More Than 1,800 Catholic School Students Receive CTO Grants
by Catholic Tuition Organization | September 2, 2026
By Brian Tingleff
A total of 1,879 students attending 16 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Des Moines will receive a tuition grant from the school tuition organization, Catholic Tuition Organization (CTO) located in Des Moines. A total of $2.7 million in tuition grants were awarded.
Funding of the awards is made possible by hundreds of donors who supported CTO in 2025. Twelve school tuition organizations, like CTO, are granted authority in Iowa under the School Tuition Organization Tax Credit law enacted in 2006 to incentivize non-public contributions to fund tuition grants for low- and middle-income students in Iowa to attend accredited, nonpublic schools in the state.
Tax credit-funded tuition grants from CTO can only be awarded to families that are below 400% of federal poverty guidelines under rules established by the state of Iowa. For a family of four, the limit would be $132,000 in total income as demonstrated on their 2025 tax return.
In the Diocese of Des Moines, CTO awards are the first monies applied to student tuition expenses.
Donors who have a state income tax liability have access to a 75% tax credit - the most generous tax credit in Iowa - through a CTO donation. For donors this is a significant way to reduce out-of-pocket tax expenses. However, the primary donor motivation is to help needy students attend a Catholic school.
Any tax credit greater than their 2025 tax liability may be credited to their tax liability for the following five tax years or until depleted, whichever is earlier.
The remaining 25% of the donation may be eligible to be used as a tax deduction for those who itemize on their federal return. Donors should speak with their tax professional for advice.
Eligible donors in 2026 under state law include those expecting to pay Iowa state income tax for the calendar year, including individuals, some trusts and estates, partnerships, limited liability companies, S-corporations and C-corporations. There is no limit in state law as to the amount of a single tax credit that can be granted by an STO.
For more information on CTO tuition grants or donating, contact Brian Tingleff, Director at 515-237-5010 or btingleff@dmdiocese.org.