeaway

By leveraging Arizona's tax credit programs and accepting traditional charitable donations, Catholic Education Arizona has been able to transform the lives of thousands of underserved, disabled, and foster students in the community, providing them with access to quality Catholic education and the resources they need to succeed.