Helios Education Foundation awards Camp Catanese $500,000 for college scholarships
Funding will help increase annual scholarship recipients to 125 by 2027
PHOENIX, AZ - Helios Education Foundation has awarded a $500,000 grant to Camp Catanese Foundation to expand its scholarship program for first-generation college students from underserved communities in Arizona. This transformative investment will help close critical financial aid gaps and ensure that more students not only access college but also persist through graduation.
The grant will allow Camp Catanese to increase its annual scholarship recipients to 125 scholarships by 2027, with average awards of $5,000 per student. This funding directly addresses a growing financial need. In a recent study, Camp Catanese students reported an average college funding shortfall of $5,807.67 per year, with over 40% facing a gap exceeding $5,000.
“We are profoundly grateful to the Helios Education Foundation for their extraordinary $500,000 investment in Camp Catanese scholarships,” said Jason Catanese, Founder and Executive Director of Camp Catanese. “Helios’ generous support is not just a gift. It’s a game-changer. It will transform the trajectory of our students’ lives by opening doors to college that once felt out of reach. Because of Helios, more first-generation students will not only dream of higher education. They’ll achieve it.”
Camp Catanese supports students through every step of the college journey with mentorship, FAFSA completion, summer programs, and year-round academic support. This grant will enhance those wraparound efforts, providing stability as students transition from high school to higher education.
Together with Helios Education Foundation, the Dougherty Foundation, and generous individual donors, Camp Catanese is committed to awarding 275 scholarships totaling $1,375,000 over the next three years. This collaborative effort reflects a shared belief in the power of education to change lives!
About Camp Catanese:
Camp Catanese Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding college access for underserved students across Arizona through year-round programming. Its flagship initiatives include overnight college-access camps, academic tutoring, college and career advising, and scholarship support. Since its founding, 100% of Camp Catanese seniors have graduated from high school, and 98% have enrolled in college, with many alumni pursuing STEM degrees. Learn more at www.campcatanese.org.