All information on this page is as accurate as possible, but be sure to consult a tax professional for any questions regarding how to file the tax credit. Click here for additional information on how the tax credits will be disbursed.

The goal of the School Tuition Organization (STO) is to raise approximately $500,000 for the 2008 calendar year. Click Here to see how this amount is determined. According to the law, donations can be cash or stock gifts. In addition, in order to qualify for the tax credit, the donor must be an Iowa taxpayer.

To encourage donations, all donations are eligible for a 65% tax credit. The following illustration shows how the tax credit works:

The tax credit works as a DIRECT REDUCTION in Iowa state taxes. If the donor in the example above owed $1,000 in state taxes, the tax credit would reduce his tax liability to $350. In addition, the gift would also be able to be taken as a charitable contribution on federal tax returns. Refer any questions regarding the specifics of tax preparation to a tax professional.

You can make your gifts to the STO in two easy ways:

Donation Form (click)

** This application is in a .pdf format.  To obtain a .pdf reader, click here. **

** Please see the Thrivent GivingPlus section at the bottom of this page **

1. Give your gift with a completed Donation Form to your local school, who will forward it to the STO

2. Mail your gift with a completed Donation Form to:

Iowa Lutheran STO

1122 W. Central Park

Davenport, IA 52804

If you choose to designate funds to a specific school, we will direct funds to the designated school. Once the identified needs of qualifying students attending the designated school have been met, any unused restricted donations will be made available to satisfy the needs of qualifying students at other schools within the STO.

Donation Goal

For calendar year 2008, the Iowa State Legislature has allotted $7,500,000 in tax credits to be distributed to children who attend private schools throughout Iowa. As of January 2008, there are 11 STOs recognized by the state, representing approximately 35,082 students. As a result, the per-student allocation of the tax credit for 2008 will be $7,500,000/35,082 or approximately $214 per student.

As of October 2007, the schools affiliated with the Iowa Lutheran STO have an enrollment of 1,459 K-8 students. Therefore, there is approximately $311,912 in tax credits that the STO could issue for 2008 (1,459 students x $214).  Since the tax credit is a 65% credit, that means a total of $479,864 raised by the STO is eligible for a credit ($311,912/.65).

STO Donation Form (click)

** This application is in a .pdf format.  To obtain a .pdf reader, click here. **

Thrivent GivingPlus

Are you ager 16 or older and a benefit member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, or own Thrivent Mutual Funds accounts and/or Thrivent Life Insurance Company products?  Then you may be eligible to participate in the Thrivent GivingPlus program.

The GivingPlus program is an example of the immediate, positive difference we can make together by contributing to the vitality of Lutheran ministries.  Through this program, your financial gifts to the STO may be supplemented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Thrivent Asset Management, LLC or Thrivent Life Insurance Company.

Simply fill out the pre-filled GivingPlus gift form below and send it, along with your donation and STO Donation Form to the ILSTO.

Thrivent GivingPlus Gift Form (click)

** This form is in a .pdf format.  To obtain a .pdf reader, click here. **

** This form must be attached to the STO Donation Form above **