For donors
Give what you already owe.
Give to JEFA and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit up to $1,700 per year. Unused credit carries forward up to five years.
Learn about giving
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How it works
Starting January 1, 2027, the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit lets you redirect up to $1,700 of the taxes you already owe to a qualified Scholarship Granting Organization, and receive that full amount back, dollar for dollar.
JEFA is a 501(c)(3) SGO built to bring those dollars to Jewish day schools and yeshivas. At least 90% goes directly to scholarships for tuition, tutoring, textbooks and special-education services.
Step 1: Donate to JEFA
Give any amount up to $1,700, on or after January 1, 2027, and choose the Jewish school your gift supports.
Step 2: JEFA awards scholarships
We verify each family's eligibility under the federal rules. At least 90% of every donation becomes scholarship money, by law.
Step 3: A child is funded
Paid directly to the school and credited to the family's tuition account — tuition, tutoring, textbooks, special-education services.
Step 4: You claim the credit
The full amount comes off your federal taxes, dollar for dollar. What you can't use this year carries forward up to five years.
Who it's for
For families
Help that goes straight to your school.
Scholarships fund tuition, tutoring, textbooks, and special-education services. Households earning up to 300% of area median income qualify.
See if you qualifyFor schools
A scholarship fund you don’t have to run.
Partner with JEFA to bring dedicated scholarship dollars to your families, stabilizing tuition and strengthening enrollment. We handle compliance and reporting.
Become a partnerFAQ
If you owe at least what you give in federal tax, no — the full amount comes back as a dollar-for-dollar credit. The credit is non-refundable, so it can bring your tax to zero but not below; whatever you can't use this year carries forward up to five years.
An SGO is a registered 501(c)(3) approved to receive tax-credit contributions and award them as scholarships. JEFA is a national SGO built to bring these dollars to Jewish day schools and yeshivas.
It depends which side you're on. Donors in any state can give and claim the federal credit. Scholarships, though, can only be awarded to families in states that have opted in — each governor files a list of approved SGOs with the Treasury every year. Our state map shows where every state stands.
Yes. You can contribute any amount up to the $1,700 cap and receive a credit for exactly what you give. Every dollar goes to work funding a child's education.
Be first in line
Pre-register with JEFA today and we'll make sure your contribution — and your credit — are locked in the moment the program opens on January 1, 2027.