All public schools in the state of Ohio are funded through state & local taxes, state, local, & federal grants, fees, donations, and enterprise operations. The vast majority of Crestline's operating revenues come from a combination of local funding and state-level support through the state foundation.

The majority of local funding comes from real property taxes, which are taxes levied on land and structures within the Crestline Exempted Village School District.

Income tax levies can be another local revenue source for schools. Crestline Exempted Village School District currently collects no income tax.

Additional local income was derrived from a tax place on furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) of local businesses, but this tax, known as tangible personal property tax, has been eliminated through legislation. This elimination represented a significant decrease in revenue for the Crestline Exempted Village School District.

Federal grants and entitlements make up a very small portion of Crestline's operating revenues. These grants and entittlements are primarily directed for purposes such as reading instruction, technology, and special needs. The federal government does not generally fund operations of public K12 schools in the United States.

The State Foundation is the system the state uses that controls and appropriates funding for public school districts. The Foundation uses a complex formula that accounts for sctudent enrollment, local taxes revenues, special needs ratios, as well as other metrics to arrive at an annual funding amount, disbused in twice-monthly payments. As of the 2011-12 school year, the state foundation payments comprised about 46% of Crestline's operating revenues.

Homestead Reimbursements are payments to the district for credits given to property owners on their tax bills by the state. This amount varies year to year due to the valuation of property and total real estate tax receipts for the district.