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Helios Education Foundation
PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 942850977 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE W600 · Public & Societal Benefit · Large ($10M-$50M) · www.helios.org
revenue
$21.8M
expenses
$39.4M
net assets
$665.9M
employees
34
program ratio
88%
mission · from form 990

TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS IN ARIZONA AND FLORIDA BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

profile · synthesized from sources

Helios Education Foundation is a grantmaking organization that invests in educational initiatives in Arizona and Florida. The foundation focuses on improving outcomes for low-income and historically underrepresented students by supporting programs that enhance third-grade reading proficiency, increase college enrollment, and boost postsecondary degree attainment.

named programs · 17 · from sources

what they call their work

Arizona College Connect
An innovative FAFSA database providing authorized high school and district personnel with student-level FAFSA data in Arizona.
Arizona FAFSA Challenge
Annual initiative from September to April that engages high schools and districts in boosting FAFSA completion rates among seniors, supported by data access through Arizona College Connect
Arizona FAFSA Hotline
A hotline providing assistance with FAFSA completion, college applications, and enrollment steps for Arizona students.
Ask Benji
A free, 24/7 FAFSA support service for Arizona families to help with FAFSA completion and accessing financial aid.
AzCAN FAFSA Resource Hub
Provides training webinars, toolkits, and alerts for educators, counselors, and partners supporting FAFSA completion in Arizona.
Bridge 2 Life FAFSA resources
Provides FAFSA resources in Broward County, Florida, to share information about the financial aid process.
College Ready Florida
A series of statewide initiatives by FCAN aimed at supporting a college-going culture and helping students plan for, navigate, and complete postsecondary education in Florida.
Completion Scholarships
Provided to students during the COVID-19 pandemic to help them stay enrolled in higher education.
FAFSA Completion Support
Provides resources, hotlines, and digital tools—including Arizona FAFSA Hotline, Ask Benji, and partnerships with AzCAN and FCAN—to increase financial aid application completion among students in Arizona and Florida
FAFSA Resources
Provides resources and information for students and families in Arizona and Florida to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities
Collaborative initiative among Florida International University, University of Central Florida, and University of South Florida to improve student success, persistence, and graduation rates—particularly for transfer students—through shared data, advising practices, and transfer pathways
Higher Education Coaching Academy
Program that trains academic advisors and success coaches across Florida’s public universities and college system institutions to support student persistence and degree completion
LEAP Tampa Bay’s FAFSA comprehensive guide, workshops and webinars
Offers a comprehensive FAFSA guide, workshops, and webinars for parents and students in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Strengthening Statewide FAFSA Completion
A resource by FCAN to help families, schools, and communities boost access to college financial aid in Florida.
The Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities
A partnership with Florida International University (FIU), the University of Central Florida (UCF), and the University of South Florida (USF) to improve student success, particularly for Pell-eligible, first-generation, and underrepresented students, by sharing data, strategies, and transfer pathways.
Transfer Student Success Initiative
Effort to reduce 'transfer shock' and improve graduation outcomes by implementing transfer coaching models, hosting statewide Transfer Summits, and developing tools to improve credit articulation and transparency
Transfer Student Success Initiatives
Accelerates degree completion for transfer students at FIU, UCF, and USF through programs like the Higher Education Coaching Academy, transfer coaching models, and Transfer Summit conferences.
activities · 7 groups

what they do

  • Chronic Absenteeism Research and Data Analysis 7 activities
    • Research on Chronic Absenteeism
      Conducts research on chronic absenteeism in Arizona schools, identifying rates, demographic disparities, and the association between lower chronic absence and higher academic proficiency in English language arts and math.
    • Research on Chronic Absenteeism
      Conducts research on chronic absenteeism in Arizona schools, identifying rates, demographic disparities, and the association between lower chronic absence and higher academic proficiency in English language arts and math.
    • Research on Chronic Absenteeism
      Conducted research revealing that over 34% of Arizona high school students were chronically absent in the 2023–24 school year, with additional findings on the impact of chronic absence on academic proficiency.
    • Research on Educational Disparities
      Identifies disparities in third-grade reading proficiency, college enrollment rates, and postsecondary degree attainment among various student demographics, particularly low-income, American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic students in Arizona and Florida.
    • Research on Educational Disparities
      Identifies disparities in third-grade reading proficiency, college enrollment rates, and postsecondary degree attainment among various student demographics in Arizona and Florida, particularly focusing on low-income, American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic students.
    • Research on Educational Disparities
      Identifies disparities in third-grade reading proficiency, college enrollment rates, and postsecondary degree attainment among various demographic groups in Arizona and Florida, particularly focusing on low-income, American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic students.
    • Research on Educational Disparities
      Identifies disparities in third-grade reading proficiency, college enrollment rates, and postsecondary degree attainment among various demographic groups in Arizona and Florida, particularly focusing on low-income, American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic students.
  • Healthcare Innovation Recognition Programs 5 activities
    • Advocacy for Transfer Student Success
      Hosted seven Transfer Summit conferences to build a statewide learning network aimed at improving transfer student success.
    • Transfer Summit Conferences
      Hosts Transfer Summit conferences to build a statewide learning network focused on improving success for transfer students.
    • Transfer Summit Conferences
      Hosts Transfer Summit conferences to establish a statewide learning network focused on improving success rates for transfer students.
    • Transfer Summit Conferences
      Hosts Transfer Summit conferences to establish a statewide learning network focused on improving success for transfer students.
    • Transfer Summit Conferences
      Hosts Transfer Summit conferences to build a statewide learning network focused on improving transfer student success.
  • Individualized Student Success Coaching 4 activities
    • Capacity Building for Advisors
      Trained more than 1,500 advisors and success coaches through the Higher Education Coaching Academy to improve student support during transitions.
    • Higher Education Coaching Academy
      Trains more than 1,500 advisors and success coaches through the Higher Education Coaching Academy to improve student support during educational transitions.
    • Higher Education Coaching Academy
      Trains more than 1,500 advisors and success coaches through the Higher Education Coaching Academy to improve student support during transitions in higher education.
    • Higher Education Coaching Academy
      Trains over 1,500 advisors and success coaches through the Higher Education Coaching Academy to enhance student support during educational transitions.
  • Tax Credit and Completion Scholarships 4 activities
    • Scholarship Funding
      Partners with educational institutions and organizations in Arizona and Florida to fund scholarships, including completion scholarships to support student enrollment.
    • Scholarship Funding
      Partners with educational institutions and organizations in Arizona and Florida to fund scholarships, including completion scholarships to support student enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Scholarship Funding
      Partners with educational institutions and organizations in Arizona and Florida to fund scholarships, including completion scholarships to support student enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Scholarship Funding and Support
      Partners with educational institutions and organizations in Arizona and Florida to fund scholarships, including providing completion scholarships to support student enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • FAFSA & Scholarship Application Support 2 activities
    • FAFSA Resources Provision
      Maintains and updates a dedicated FAFSA resources page with current information and key dates to assist students with financial aid applications.
    • FAFSA Resources Provision
      Maintains and updates a dedicated FAFSA resources page with current information and key dates to assist students with financial aid applications.
  • Advanced & Dual Enrollment Course Offerings 2 activities
    • Grantmaking for Educational Initiatives
      Invests over $350 million in partnerships and initiatives to improve education outcomes in Arizona and Florida, including grants for third-grade reading initiatives and college-going programs.
    • Grantmaking for Educational Initiatives
      Invests over $350 million in partnerships and initiatives to improve education outcomes in Arizona and Florida, including grants for third-grade reading initiatives and college-going programs.
  • Uncategorized 5 activities
    • Economic Impact Research of Florida College System
      Conducts research to quantify the economic impact of the Florida College System, including its contribution to the state's economy, job creation, and return on investment for public funds and student education.
    • Economic Impact Research of Florida College System
      Conducts research to quantify the economic impact of the Florida College System, including its contribution to the state's economy, job creation, and return on investment for public funds and student education.
    • Research on Scholarship Models
      Publishes reports and provides analysis on enhanced scholarship models, examining how student-centered supports improve persistence, completion rates, and access to opportunities.
    • Research on Scholarship Models
      Publishes reports and provides analysis on enhanced scholarship models, examining how student-centered supports improve student persistence, completion rates, and access to opportunities.
    • Research on Scholarship Models
      Publishes reports and provides analysis on enhanced scholarship models, examining their impact on student persistence, completion rates, and access to opportunities.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$21.76M
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$21.76M100%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$39.41M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$7.45M
Grants paid out$22.97M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$702.12M
Cash$14.65M
Investments$621.14M
Liabilities$36.23M
Net assets$665.89M
Liquid reserves193.6 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue -69.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 21
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
PAUL LUNA PRESIDENT AND CEO 40 $651K
BARBARA RYAN THOMPSON EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & COO 40 $464K
MICHAEL CHESIN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CFO 40 $389K
VINCENT ROIG CHAIRMAN 20 $331K
VINCE YANEZ SVP AZ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 40 $300K
CHARLES HOKANSON SVP FL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 40 $275K
PAUL PERRAULT SVP COMMUNITY IMPACT & LEARNING 40 $275K
JANICE PALMER SVP GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS & PUBLIC POLICY 40 $253K
BRAULIO COLON VP FL STUDENT SUCCESS INITIATIVES 40 $240K
TINA DENICOLE VP FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION 40 $199K
GRACE MESADA VP COMMUNICATIONS FL 40 $190K
REBECCA LINDGREN VP COMMUNICATIONS AZ 40 $171K
JULIE NORWOOD VP GRANTS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT 40 $161K
JANE ROIG VICE-CHAIR 10 $80K
IOANNA MORFESSIS DIRECTOR 6 $78K
TOM HERNDON DIRECTOR 6 $77K
VADA MANAGER DIRECTOR & TREASURER 6 $73K
DON ARIPOLI DIRECTOR 6 $70K
MARK FERNANDEZ DIRECTOR 6 $69K
MARIA SASTRE DIRECTOR 6 $69K
STEVEN WHEELER DIRECTOR & SECRETARY 6 $65K
board members · 3
  • CHEVY HUMPHREY — DIRECTOR
  • JAMES SWANSON — DIRECTOR
  • LARRY RICE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 33

who they work with

  • Achieve Miami Partner — Partnered to expand and evaluate college-going programs in Florida.
  • Aliento Partner — Provides a link to Aliento's FAFSA page for mixed-status families seeking assistance.
  • Arizona Government — State where the foundation focuses its education initiatives.
  • Arizona College Access Network Partner — Collaborates with AzCAN to promote FAFSA resources through the AzCAN FAFSA Resource Hub.
  • Arizona Community Foundation Partner — Partnered on multiple initiatives including Accio Advocacy, Accio Education Fund, and Achieve60AZ to support college-going and postsecondary attainment in Arizona.
  • Arizona Community Foundation Partner — Recommended resource for Arizona students seeking scholarships.
  • Boards of education Government — Collaborates with Boards of education as key stakeholders to influence educational outcomes.
  • Bridge 2 Life Partner — Shares Bridge 2 Life’s FAFSA resources for students and families in Broward County.
  • Chicanos Por La Causa Partner — Partnered on the Abriendo Puertas program to support third-grade reading in Arizona.
  • College Depot at Phoenix Public Library Partner — Recommended resource for Arizona students seeking scholarships.
  • Education Forward Arizona Partner — Partner organization advancing the Achieve60AZ postsecondary attainment goal in Arizona.
  • Federal Student Aid Government — Disseminates updates and pro tips from the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid office.
  • Florida Government — State where the foundation focuses its education initiatives.
  • Florida College Access Network Partner — Partner organization monitoring and tracking the SAIL to 60 postsecondary attainment initiative in Florida.
  • Florida College Access Network Partner — Shares FCAN resources and initiatives to support statewide FAFSA completion in Florida.
  • Florida College System Partner — Collaborates on research and initiatives to strengthen postsecondary access and success in Florida.
  • Florida International University Partner — Collaborates with Helios Education Foundation through The Consortium to improve student and transfer success outcomes.
  • Frameworks of Tampa Bay Partner — Partnered on a sixth-grade gender-specific program to support college-going in Florida.
  • Hillsborough Community College Foundation Partner — Partnered to establish a 40th Anniversary Endowed Scholarship Fund for postsecondary attainment in Florida.
  • LEAP Tampa Bay Partner — Shares LEAP Tampa Bay’s FAFSA guide, workshops, and webinars for student and parent support.
  • Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Partner — Partnered on the ACE Program to support college-going in Arizona.
  • National College Attainment Network Partner — Shares NCAN's FAFSA Tracker and resource page to support FAFSA completion efforts.
  • Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee Partner — Partnered to support third-grade reading initiatives through the Read to the Final Four program.
  • SLM Corporation Partner — Purchased Southwest Student Services Corporation, proceeds of which funded the Helios Education Foundation endowment.
  • Southwest Student Services Corporation Partner — Converted and sold to create the Helios Education Foundation endowment.
  • United Way Suncoast Partner — Partnered on the Strategic Action Plan Development for Tampa Hillsborough EDC to support college-going in Florida.
  • University of Central Florida Partner — Collaborates with Helios Education Foundation through The Consortium to improve student and transfer success outcomes.
  • University of South Florida Partner — Collaborates with Helios Education Foundation through The Consortium to improve student and transfer success outcomes.
  • University of South Florida Foundation Partner — Partnered on initiatives related to early childhood literacy and STEM teacher development in Florida.
  • WestEd Partner — Collaborated with Helios Education Foundation on research about chronic absenteeism in Arizona public schools.
+ 3 more