Sisters of the Skies

What Sisters of the Skies does

Sisters of the Skies, Inc. (SOS) is a U.S. nonprofit 501c3 aviation organization founded in 2016 and incorporated on November 8, 2017, headquartered at 11601 Shadow Creek Pkwy in Pearland, Texas. It operates as a community-led network of approximately 120 professional women of color pilots — a population the organization estimates at fewer than 150 across the United States — and serves a much wider base of aspiring pilots, scholarship recipients, and youth participants. Its mission is to increase representation in the professional pilot career field through mentorship, scholarship, and outreach programs.

The organization's core products are organized around three program pillars. The Cohort Mentorship Program groups mentees and mentors on Slack into cohorts for student pilots, private pilots, and instrument-rated pilots, providing structured virtual guidance. The scholarship pillar operates multiple named and recurring programs awarding between $2,500 and $15,000 per recipient, including the Summer and Fall Scholarship Programs, the Stephanie Goetz and Endre Holen Multi-Engine Commercial Scholarship, the Rashanda Nicole Lee Memorial Scholarship, and the SOS / United Aviate Academy Scholarship co-funded with JPMorgan Chase. The outreach pillar includes Girls Rock Wings (GRoW), an annual one-day aviation/STEM event for girls ages 10–18 that has expanded from Houston to Detroit, plus the Gift of Flight Experience in partnership with The Brock Foundation, ACE, and Faithful Guardian. An annual Scholarship Gala serves as the marquee fundraising and recognition event, with the 9th edition scheduled for February 2027 in Nashville.

SOS is funded primarily through charitable donations and a tiered corporate sponsorship program that includes United Airlines (Titanium), American Airlines and Delta Air Lines (Diamond), Alaska Airlines (Gold), JPMorgan Chase (core partner), and more than ten additional Bronze-level sponsors. Merchandise sales (t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, hats, accessories) channel proceeds back into scholarship and outreach. Since inception, the organization has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to more than 50 women and exposed over 100 girls to aviation through GRoW. Leadership is drawn from accomplished pilots at FedEx, American, Alaska, Delta, and Republic Airways, lending the organization deep operational credibility within the aviation industry.

Name

Sisters of the Skies

Legal name

Sisters of the Skies, Inc.

Website

https://sistersoftheskies.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sisters of the Skies is a 501c3 nonprofit aviation organization that supports women of color pilots through scholarships ($2,500–$15,000 awards), a Slack-based Cohort Mentorship Program, and youth outreach including Girls Rock Wings. It serves approximately 120 professional pilot members, 50+ scholarship recipients, and corporate sponsors such as United, American, Delta, and Alaska Airlines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Aviation scholarships
• Pilot mentorship programs
• Aviation diversity outreach
• Nonprofit aviation support
• Women pilot community

Headquarters

HQ city

Pearland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The organization relies heavily on charitable donations from individuals and corporate sponsors to fund scholarships and maintain operations. Sponsors provide funding at various levels (Titanium, Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) for events and general operations.
2. Merchandise Sales: The SOS Store sells branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, hats, and accessories. All proceeds from merchandise sales go toward scholarship and outreach initiatives.
3. Scholarship Gala Events: Annual fundraising gala events where scholarships are awarded. Ticket sales and event sponsorships generate revenue for the organization's scholarship programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sisters of the Skies is a nonprofit 501c3 aviation organization that supports women of color pilots and aspiring aviators through three core programs: a Cohort Mentorship Program (delivered via Slack across student, private, and instrument-rated pilot levels), multiple scholarship programs awarding between $2,500 and $15,000 for flight training, and outreach programs (Girls Rock Wings and Gift of Flight) that expose girls of color ages 10–18 to aviation through discovery flights and career events. The organization also hosts an annual Scholarship Gala and sells branded merchandise, with all proceeds funding scholarships and outreach.

Product overview

Sisters of the Skies is a nonprofit 501c3 aviation organization focused on diversifying the professional pilot career field by supporting women of color. The organization operates several interconnected programs: a Cohort Mentorship Program using Slack for virtual peer and mentor support across training levels; multiple scholarship programs (Summer, Fall, and named scholarships) providing $2,500 to $15,000 awards for flight training; Girls Rock Wings (GRoW) and Gift of Flight outreach programs exposing young women of color to aviation; and an annual Scholarship Gala. A merchandise store sells branded apparel and accessories, with proceeds funding the core mission. The organization has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to over 50 women since inception.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Girls Rock Wings (GRoW): Annual one-day aviation/STEM outreach program that exposes girls of color between ages 10-18 to the field of aviation through discovery flights, air traffic control tower tours, flight plan development, simulator sessions, and static aircraft displays.

Products and services

• Cohort Mentorship Program Virtual mentorship program that uses Slack to group women of color pilots and aspiring pilots into cohorts by training level (student pilots, private pilots, and instrument-rated pilots), providing peer support, guidance, and best practices. Designed for women of color pursuing professional pilot careers.
• Sisters of the Skies Summer Scholarship Annual summer scholarship program awarding $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000 scholarships to aspiring professional women pilots to defray flight training costs.
• Fall Scholarship Program Fall scholarship program awarding four scholarships of $2,500 each, plus a special $5,000 scholarship for advanced ratings (Multi-Engine License or Commercial Pilot License).
• Stephanie Goetz and Endre Holen Multi-Engine Commercial Scholarship Partnership scholarship of $5,000 for advanced pilot ratings in Multi-Engine License (MEL) or Commercial Pilot License (CPL), funded by Silver Level Sponsors Stephanie Goetz and Endre Holen.
• Rashanda Nicole Lee Memorial Scholarship Memorial scholarship honoring a past SOS scholarship recipient, supporting the flight training of African-American females pursuing professional pilot careers.
• Sisters of the Skies / United Aviate Academy Scholarship Partnership scholarship with United Airlines and JPMorgan Chase designed to eliminate financial barriers for highly qualified candidates beginning their aviation training journey.
• Girls Rock Wings (GRoW) Annual one-day aviation/STEM outreach program that exposes girls of color ages 10–18 to aviation through discovery flights with female pilots of color, air traffic control tower tours, flight plan development, simulator sessions, and static aircraft displays.
• Gift of Flight Outreach Event Career-discovery outreach event in partnership with The Brock Foundation, ACE, and Faithful Guardian, exposing African American female youth to aviation through engagement with female pilots in uniform and discovery flights.
• SOS Store Merchandise Online storefront selling branded merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, mugs, hats, bags, stickers, and phone cases, with all proceeds going toward SOS scholarships and outreach initiatives.
• Annual Scholarship Gala Annual fundraising and scholarship gala event celebrating women in aviation, featuring scholarship awards, networking, commemorative merchandise, and event sponsorships (first held in 2019 in Atlanta).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1 million in scholarships awarded to 50+ women
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered titanium level sponsor, diamond level sponsor, gold level sponsor, core partner, silver level sponsor and bronze level sponsor.

• United Airlinestitanium level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitanium Level Sponsor supporting scholarships and outreach. Partnered with JPMorgan Chase to eliminate financial barriers through the Sisters of the Skies / United Aviate Academy Scholarship program.
• American Airlinesdiamond level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond Level Sponsor. Hosts GRoW outreach events at their facilities and supports the organization's mission to diversify aviation.
• Delta Air Linesdiamond level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond Level Sponsor supporting scholarships and organizational initiatives.
• Alaska Airlinesgold level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold Level Sponsor supporting the organization.
• JPMorgan Chasecore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with United Airlines and Sisters of the Skies to eliminate financial barriers for aspiring pilots through the United Aviate Academy Scholarship program.
• Stephanie Goetz and Endre Holensilver level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver Level Sponsors providing the Multi-Engine Commercial Scholarship of $5,000 for advanced pilot ratings.
• The Brock Foundationcore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Gift of Flight Experience outreach event, collaborating to expose African American female youth to aviation.
• ACEcore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Gift of Flight Experience outreach event for female youth career discovery.
• Faithful Guardiancore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Gift of Flight Experience outreach event for female youth career discovery.
• Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)core partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual convention where SOS awards scholarships. Long-standing relationship in the Black aviation community.
• Lone Star Flight Museumcore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the Girls Rock Wings (GRoW) outreach events in Houston, Texas.
• Wings Financialbronze level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze Level Sponsor supporting the organization.
• PSA Airlinesbronze level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze Level Sponsor supporting the organization.
• Southwest Airlinesbronze level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze Level Sponsor supporting the organization.
• Piedmont Airlinesbronze level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze Level Sponsor supporting the organization.
• Envoy Airbronze level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze Level Sponsor supporting the organization.
• SpitFire Elitebronze level sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze Level Sponsor supporting the organization.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA): Community-based organization providing networking, mentorship, and scholarships for LGBTQ+ aviators. Comparable demographic-targeted pilot support model with similar scholarship-and-community structure.
• Women in Aviation International: Major nonprofit advancing women in all aviation careers through scholarships, mentorship, and an annual conference. Directly comparable scholarship-and-outreach model with broader demographic scope.
• Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP): National nonprofit supporting Black professionals across all aerospace careers. Directly comparable mission to diversify the aviation workforce; SOS specifically distributes scholarships at the OBAP Annual Convention.
• International Society of Women Airline Pilots (ISA): Global nonprofit representing women airline pilots with a scholarship program for women pursuing commercial aviation careers. Most direct international peer to SOS in mission and beneficiary profile.
• The Ninety-Nines (International Organization of Women Pilots): Long-established international organization of women pilots providing networking, scholarships, and mentorship. Closely aligned mission of supporting women in aviation through fellowship and career development.
• Latino Pilots Association (LPA): US-based nonprofit supporting Latino pilots and aspiring aviators through mentorship and outreach. Parallel ethnic-focused pilot community organization model addressing a similar underrepresentation gap.

Broad incumbents

• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): Large general-aviation membership organization hosting EAA AirVenture and the Young Eagles youth aviation program. Overlaps on youth outreach and grassroots pilot-development activities.
• Civil Air Patrol (CAP): US Air Force civilian auxiliary running the largest youth aviation Cadet Program in the country. Comparable youth-aviation-outreach and mentorship model at massive scale, with overlapping pipeline-development mission.
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): Largest general-aviation membership organization in the US. Operates a You Can Fly foundation with aviation career pathways and diversity initiatives — a broader-incumbent peer working in pilot-development space at scale.

Others

• JetBlue Airways (Aviation DEI & University Gateway Program): US carrier running paid pilot-pathway and DEI scholarship programs in partnership with universities. Adjacent enabling actor — a corporate sponsor/prospect for SOS-style talent pipelines rather than a direct community-based peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCk84TZvWw4I7zvaeILzeG-g
• Facebookfacebook.com/SistersoftheSkies
• Instagraminstagram.com/sistersoftheskies
• Xx.com/SistersoftheSky
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sisters-of-the-skies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sisters of the Skies