Helios Education Foundation exists to support postsecondary attainment for all students, especially low-income and historically underrepresented communities, in Arizona and Florida. For more than 20 years, and driven by our fundamental beliefs of Community, Equity, Investment, and Partnership, Helios has invested more than $350 million in partnerships and initiatives focused on improving education outcomes in the two states we serve.
We take a multi-pronged approach—working across four domains, including performance-based community investments, systemic public policy efforts, research and data, and impact-driven communications—that together support the significant changes required to foster equitable progress across the education continuum.
Our Vision
COMMUNITY
We believe that education can change lives for individuals and strengthen communities.
INVESTMENT
We believe college is an investment that comes with the expectation of a return.
EQUITY
We believe every student, regardless of zip code, deserves a high-quality education that will prepare them to succeed in postsecondary education.
PARTNERSHIP
Collaboration and partnership are in our DNA. We believe that to achieve our mission, it requires partnership and collaboration.
Our Core Beliefs
Helios Education Foundation was created in 2004 through the conversion and reorganization of the nonprofit Southwest Student Services Corporation (Southwest), a student loan provider and servicer in Arizona and Florida, and its affiliates, led by Southwest's President and CEO, Vince Roig. At the time of the reorganization, Southwest was the eighth-largest holder of federally insured student loans in the country. Southwest was sold to SLM Corporation in October 2004 for more than $500 million, the net proceeds of which funded the endowment of Helios Education Foundation.
With Mr. Roig as Helios' Founder and Board Chair at the helm, the organization's founding board guided the foundation's mission to give back to students in these two states by creating Helios Education Foundation.
Since its inception, Helios has invested more than $350 million across Arizona and Florida to improve students’ success and their long-term quality of life.
Our History
Helios Education Foundation's Community Investments are directed by the following guidelines and criteria:
Helios Education Foundation only accepts solicited requests for funding.
Helios Education Foundation does not support capital campaigns, nor will it provide support to schools for general operating funds, teacher recruitment, professional development or classroom materials unless related to a specific program or initiative to be funded.
All organizations receiving funding must meet the following criteria:
- Be a qualified 501(c)(3) organization that has been in existence for at least two years or a public entity;
- Provide services or programs within Arizona and/or Florida; and
- Be an educational organization that provides instruction, training or improvements to individual capabilities (e.g. school, college or university); or an education support organization (e.g. Local Education Fund, reform support organization or other education-related intermediary); or a group which provides instruction to the public on subjects useful and beneficial to the community (e.g. cultural organization or community-based organization).
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion remains at the forefront of our work. We are committed to advancing educational excellence and success through the lens of equity and social justice. We are laser-focused on closing achievement gaps and increasing postsecondary attainment. We are embracing civic learning and civic engagement. And, we will continue to raise our voice in support of the value that diversity brings to our schools and our communities.
Please continue to join us in these efforts. Together, we can create the kind of communities in which all individuals are respected and our students have what they need to succeed.
Call for Equity