Arizona Lutheran Scholarship (ALSO) executives get together for photo after meeting to review ALSO’s record-breaking scholarship awards. Pictured left to right are David Bolio (treasurer), Hans Naumann (president), Harvey Zehnder (founding president) and Rollie Baumann (former finance executive). All are ALSO volunteers, Sun Lakes residents, and members of Risen Savior Lutheran Church.
Sun Lakes’ resident Hans Naumann announced that scholarship awards from the Arizona Lutheran Scholarship Organization (ALSO) have reached $1,681,000. Awards for the 2013/2014 period reached a record $206,000 which was 14 percent above the previous year. Naumann stated, “We are grateful to the many contributors who have helped us distribute almost $1.7 million in scholarships to needy children since ALSO was founded in 2002. The amazing thing is that by utilizing Arizona state tax credits, it did not cost any of our donors even a dime to fund their contributions.”
ALSO is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that was founded to raise scholarship funds that provide Christian educations to needy children in grades kindergarten through 12. Throughout its history, the ALSO founders and staff have all been volunteers of Risen Savior Church. Hans Naumann became the ALSO President in 2010. His predecessor was Harvey Zehnder (a long-time Sun Lakes resident). Zehnder commented, “Because ALSO has no paid officers, directors or staff, our only operating expenses have been used for a small amount of advertising and promotional materials. As a result, well over 90 percent of ALSO donations have been used to fund scholarships for students.”
Two other key ALSO volunteer leaders and Sun Lakes residents are Rollie Baumann and David Bolio, who have directed the finance operations. Baumann said, “To those who are unaware, for every ‘redirected’ tax dollar that Arizona residents donate to ALSO, they receive an Arizona tax credit equal to the amount of their donation.” Bolio added, “It is important to understand that tax credits are not the same as deductions. For example, if you owe $3,000 in state income tax and you donate $800, you may subtract the $800 from your tax bill and pay the state of Arizona $2,200. There is no cost to you. Married persons filing jointly may donate up to $2,106 and single taxpayers up to $1,053 per year.”
President Naumann added, “It’s so easy to turn your tax credits into scholarships. You can help a child in need receive a Christian education at no cost to you. In Arizona, tax credits really do make a difference!”
Persons interested in learning more about ALSO can visit www.alsosto.org or reach Hans Naumann at 480-895-8194.