EducationBrief
Denver parents plan scholarship fund for three public schools
A proposed neighborhood fund would serve students at three schools as a federal scholarship tax credit program prepares to begin in 2027, subject to participation rules.
The numbers
- Intended Denver schools in the proposed fund: East High, Morey Middle and McAuliffe International
- 3 schools
Parents at three Denver public schools are organizing a proposed scholarship fund to help local students, Chalkbeat reported on November 11.
The effort, called the Denver Neighborhood Education Fund, is intended for students at East High School, Morey Middle School and McAuliffe International School. Organizers hope it can help students access after-school and summer programs.
Chalkbeat reported that East High parent Greg Graeber wants donations to benefit his neighborhood school.
The Internal Revenue Service lists Colorado among states that had elected to participate for 2027, as of October 22, 2026.
Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals may be able to claim a federal scholarship tax credit for certain cash contributions to scholarship-granting organizations, the IRS says. Before an individual can claim it, the state or District of Columbia must choose to participate and provide the agency with a list of participating organizations.
Chalkbeat also reported a concern from Jon Valant, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings: donations directed to a donor’s own school community could favor communities with more resources.
What we don't know yet
- If the proposed fund becomes a participating scholarship-granting organization, what student offerings and award criteria would it adopt?
- Through what process might the proposed fund seek inclusion on Colorado’s participating-organization list?
Sources cited
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