Bluestone Scholars 1852 Fund

Background

St. Mary’s in Philadelphia, opened in 1767, was the first Catholic school in America. It began the collective commitment to Catholic education in the United States. Parishes began to independently establish schools. St. Mary’s Academy was founded in Somerset in 1830 and St. Xavier in 1831 in Cincinnati. Bishop Flaget was opened in Chillicothe in 1837. Cincinnati added St. James School in 1843. In 1849, St. Mary’s in Massillon began accepting students as did Beaumont School in Cleveland a year later. 1850 also witnessed the opening of Chaminade Julienne in Dayton and St. Francis de Sales in Newark. It was in 1852 at the First Plenary Council of Baltimore that the 13^thDecree was issued, stating, “Bishops are exhorted to have a Catholic school in every parish.” Two years after that council, St. Ursula Academy was founded in Toledo. The 13^th Decree created new parochial schools in Ohio and throughout the United States. It also unified all existing parish education and was the national foundation for the Catholic school system in America. The Bluestone Scholars 1852 Fund venerates and preserves the united Catholic commitment to education.

Bluestone Scholars

Every scholarship offered by Bluestone Hibernian Charities takes into consideration financial need in the application process. The 1852 Fund prioritizes financial need to applicants whose household income is below 300% of the poverty threshold published by the United States Census Bureau, or if the applicant, the parent(s) or the guardian(s), receives public assistance. Applicants that are over this threshold are also eligible for a scholarship, dependent on the availability of funds.

All K-12 scholars that attend an accredited Catholic educational institution in the State of Ohio are eligible to receive funding if they complete the application materials and a FACTS application at their institution. Bluestone Hibernian Charities collaborates with schools to verify the poverty threshold status of each applicant. Similar to the process for our other scholarship opportunities, scholars may apply directly at their institution or apply on the Bluestone Hibernian Charities website.

If you donate to BHC, here is how it works:

1. If you owe the State of Ohio for the current tax year (2024), you deduct the amount you contribute from the amount you owe. For example, if you owe $800 to the State of Ohio and you donate $750, you then owe $50.

2. If you are owe the State of Ohio for the current tax year (2024), and the amount owed is less than $750 you can reduce that amount up to the amount owed. For example, if you owe the State of Ohio $500 and you donate $750, you then owe $0. This is a non-refundable tax credit.

The maximum credit amount is currently $750. If you are filing a joint return, and both spouses make eligible donations, each spouse can claim this credit, up to $1,500 per household.

Donations are not restricted to the tax-credit limit. There are Honorary Scholarship opportunities. Each $1,000 gift will be named in accordance of the donor’s wishes. That could be a family that collectively donates $1,000 or more, each receiving an individual or household tax credit. These scholarships can be designated to the institution selected.

Donors will receive confirmation for each gift. A tax receipt will be mailed to utilize when filing State of Ohio income taxes and claiming the tax credit. Donations must be made by before your taxes are filed and before the filing deadline (April 15th) of each year to be eligible for the tax credit.

Bluestone Hibernian Charities does not offer tax advice but if you have any questions on this process, please contact francis.mcgarry@bluestonecharities.org

Bluestone Scholars 1852 Fund

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