Helios Education Foundation

What it reported doing in 2024

Helios education foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals in Arizona and Florida to achieve a postsecondary education. The foundation's work is driven by its four fundamental beliefs: 1) community - education changes lives and strengthens communities. 2) investment - education is an investment, not an expense. 3) equity - every student, regardless of zip code, deserves a high- quality education. 4) partnership - the foundation will achieve its mission through partnership and collaboration. Helios invests in programs and initiatives across the full education continuum, from early grade success through postsecondary education. Helios partners with universities, colleges, elementary and secondary schools, and other eligible educational organizations as described in section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code. The foundation's commitment to education is long-term and its financial support is focused on investing in sustainable programs and initiatives at educational organizations that specifically impact the educational success of all students. During fy25, the foundation provided approximately $20 million in grants and $975 thousand in in-kind giving to educational organizations located in Arizona and Florida. This funding and in-kind giving provided support to schools, universities, and other educational organizations and non-profits that improve the conditions of and access to education. Helios education foundation has a purposeful focus on results. Our impact strategy focuses on three key drivers essential to getting students on track for college attainment: ensure that students are reading by the third grade; increase college enrollments; and increase attainment of two- and four-year college degrees.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 60.9%; rating input score 61
• Program expense ratio: 81.8%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: 99.4%; rating input score 99; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 76.9%; rating input score 77; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 24.4%; rating input score 90; 90th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 22.2; rating input score 98; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.04; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 13.6%; rating input score 1; 1st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.1% per year; rating input score 100; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -5.7% per year; rating input score 0; 1st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.2% per year; rating input score 100; 16th percentile among comparable filings