Taxpayer-funded scholarship organization releases 2014 financials

Georgia taxpayers gave $15.8 million to 4,314 students to attend private K-12 schools last year, according to a new financial report from the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program.

The nonprofit entity collects money from the state as directed by donors who get an income tax credit for their contribution. In 2014, taxpayers contributed $18.8 million to GOAL, the largest so-called student scholarship organization created after passage of the state’s 2008 Qualified Education Expense Credit law.

GOAL spent $1.3 million on payroll, marketing, investment advisory fees and other costs, including $110,223 transferred to other student scholarship organizations. Total expenses in 2014, including the scholarships, were $17.1 million. Total revenues, including donations, investment income and in-kind contributions, were $19.5 million.