Helios Education Foundation

Helios Education Foundation

Helios Education Foundation was established in 2004 by Vince Roig after the sale of his student loan services company. Roig and his wife Jane LaRocca Roig continue to serve on the board, with Paul J. Luna handling day-to-day operations as President and CEO. The endowment was seeded with proceeds from that transaction and remains focused on education outcomes in two states. The foundation allocates capital across private equity, real estate, and infrastructure. Its 21 percent private equity exposure sits alongside direct ownership of the Helios Education Campus in Phoenix and a regional office in Tampa. Confirmed grants include $2.5 million to Northern Arizona University in 2026 and $2 million to Florida International University. Geographic reach covers Arizona and Florida, with partnerships such as Arizona State University and Teach for America. The organization maintains a headquarters campus that also houses strategic partners and an art collection. Additional offices operate in Tampa. Board member Jim Swanson leads Kitchell, providing operational ties. A July 2025 webinar appearance addressed scholarship design and student retention. The foundation reports no separate philanthropic vehicle beyond its core grantmaking structure. Helios maintains a direct ownership model for its campus and endowment assets rather than external fund commitments. Governance rests with the Roig family and a small board that includes local business leaders. This structure ties investment decisions closely to the founding family's education mandate and regional focus.