Catholic Tuition Organization

12/30/2025

There's still time to go online and make a gift to CTO and receive a tax credit for 2025. 11:59 PM on December 31 to be exact! Don't wait for the ball to drop!

CTO is a school tuition organization in Des Moines dedicated to raising funds to provide tuition assistance to qualifying families attending Catholic schools in IA.

12/25/2025

Have a blessed and happy day with family and friends! Merry Christmas from CTO! 🎅🎄

12/08/2025

Now's the time to make an end of the year gift! Don't wait to make a stock gift with only three weeks left! Security transfer instructions can be found on our resources page at

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from our CTO families to yours!

11/06/2025

Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Help Catholic Students and Save on State Taxes for 2025

Gifts to CTO made before year end will help support qualified students during the 2026-27 School Year

In January, the CTO Office fielded calls from donors wondering where their tax certificates were for 2024 – unfortunately they forgot to make a gift at any time before the end of the year – and didn’t receive a certificate! Even more frustrating, donors last year waited too late into December to make a gift of stock, and the transaction wasn’t completed until early January, also missing the deadline for 2024.

Don’t let this happen to you. Uncertain if you’ve already made a gift? Pick up the telephone and give us a call to verify – 515-237-5010. Planning a year end gift of appreciated stock? Start the process by December 15 to avoid a holiday interruption or vacation plan by others getting in the way of your transaction and give us a call to keep watch for your gift’s arrival. We’ll give you a quick call when it arrives or warn you if we haven’t seen it as the clock ticks down, so you can follow up.

Gifts made in calendar year 2025 create the opportunities for families meeting federal poverty guidelines to remain in or begin attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Des Moines for the 2026-27 school year. Your gift now makes a significant difference in the lives of these families. For the current school year, CTO is directing donor contributions to assist 1,900+ students attending one of our 16 Catholic schools. To qualify, families must be below 400% of the federal poverty limit.

Donors in 2025 will qualify for a 75% Iowa tax credit for the value of their donation. Donors may designate 75% of their gift to one or more of the schools that means the most to them. Visit www.CTOiowa.org/online-donation to make a gift today. Gifts of grain and livestock are also accepted, but a call to the CTO Office to confirm arrangements is appreciated.

For more information on CTO tuition grants or donating, contact Brian Tingleff, Director at 515-237-5010 or [email protected].

04/20/2025

He is risen indeed! Wishing you a happy Easter full of blessings from CTO!

04/14/2025

One day left to apply for CTO! Deadline is by midnight April 15. Your 2024 taxes need to be submitted with your application to be considered for an award. CTO dollars are the first dollars in, so apply even with the ESA to save more! Go to www.fairapp.com to apply or scan the QR code.

04/02/2025

Have you applied for tuition assistance from CTO yet? Only two weeks left to get your application in at www.fairapp.com. Use school code 450 and password 450ddm. DEADLINE is APRIL 15TH. Your 2024 taxes must be submitted to finalize your application.

01/29/2025

Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors who truly believe in the value of Catholic education, the Catholic Tuition Organization (CTO) Board of Directors will award more than $2.1 million to eligible students for the 2025-26 School Year.
Starting on February 1, 2025, CTO will begin accepting applications for tuition grants to assist families earning up to 400% of the 2025 federal poverty guidelines. The guidelines are specific to family size as reported on federal tax returns. The deadline for accepting application closes on April 15, 2025.
CTO tuition grants are the first dollars applied to tuition expenses at Catholic schools in the Diocese of Des Moines. Families meeting the federal guidelines are encouraged to apply to CTO in addition to the funding they anticipate receiving from an Education Saving Account (ESA) for the 2025-26 School Year, which will help to maximize educational support.
Families can apply online by visiting the link www.fairapp.com. In order to complete the application, families will need to have their 2024 federal taxes completed. Families needing assistance can contact their local Catholic school for more information about this important source of tuition assistance.

01/10/2025

Welcome Brian to CTO! We are excited to have you!

Brian Tingleff is named director of the Catholic Tuition Organization in the Diocese of Des Moines.

01/01/2025

We wish you all a Happy New Year 2025! Thank you to all who made 2024 so wonderful! God bless!

12/30/2024

2024 Iowa Tax Credits are STILL AVAILABLE! Donations can be made online at www.CTOIOWA.com until midnight on Dec 31st to receive your 2024 credits. Checks can be mailed as long as they are postmarked by the 31st.