Native son of Kalamazoo diocese honored by NCEA for role in persuading Congress to approve new policy to benefit students
KALAMAZOO — Anthony J. “Tony” de Nicola, a Michigan native whose advocacy was crucial to passage of the new Federal Education Tax Credit (FETC) expected to generate millions in support for K-12 education nationwide, was recently recognized by the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) with its Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for his longstanding commitment to Catholic education and expanding education opportunities for families.
A native of Albion, Michigan, and the Diocese of Kalamazoo, de Nicola co-founded and currently chairs the Invest in Education Foundation. The foundation led the national effort to persuade Congress to enact the FETC, which allows married taxpayers filing jointly to claim up to $3,400 in tax credits (or up to $1,700 for single filers) for donating to nonprofits that award scholarships that benefit K-12 students in public and nonpublic schools.
“Tony de Nicola and his family have been connected to Saint John the Evangelist Parish for generations. We are proud of his selfless dedication to strengthening support for Catholic Schools across the country,” Kalamazoo Bishop Edward M. Lohse said in a statement. “His education at St. John’s Catholic School was foundational to his life and his faith, which propelled him into great success and extraordinary service to the Church. The Elizabeth Ann Seton Award is a fitting recognition of his leadership and generosity, in helping to pass the Federal Education Tax Credit law that will have a lasting impact for Catholic Schools and the lives of families across the country.”
Since he co-founded Invest in Education in 2012, de Nicola has worked to increase scholarships for more children to access a Catholic education. He also serves on the boards of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund and The Catholic Foundation for the Archdiocese of New York, in addition to several other roles with the Archdiocese of New York.
He was honored during the 2026 NCEA Gala, which took place earlier this fall in Washington, D.C. The gala gathered more than 500 Catholic educators, Church leaders, benefactors, and supporters from across the country to celebrate individuals whose exceptional leadership, service, and commitment have made a lasting impact on Catholic education.
The launch of the FETC on Jan. 1, 2027, marks a significant opportunity to help Catholic education and expand education access on a national scale. For Michigan students to benefit, however, Michigan's governor must opt the state into the program. The Michigan Catholic Conference, the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Michigan, has been encouraging the governor to do so as part of its broader advocacy efforts to bring the FETC to Michigan to assist public and nonpublic students alike.
“Catholic schools have long been a cornerstone of Michigan communities, providing students with a strong academic foundation and a faith-centered education that prepares them for lifelong success,” said Paul A. Long, president and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference. “The new Federal Education Tax Credit Program presents an extraordinary opportunity to build upon our tradition of private philanthropy, strengthen Catholic schools, and make a Catholic education more accessible and affordable for families across Michigan. By expanding access to privately funded scholarships, we can open doors for more children and help ensure every family has the opportunity to choose the education that best meets their child’s needs.”
More than half of states have already agreed to opt into the FETC ahead of its 2027 start date when taxpayers can begin claiming the tax credit for donating to nonprofit scholarship-granting organizations that benefit students. While taxpayers in all states can claim the credit, only children attending schools in states that opted in can benefit from those dollars.
It is imperative that Michigan opt in to capitalize on the opportunity to raise private donations to help families pay for out-of-pocket education expenses like tuition or tutoring. In addition to assisting families access Catholic education, Catholic parents of public school children also stand to benefit from FETC-funded scholarships to pay for expenses such as special needs services, technology, and more.
This article was co-authored and submitted by the Invest in Education Foundation and the Michigan Catholic Conference. It is republished with permission.
