ALABAMA OPPORTUNITYSCHOLARSHIP FUND

C R E A T I N G B R I G H T E R F U T U R E S .

Donating YourTax Liabilitymade easys t e p - b y - s t e p g u i d e

What We DoThe Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund (AOSF) empowers families to choose the school that best fits their child’s unique educational needs. AOSF provides scholarships to low-income, K-12 children who are not succeeding in their current environment. Scholarships are funded by the donation of corporate and individual Alabama income tax liability for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AOSF currently funds over 2,000 students who attend one of 150 AOSF partner schools in 39 Alabama counties.

-Governor Jeb BushChairman, Foundation for Excellence in Education

You can change a life at no cost to you.

Who We AreAOSF leads the way statewide in providing thousands of low-income children the educational opportunity that will give them a successful future. For the 2016-2017 school year, AOSF invested $11.7 million in education around the state.

AOSF is governed by an unpaid, volunteer board of directors:

"School choice improves the chance of all children to be able to get a quality education. That is what we need in this country: to be able to succeed and thrive. It is essential for Alabama's success. We are encouraging Alabama businesses and individuals to make a contribution to the scholarship organization so low-income kids can gain the power of knowledge."

Chad Fincher, Chairman Reverend H.K. Matthews John F. Kirtley

John Cooper Joe Pfountz Fr. Richard Donohoe

Anne White Tommy Lee Page Stalcup

$ 4 2million dollars distributedsince 2014.

7 , 8 6 5scholarships to low-income children in 39 counties.

1 5 0 s c h o o l spartner with AOSF to provide students with more education options.

Donate your tax liability. It’s easy, and it’s cost-free.

- William J. Canary, President and CEO of Business Council of Alabama

Scholarship Need by CountyMobile/Baldwin CountiesMontgomery CountyJefferson County*Madison CountyBlackbelt Counties**Tuscaloosa County23 Other Counties

“For every dollar you put into this program, you transform a life, you create a future. I don't know too many other programs where you can get that type of return."

$3.6M - 674 students$2.6M - 442 students$2.2.M – 367 students$1.2M - 213 students$1M – 152 students$280,000 - 48 students$1.3M - 222 students

*(includes Birmingham, Fairfield, and Bessemer)**(includes Dallas, Perry, Sumter, Barbour, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Perry, and Wilcox)

CountyTotal

AwardedCounty

Total Awarded

Autauga County 1 Lowndes County 4Baldwin County 13 Macon County 10Barbour County 4 Madison County 213Bullock County 30 Marshall County 5Calhoun County 14 Mobile County 661

Chambers County 42 Montgomery County 442Chilton County 6 Morgan County 2Clarke County 1 Perry County 6Clay County 8 Pickens County 2

Dallas County 112 Pike County 8DeKalb County 1 Randolph County 1Elmore County 6 Russell County 11Etowah County 7 Shelby County 8Greene County 8 St. Clair County 12

Hale County 1 Talladega County 4Houston County 1 Tuscaloosa County 48Jefferson County 367 Walker County 4

Lauderdale County 4 Washington County 5Lee County 5 Wilcox County 1

Limestone County 10

Change the lives ofAlabama students.2016-2017 Student Awards

AOSF invested nearly $12 million in scholarships this past school year to over 2,000 children in 39 Alabama counties. AOSF seeks to partner with all non-failing public schools and with all 183 private schools approved by the Alabama Department of Revenue.

"I will be able to see great things I have achieved through them. Seeing them walk down the aisle with their gown and cap on - I'm already proud of them, but it will make me more tearful and joyful to see that happen. I just never knew so many people cared about my kids' education."

- Larry Newbie, AOSF Grandparent

Invest Responsiblyin Alabama education.At AOSF, we value accountability in our organization as well as in the schools with which we participate. Schools must comply with accreditation and student testing standards and must complete background checks following state protocol.

AOSF provides frequent reports to the Alabama Department of Revenue and is audited annually by the national accounting firm RSM US, LLP.

AOSF is a subsidiary of the Florida tax-credit scholarship granting organization Step Up for Students (SUFS).

Charity Navigator ranks Step Up for Students as its 4th top charity in the nation.

The typical AOSF child...

Lives near poverty. The average household income is $28,189.

Is a minority. 83% of AOSF students are minorities.

Is at a higher risk of falling behind.*

Feels safer in their new school environment.**

*According to a 2014 report by the Business Education Alliance of Alabama.**According to a collaborative parent survey by AOSF and the American Federation for Children.

“Donating to AOSF is a win-win for many Alabama taxpayers and some extraordinary children. I encourage all my friends to consider supporting these students. It's really a no-brainer. And I encourage them not to wait until year-end but consider donating right now."

-Bruce Ely, Partner, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

AOSF Partner SchoolsAutauga CountyEast Memorial Christian Academy Autauga Academy

Baldwin CountyChrist the King Catholic SchoolSt. Benedict Catholic SchoolSt. Michael Catholic High School St. Patrick School

Barbour CountyThe Lakeside SchoolParkview Christian School

Bibb CountyCahawba Christian Academy

Bullock CountyConecuh Springs Christian Academy

Calhoun County Jacksonville Christian AcademySacred Heart Catholic SchoolTrinity Christian Academy

Chambers CountyChambers AcademySpringwood School

Chilton CountyChilton Christian Academy

Clarke County Jackson Academy

Clay County Clay County Christian AcademyFirst Assembly Christian School

Crenshaw County Crenshaw Christian Academy

Cullman County Vinemont Christian Academy

Dallas CountyCathedral Christian AcademyEllwood Christian Academy

Jefferson County cont’dMaranathan AcademyMt. Pilgrim Christian Academy New Generation Christian School New Life Christian School of Excellence Northside Christian SchoolOur Lady of Fatima Catholic School Our Lady of Sorrows SchoolPrince of Peace Catholic School R. A. Hudson Christian AcademySaint Rose AcademyShades Mountain Christian School St. Aloysius Catholic SchoolSt. Barnabas Regional School St. Francis Xavier SchoolTabernacle Christian School Winewood Christian School

Lauderdale CountyMars Hill Bible SchoolShoals Christian School

Lee County Glenwood School

Limestone County Lindsay Lane Christian Academy

Macon County St. Joseph Catholic School

Madison County Big Cove Christian AcademyFirst Missionary BaptistGrace Lutheran SchoolGreengate SchoolHoly Family Regional SchoolHuntsville Achievement SchoolHuntsville Christian AcademyMontessori School of HuntsvilleOakwood Adventist AcademyRhema Word MinistriesSt. John Paul II Catholic High School St. John the Baptist Catholic School Union Chapel Christian Academy Valley Fellowship Christian Academy

Dallas County cont’dMcRae Learning CenterMeadowview Christian School

DeKalb CountyCornerstone Christian Academy

Elmore CountyPrattville Christian Academy

Escambia CountyEscambia Academy

Etowah County Coosa Christian SchoolHoly Comforter Episcopal Day School St. James Catholic SchoolGreene CountyLighthouse Christian School

Henry County Abbeville Christian Academy

Houston CountyWestgate Christian School

Jackson County Floral Crest School

Jefferson County The Alabama School of Fine ArtsThe American AcademyThe Arlington SchoolBrentwood Christian AcademyBriarwood Christian School Brooklane Baptist Academy Calvary Resurrection Christian Academy Central Park Christian School Ephesus AcademyGardendale Christian AcademyHoly Family Catholic Academy Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School Hoover Christian SchoolIntegrity Christian AcademyJohn Carroll Catholic High School

AOSF Partner Schools cont’d

Marengo County West Alabama Christian School

Marshall County Marshall Christian School

Mobile County Alabama School of Math and Science Corpus Christi Catholic School Cottage Hill Christian Academy Covenant Christian School Emmanuel Junior Academy Faith Academy of Mobile Government Street Christian School Grace Temple Christian Academy Knollwood Christian SchoolLittle Flower Catholic School LWCC Kingdom AcademyMcGill-Toolen Catholic High School Mobile Christian SchoolMobile Junior AcademyMost Pure Heart of Mary Catholic School North Mobile Christian School Prichard Preparatory School Revelation Christian School Safe Haven Christian AcademySt. Dominic Catholic SchoolSt. Ignatius Catholic SchoolSt. Luke’s Episcopal School St. John's School for TomorrowSt. Mary Catholic School St. Pius X Catholic SchoolSt. Vincent De Paul Catholic School Trinity Lutheran

Montgomery CountyAlabama Christian Academy Bethany Christian Academy Canterbury High School Churchill Academy Holy Cross Episcopal SchoolHooper Academy Lighthouse Christian Academy Macon East AcademyMontgomery Adventist School

Montgomery County cont’d Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Resurrection Catholic School The Rock SchoolSuccess Unlimited Academy Sylvan Learning Center Montgomery Trinity Presbyterian SchoolValiant Cross Academy

Morgan County Bethel Baptist School Decatur Heritage Christian Academy

Perry County Marion Academy

Pike County New Life Christian Academy

Shelby CountyBriarwood Christian SchoolKingwood Christian School

St. Clair County Bible Methodist Christian School Victory Christian School

Sumter County UWA Campus School

Tallapoosa County Lyman Ward Military Academy

Tuscaloosa County American Christian Academy Holy Spirit Catholic School The Capitol School Riverwood Classical SchoolTuscaloosa Academy Tuscaloosa Christian School

Walker County Sumiton Christian School

AOSF Partner Schools

Barbour County Barbour County High School

Bullock County Bullock County High School

Chambers County Lafayette High SchoolLanett Junior High School

Dallas County Keith Middle-High SchoolR. B. Hudson Middle School

Selma High School

Greene County Greene County High School

Jefferson CountyBessemer City High SchoolGeroge Washington Carver HighSchoolHayes K-8Hemphill Elementary SchoolHuffman High School-MagnetJackson-Olin High SchoolParker High School

Montgomery County

Perry County Francis Marion SchoolRobert C. Hatch High School

Sumter County Sumter Central High School

Tuscaloosa CountyCentral High SchoolUniversity Place Middle School

Washington County McIntosh High School

Wilcox CountyCamden School of Arts and TechnologyWilcox Central High School

Bibb County West Blocton High School

Calhoun County Anniston High School

Conecuh County Hillcrest High School

Southside High School

Dekalb County Crossville High School

Escambia County Escambia County High School

Robert Brown Middle School

Hale County Greensboro High School

Bellingrath Middle SchoolCapitol Heights Middle SchoolCarver Senior High SchoolChisholm Elementary SchoolFews Secondary Acceleration AcademyJefferson Davis High SchoolJohnson Elementary SchoolLanier Senior High SchoolLee High SchoolSouthlawn Middle School

Jefferson County cont’dSmith Middle SchoolSouth Hampton K-8Arrington Middle SchoolWashington Elementary School Jones Valley Middle School Wenonah High SchoolWoodlawn High School-Magnet Fairfield High Preparatory School Center Point High SchoolMcAdory High School Minor High School Pinson Valley High SchoolPleasant Grove High SchoolMidfield High School

Lowndes CountyCalhoun High SchoolCentral High SchoolFort Deposit Elementary School

Macon CountyBooker T WashingtonHighDC Wolfe School

Madison County Columbia High SchoolLee High School

Marengo CountyGeorge P. Austin Junior High School Linden Elementary SchoolLinden High School

Mobile CountyBen C Rain High SchoolBooker T Washington Middle School Mattie T Blount High SchoolC.L. Scarborough Model Middle SchoolTheodore High SchoolJohn L Leflore Magnet SchoolC.F. Vigor High SchoolLillie B. Williamson High School

Monroe County Monroe County High School

2017 Alabama Failing Schools By law Alabama gives priority to students zoned to failing public schools which are the lowest performing six percent of public schools in Alabama.

Receive your tax credit today!Alabama tax payers can donate up to 50% of their Alabama income tax liability to AOSF for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit.

Individual donations are capped at $50,000. Individuals who are subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) should contact their tax professional regarding other benefits.

"C" corporations can offset up to 50% of the corporation's Alabama income tax liability.

"S" corporations, partnerships, and LLCs can donate to AOSF. A credit claimed by one of these types of entities is passed through to its owners and the applicable credit limitations apply at the ownership level.

Donations are eligible for a charitable contribution deduction on Federal returns. Credits may be carried forward up to three years.

By following the steps in this guide, you can support hundreds of children seeking the education that's right for them.

If you have any questions, please contact Bri Jackson at 205.206.7803 or by email atbjackson@alabamascholarshipfund.org.

Nick WestMcGill-Toolen Catholic High School Graduate and AOSF Student

Nick West is one of five boys being raised by their mother, Alleane. She works hard to make sure that none of her sons became a statistic. AOSF scholarships for three of her sons have helped them succeed. In 2016, Nick graduated top of his class and was voted most likely to succeed. He now attends The University of Alabama in Huntsville on a full academic scholarship and plans to become an FBI cyber field agent. He was recently contacted by a local FBI agent who is now his mentor.

“I don’t think you can underestimate the importance of a good education. It’s the thing that brings jobs to the area that translates to future economic benefit for our community. Why would you not want to do something like that in your own community when it helps the kids, helps the future.”

-Page Stalcup, CPAAOSF Board Member

FIRSTCreate a “MAT” accounton the ADOR website www.myalabamataxes.alabama.gov.

1 You will need your social security number and your Alabama Adjusted

Gross Income (AGI) for previous year’s tax return. Federal AGI will not work.

Go to myalabamataxes.alabama.gov. On the MAT home page, click the “Sign up here” link below the "Sign in" button (see image below).2

3

4

From drop down box, scroll down to choose “Individual Income Tax”, and

add your social security number and your previous year’s Alabama AGI.

Choose a username, password, “secret question”, and “secret

answer” (see below).

5

6

Enter your personal contact information.

Determine whether or not to allow others to access your account.

7

8

Print this screen or write this information down. Then, log on to the

ADOR website and check your email account.

You will receive an email similar to the one below with an

Authorization Code that you will use the first time you log into the

MAT system. This completes the ADOR MAT registration process.

NEXTReserve your donation to the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fundand receive your Alabama tax credit.

1 Estimate your current tax year liability. Individuals may reserve up to 50%

of their estimated income tax liability capped at $50,000. Companies may

reserve up to 50% of their estimated income tax liability with no cap.

Return to the myalabamataxes.alabama.gov website.

On the MAT home page, click “My Alabama Taxes” on the upper left

side (see below).2

3

4

Sign in with your newly created username and password. You will be

prompted to enter the Authorization Code sent to your email account.

Once you are signed in, click on “Report a Donation to an SGO.”

5

6

Enter your personal information and select “Alabama Opportunity

Scholarship Fund” from the drop down list. Enter the exact dollar

amount of your donation and submit.

Finally, print your confirmation and mail your check the same day.

Checks must be for the same amount as the donation amount

entered on MAT.

TAX RECEIPTS: Once AOSF receives your check, we will verify your tax

credit and send you a receipt. The Department of Revenue will send

you a separate Alabama Tax Credit Receipt, which you can access

through your MAT account’s message folder.

CHECKS PAYABLE:

Alabama Opportunity

Scholarship Fund

MAIL TO:

Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund

P.O. Box 59188

Birmingham, AL 35259

Thank you for partnering withAOSF.

“Our teachers are willing to make an extra effort if students are behind academically to catch them up to where they need to be. Once they close that gap, they are just as successful as our students that are already here. These kids are going to be the leaders and the business people. If they're not here and not receiving a great education, then what's going to happen to our community as a whole?"

- Mona Padgett, PrincipalConecuh Springs Christian Academy

Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: What happens if I overestimate my tax liability and pay more than 50% of my actual liability?A: You can carry your credits forward up to three years in the future.

Q: Can I direct my funds to a school or student?A: The law does not allow for donor designation.

If you have any questions, please contact Bri Jackson at 205.206.7803 or by email atbjackson@alabamascholarshipfund.org.

ALABAMA OPPORTUNITYSCHOLARSHIP FUND

C R E A T I N G B R I G H T E R F U T U R E S .

Bri Jackson Director of Development

205.206.7803bjackson@alabamascholarshipfund.org

www.alabamascholarshipfund.orgP.O. Box 59188

Birmingham, AL 35259