Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program

Donate

Already reserved your tax credit through MyTax Illinois? Click HERE to make your contribution online, or mail with your Contribution Authorization Certification and Designation Form to Big Shoulders Fund (212 W. Van Buren St., Suite 900, Chicago, IL, 60607).

The Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program, made possible by the Illinois Invest in Kids Act, provides donors a unique opportunity to contribute to scholarships that help lower-income families send their children to private schools — while reducing their own tax bill on dollars otherwise owed to the state. Big Shoulders Fund has been approved by the Illinois Department of Revenue to participate as a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) through this program, which means your donations can support Big Shoulders Fund.

The program enables individuals and corporations to reserve Illinois income tax credits based on contributions made to SGOs. The organizations then provide scholarships for eligible students to attend nonpublic schools, with priority given to low-income students. Taxpayers may apply 75 percent of the total contributed as a tax credit against their Illinois income tax bill. For example, a taxpayer making a $1,000 qualified contribution would be awarded a $750 tax credit. The credits are capped at $1 million per taxpayer per year.

For more information about how to reserve your tax credit and contribute to the Big Shoulders Fund SGO, please review the following documents or visit bigshouldersfundsgo.org.

If you need assistance making your contribution you can contact us at sgo@bigshouldersfund.org or 312.751.8337.

Program Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

Steps to Reserve a Tax Credit

Designation Form (For Online Submission)

Designation Form (To Print and Mail)

Advocacy

The Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program, made possible by the Invest in Kids Act, is currently slated to sunset at the end of 2023 and we need your help to extend the deadline and keep this option available to families. We have made it easy for you to search, find, and contact your local lawmakers to express your support using the tool below.