Give back to get back.

Empower education in your community. 

Enjoy bigger savings on your tax bill.


What is GO for Tahlequah?

You pay state income taxes to support public schools. What if you could specify which communities you support? Now you can!


When you give to Education Tax Credit Fund, you empower education and support students in your community — and get a tax credit too!

GO for Tahlequah is great for...

Students & Families

  • Cultivates every student’s potential and puts them on the path to success
  • Improves individual student outcomes
  • Breaks down educational barriers for students from every background
  • Gives students from your community a more equal opportunity

Schools & Teachers

  • Helps our schools engage, support and empower educational professionals
  • Keeps great teachers in your community
  • Empowers teachers to develop innovative programs
  • Creates a new and reliable funding source to fix issues and seize opportunities

Tahlequah Community

  • Establishes a strong and vibrant Tahlequah Public School system 
  • Creates a new, incremental funding source for higher-quality schools
  • Keeps funds in your community, leading to economic and workforce growth
  • Helps attract and retain talent who want a strong public school system

You

  • Empowers you to support the public school system in your community
  • Turns your tax dollars into support for Tahlequah — not somewhere else
  • Creates bigger savings for you with a tax credit, not a tax deduction
  • Gives you the opportunity to make a real difference

How it works.

Transform your state income tax dollars into funding for Tahlequah Public Schools. You’ll help students, families, teachers, and the community, plus get a tax credit, which saves you more than a tax deduction.

Two Contribution Options

Your support makes a difference!

Two-Year Contribution

Make a two-year contribution, get

75%

of your contribution as a state income tax credit each year.

One-Year Contribution

Make a single contribution, get

50%

of your contribution as a state income tax credit each year.

Three Contributor Types

(based on tax filing status)

Individuals

Earn up to

$1,000

each year

Married Couples

Earn up to

$2,000

each year

Businesses

Earn up to

$100K

each year

Testimonials

Tanya Jones

Superintendent, Tahlequah Public Schools

“GO for Tahlequah gives our community a great opportunity to build an even stronger school system. As funding for public schools continues to be an obstacle in Oklahoma, GO for Tahlequah Public Schools provides additional resources to help our students not only develop a strong educational foundation, but to access other innovative programs that will allow them to excel and own their future.”

Nikki Molloy

Special Services Director, Tahlequah Public Schools

“One of the things I like most about the GO program is that it is focused on empowering our community and taking care of the Oklahoma taxpayer by identifying, developing and investing in innovative programs that elevate education and that have a compelling return on investment to the taxpayer.”

Lori Walker

Board Member, TPS

"Let’s support our local students and teachers by bringing some of our Oklahoma tax dollars back home to Tahlequah! TPS, assisted by GO for Public Schools, has launched an education tax credit program that allows individuals and businesses to earn Oklahoma income tax credits by contributing to benefit Tahlequah Public Schools. Local money being directly invested in our local school district empowers Tahlequah's future."

Let the Tigers ROAR!

Remove Obstacles and Achieve Results

Bring some of your tax dollars back home to Tahlequah to support the mission of Tahlequah Public Schools!



A message from our Superintendent.

Dear Supporters of Tahlequah Public Schools:


Recent changes to state law have created a unique opportunity for businesses and families that support our public schools to earn a significant state income tax credit in the process. The money contributed helps to fund innovative educational programs and will allow us to expand our current educational programs to enhance the learning experiences for all students in Tahlequah Public Schools.


To support our goal of making the benefits of Oklahoma’s education tax credit law more accessible to our entire community, TPS is collaborating with GO for Public Schools, a qualified educational improvement granting organization in the State of Oklahoma established in 2018 specifically to serve public schools.


Please take a few minutes to review the information on this page about the GO for Tahlequah Tax Credit Fund and become more familiar with the benefits. By contributing through GO for Tahlequah, you earn a state income tax credit worth up to 75% of the amount contributed, not just a tax deduction. It also puts your tax dollars to work right here in Tahlequah where our children will see a direct impact, almost immediately.


Thank you in advance for considering making a contribution to benefit students, families, teachers and public schools in our community. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions.


Sincerely,


Tanya Jones

Superintendent


GO for Tahlequah FAQs

  • Does GO funding change how much state public funding Tahlequah Public Schools receives?

    No! GO funding does not disturb or change funding allocated to Tahlequah Public Schools under the state funding formula. Think of GO contributions as funding that adds to traditional public school funding.

  • Can I contribute both individually/jointly and through my business?

    Yes, you can contribute both individually (as a single person) or jointly (as a married couple) and through a legal business entity that you control; however, the business contribution route is generally better from a tax perspective and can allow you to maximize your tax savings.

  • How can a tax credit save me more than a tax deduction?

    Think of a tax credit as a gift card that you can use to pay your taxes. Tax credits directly reduce your tax burden on a dollar-for-dollar basis regardless of your marginal tax rate.  On the other hand, the value of a tax deduction depends on several factors specific to each taxpayer, including whether you itemize deductions and your marginal tax rate.  A tax deduction only reduces the base of your taxable income and therefore only indirectly reduces your tax burden by saving you cents on the dollar.

  • Where does my contribution go?

    Your GO for Tahlequah contributions go to support the Tahlequah community by funding innovative educational programs in Tahlequah schools.  Such innovative programs are focused on improving student educational outcomes, enhancing the overall quality of a Tahlequah school education, achieving the strategic plan of Tahlequah Public Schools, and assisting Tahlequah Public Schools in achieving its broader mission for the community.

  • Can I designate my contribution to benefit specific schools or programs?

    Yes! Each contributor may select particular Schools, Programs, or Funds to support and designate a portion of their contribution to each per the Fund Designation Policy. 


    This policy establishes the parameters for such designations so GO for Tahlequah can achieve its mission in a way that promotes financial sustainability and educational equity. The policy also provides the flexibility necessary to meet the overall program goals of improving educational outcomes and being responsive to community needs and priorities. 

Our 2024 Contribution Goal

$250,000

Empower education in your community.

Enjoy bigger savings on your tax bill.