Our mission

The Catholic Education Opportunity Fund (CEOF) is a national 501(c)(3) Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, CEOF will work with participating Catholic schools to connect Federal Scholarship Tax Credit contributions with scholarship opportunities for students and families — preserving each school's charism while managing compliance, donor tools, and scholarship administration.

Why CEOF exists

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, effective Jan. 1, 2027, opens a new federal channel for funding K-12 scholarships. Diocesan-aligned solutions and secular national SGOs are forming to participate. But Catholic schools sponsored by religious orders cross diocesan and state lines and have, until now, lacked a charism-aware national partner.

CEOF fills that gap. We are a quiet, competent partner. We work for the schools, not the other way around.

Sponsor

The Lasallian sponsorship anchors CEOF in a 350-year tradition of educating young people, especially those in need. Our partnerships extend beyond the Lasallian network to other Catholic schools rooted in religious orders and independent Catholic communities.

Leadership

Joseph Esser

DIRECTOR

Joe leads the Catholic Education Opportunity Fund through formation, partner-school onboarding, and the launch of FSTC contribution acceptance on Jan. 1, 2027. He brings extensive experience in Catholic education and nonprofit leadership.

jesser@catholicopportunity.org

Financial transparency

CEOF is committed to full financial transparency. Audited financial statements, annual reports, and SGO certifications will be published on this site as they become available. Donors and partner schools may request specific financial information at any time.

Contact

To partner as a school, support CEOF as a donor, or learn more about the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, please contact us.