Education Forward Arizona
Education Forward Arizona is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as Arizona's statewide bridge between education and workforce systems, offering scholarships, mentoring, an AI-powered FAFSA chatbot, statewide data tools, and college-readiness programs to students, families, educators, and employers across all 15 Arizona counties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Education Forward Arizona does
Education Forward Arizona is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Phoenix that functions as Arizona's nonpartisan bridge between the K-12, postsecondary, and workforce systems. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs serving four primary constituencies: Arizona students and families, educators and college access professionals, employers/workforce partners, and state policy leaders. Core offerings include Ask Benji (a first-of-its-kind conversational AI chatbot for FAFSA support), the Arizona Education Progress Meter (a nonpartisan statewide data platform co-developed with the Center for the Future of Arizona that tracks education milestones at state, county, city, district, and school levels), Guide to Your Future (a bilingual college/career exploration resource), a multi-program scholarship portfolio with Success Adviser mentoring, the Arizona College Attainment Network (AzCAN) with 575+ member organizations, College Access Professional (CAP) certification training, and the College Knowing & Going (CKG) program operating in 30 Arizona high schools across 6 regions. In 2026, the organization completed the asset transfer of the Arizona Business and Education Coalition (ABEC), absorbing its 24-year business-education partnership portfolio including the Career Exploration Guide, Career Exploration Campuses, and the Yavapai County Future Ready initiative.
Technically, the organization maintains a Salesforce-based CRM infrastructure (with a dedicated Salesforce Administrator on staff), the Ask Benji chatbot deployed as a self-serve digital tool at askbenji.org, the Progress Meter data dashboard, and the Arizona College Connect student progress database, all layered onto a community-led go-to-market motion. Programs and services are delivered free of charge to end users. The organization is funded primarily through foundation and corporate grants — major partners include Helios Education Foundation (founding/chairman organization), AmeriCorps, the Arizona Department of Education, Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Ernst & Young, Wells Fargo, Freeport-McMoRan, Northern Arizona University, ASU, and the University of Arizona Foundation, with individual donations routed through United Way, Benevity, and YourCause workplace giving. The organization generates no transactional revenue; financials are not publicly disclosed (EIN 20-2366755).
Operational governance is provided by a board chaired by Ron Butler (retired EY Managing Partner), with Vince Roig of Helios serving as Founding Chairman. The leadership team is led by President and CEO Rich Nickel and includes senior vice presidents across Marketing/Communications, Administration, and Education and Workforce Alignment, supported by 11–50 total employees and regional CKG coordinators embedded across Arizona.
Education Forward Arizona firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Education Forward Arizona
- Legal name
- Education Forward Arizona
- Website
- https://educationforwardarizona.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Education Forward Arizona is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as Arizona's statewide bridge between education and workforce systems, offering scholarships, mentoring, an AI-powered FAFSA chatbot, statewide data tools, and college-readiness programs to students, families, educators, and employers across all 15 Arizona counties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Education Forward Arizona industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Postsecondary Education Advocacy and Attainment Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)
Keywords
Where Education Forward Arizona is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Phoenix
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Education Forward Arizona business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation and Corporate Grants: Education Forward Arizona is primarily funded through grants and contributions from foundation partners (Helios Education Foundation, AmeriCorps, etc.) and corporate partners who invest $1 million or more since February 2021.
- Individual Donations: The organization accepts individual donations through its website and workplace giving programs (United Way, Benevity, YourCause). EIN 20-2366755.
- Donor Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors and partners support specific programs and initiatives including scholarships, events like An InspirED Evening, and program operations.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Education Forward Arizona product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Education Forward Arizona is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advances postsecondary education attainment in Arizona through a portfolio of programs including scholarships, mentoring and coaching, an AI-powered FAFSA chatbot (Ask Benji), the Arizona Education Progress Meter data tool, professional development for educators (CAP Training), statewide networks (AzCAN, ABEC, Education Forward Advocates Network), and nonpartisan policy advocacy aligned to the Achieve60AZ goal of 60% postsecondary attainment by 2030.
Product overview
Education Forward Arizona operates as a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) offering a comprehensive suite of interconnected programs focused on education-to-workforce alignment. The portfolio includes data tools (Arizona Education Progress Meter), student-facing resources (Ask Benji chatbot, Guide to Your Future), financial support (Scholarships, Mentoring & Coaching, Guarantee Your Future with Freeport), professional development for educators (CAP Training), network organizations (AzCAN, ABEC), and advocacy infrastructure (Education Forward Advocates Network). These programs work together to guide students from early education through postsecondary attainment and into workforce careers, with the Arizona Education Progress Meter tracking progress toward the Achieve60AZ goal of 60% postsecondary attainment by 2030.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ask Benji A first-of-its-kind AI chatbot specifically designed to help students, parents, and educators get quick answers to a wide variety of questions about the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
- Arizona Education Progress Meter A nonpartisan data tool developed in partnership with the Center for the Future of Arizona that tracks Arizona's progress across key education milestones from early learning through postsecondary attainment, with data available at state, county, city, district, and school levels.
- Guide to Your Future An online resource that helps Arizona students explore education, training, and career options after high school and take clear next steps toward their goals through bilingual, culturally responsive guidance.
- Scholarships Scholarship opportunities administered by Education Forward Arizona including the Adelante Scholarship, Chevy Humphrey Women in STEM Scholarship, Education Forward Arizona Scholarship, Guarantee Your Future with Freeport, and Native American Scholarship Program.
- Mentoring and Coaching Personalized guidance through dedicated Success Advisers who help students navigate challenges, stay on track, and reach their postsecondary goals, including peer networking events, Career Week, and Annual Leadership Symposium.
- Arizona College Attainment Network (AzCAN) A statewide community of more than 575 organizations committed to closing the education attainment gap in Arizona, providing professional development, CAP Training, networking, and resources to support student postsecondary attainment.
- FAFSA Resource Hub A one-stop resource center featuring training, updates, and tools for educators and college access professionals supporting students through FAFSA completion, including data protection information and Arizona-specific resources.
- College Access Professional (CAP) Training Professional development courses for school counselors, educators, and college access professionals offering opportunities to earn recertification hours, Arizona College Access Professional (ACAP) certification, Arizona Financial Aid Specialist (AFAS) certification, and graduate credits.
- College Knowing and Going A statewide initiative that helps schools build sustainable college and career readiness systems through the College Readiness Team (CRT) Project, partnering with 30 high schools to strengthen college-going cultures.
- Guarantee Your Future with Freeport A technical certification and job placement program partnership with Freeport-McMoRan offering scholarships covering tuition, fees, books, supplies, living allowance, paid summer internship, and potential job placement in skilled trades.
- Education Forward Advocates Network A statewide network of business leaders, educators, community leaders, parents, teachers and voters who advocate for education priorities, receiving timely updates, Education Power Hours, and advocacy tools.
Companies that use Education Forward Arizona
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Education Forward Arizona technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
Education Forward Arizona partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, supporting and core.
- Arizona Department of EducationmajorInvested $1 million or more since February 2021. State education agency partner supporting alignment of Education Forward Arizona's initiatives with statewide education priorities and programs.
- Arizona State UniversitysupportingContinued support since February 2021. University partner contributing to education-workforce alignment efforts and student pathways.
- Maricopa Community CollegessupportingContinued support since February 2021. Major community college system partner providing pathways and programs for student attainment.
- National College Attainment NetworksupportingContinued support since February 2021. AzCAN is a member of NCAN, connecting Arizona efforts to national college attainment network resources and best practices.
- Northern Arizona UniversitysupportingContinued support since February 2021, including Arizona GEAR UP partnership. University partner for College Knowing & Going program coordination.
- Freeport-McMoRancoreMajor partner through the 'Guarantee Your Future with Freeport' program providing technical certification scholarships, paid internships, and job placement. Tracy Bame (Freeport-McMoRan Foundation President) serves on the board. Partnership supports workforce pathways in mining and technical trades.
- Center for the Future of ArizonacoreCo-developer of the Arizona Education Progress Meter - the statewide nonpartisan data tool tracking education progress. Strategic partner for research and data initiatives.
- Northern Arizona College Resource CentercorePartner with Education Forward Arizona on the College Readiness Team (CRT) Project, working with 30 Arizona high schools on data-driven college and career readiness systems.
- Arizona Science CentersupportingMentoring partner providing support and resources for postsecondary success programs.
- Arizona Hispanic Chamber of CommercesupportingMentoring partner supporting postsecondary success programs for Hispanic students and families.
- Arizona First AdvisedsupportingMentoring partner supporting first-generation college students and families.
- Arizona Business and Education Coalition (ABEC)coreIn 2026, ABEC (24+ years of business-education partnership work) completed an asset transfer to Education Forward Arizona. Education Forward Arizona now serves as the primary home for ABEC resources, information, and engagement opportunities, continuing ABEC's legacy of connecting business and education leaders.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Education Forward Arizona competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Excelencia in Education: National nonprofit accelerating Latino student success in higher education through research, programs, and policy. Comparable to Education Forward Arizona's targeted scholarship work (e.g., Native American Scholarship Program, Hispanic community partnerships) and postsecondary attainment mission.
- Center for the Future of Arizona: Nonpartisan Arizona nonprofit and co-developer of the Arizona Education Progress Meter. Directly collaborates with Education Forward Arizona on data tools and the Achieve60AZ goal, with overlapping civic/policy ambitions.
Broad incumbents
- Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit driving workforce and education transformation, including credentials, postsecondary attainment, and employer alignment. Comparable to Education Forward Arizona's workforce alignment pillar but operating at a national scale across many states.
- Helios Education Foundation: Founding partner and largest individual backer of Education Forward Arizona. Operates as a regional education foundation across Arizona and Florida with broader funding, research, and policy work; the founding chairman is shared between the two organizations.
Direct peers
- Denver Scholarship Foundation: Colorado-based nonprofit providing scholarships, college advising, and workforce-aligned programming. Closely mirrors Education Forward Arizona's combination of scholarships, Success Advisers, and high school partnerships.
- College Success Arizona: Arizona-focused nonprofit providing scholarships and mentoring to low-income and first-generation students statewide. Most direct geographic peer operating alongside Education Forward Arizona in the same Arizona postsecondary attainment space.
- Achieve Atlanta: Atlanta-based nonprofit operating as the city's college attainment coalition with scholarships, mentoring, and advising. Strong functional analog to Education Forward Arizona at a sub-state level, with similar scholarship plus mentoring model.
- uAspire: National nonprofit focused on financial aid advising and FAFSA completion for low-income students. Directly comparable to Education Forward Arizona's Ask Benji chatbot and FAFSA Resource Hub in serving students navigating federal student aid.
- National College Attainment Network (NCAN): National member network of college access and success programs. Education Forward Arizona's AzCAN is a member of NCAN, and both organizations work on FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and postsecondary attainment metrics with overlapping service populations.
- Bottom Line: National nonprofit providing one-on-one college access and success advising to low-income and first-generation students. Directly comparable to Education Forward Arizona's Success Adviser mentoring model and college persistence support.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Education Forward Arizona social profiles
Digital presenceEducation Forward Arizona financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Education Forward Arizona leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Education Forward Arizona subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Education Forward Arizona funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Education Forward Arizona M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Education Forward Arizona
What does Education Forward Arizona do?
Education Forward Arizona is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advances postsecondary education attainment in Arizona through a portfolio of programs including scholarships, mentoring and coaching, an AI-powered FAFSA chatbot (Ask Benji), the Arizona Education Progress Meter data tool, professional development for educators (CAP Training), statewide networks (AzCAN, ABEC, Education Forward Advocates Network), and nonpartisan policy advocacy aligned to the Achieve60AZ goal of 60% postsecondary attainment by 2030.
Is Education Forward Arizona a public or private company?
Education Forward Arizona is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Education Forward Arizona founded?
Education Forward Arizona was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Education Forward Arizona based?
Education Forward Arizona is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.
How does Education Forward Arizona make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Corporate Grants are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations and donor Partnerships and Sponsorships.
Who are Education Forward Arizona's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Excelencia in Education and Center for the Future of Arizona. Broad incumbents are Jobs for the Future (JFF) and Helios Education Foundation. Direct peers are Denver Scholarship Foundation, College Success Arizona, Achieve Atlanta, uAspire, National College Attainment Network (NCAN) and Bottom Line.
Does Education Forward Arizona have an API?
No public API is recorded for Education Forward Arizona.
What industry is Education Forward Arizona in?
Education Forward Arizona's product category is Postsecondary Education Advocacy and Attainment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAABAK, College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways), with a secondary code of EDAAAEAC, Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.