Opportunity Fund for Jewish Education launched to facilitate federal tax credits

A consortium of Jewish organizations has launched the Opportunity Fund for Jewish Education, a national Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) designed to facilitate a new federal tax credit program. The initiative is supported by the Orthodox Union, Teach Coalition, Jewish Federations of North America, and Prizmah.

Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 by contributing to the fund. These donations are intended to provide scholarship support for K-12 students in participating yeshivos and day schools. The fund is structured to allow for national scale while enabling contributors to designate funds to local schools.

The program stems from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allows for these tax breaks provided donations are made through an SGO. Currently, 31 states have opted into the tax credit initiative. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates the program could lead to $500 million in donations to SGOs.