Although no two TEI sponsors are built the same, nonprofits Step Up For Students (SUFS) and the Arizona Leadership Foundation (ALF) both work to improve educational access—an important value TEI has always supported. For this issue’s Back Page, we’re sharing a bit more about these organizations and how members can support their efforts in Florida and Arizona, respectively.
Step Up For Students: Impact Through Purpose-Driven Tax Planning
SUFS is a Florida-based nonprofit committed to expanding educational opportunities for K–12 students. By administering state scholarship programs, the organization enables families to choose the learning environment that best supports their child’s success. Since 2002, SUFS has awarded over two million scholarships, transforming educational outcomes and life trajectories.
Through Florida’s Tax Credit, or FTC, Scholarship Program, your company can redirect its state tax liability to SUFS, earning a dollar-for-dollar credit while directly funding scholarships for Florida students. TEI member companies have contributed more than $2.7 billion to fund over 430,000 scholarships to date.
This is more than a state tax payment, it’s a strategic investment in children’s futures. Participation demonstrates corporate citizenship while fulfilling a state tax obligation. The impact is real: improved education, stronger communities, and measurable social return.
The Arizona Leadership Foundation: Expanding Opportunity Through Education
ALF is proud to be Arizona’s leading provider of corporate tax credit scholarships, helping low-income and disabled/displaced students access the best educational opportunities for their unique needs. Since the organization’s founding, it has processed over $400 million in corporate tax credit contributions—transforming those dollars into scholarships annually.
ALF’s mission is simple but powerful: to empower families with educational options and give every child a fair shot at success, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status. By partnering with hundreds of schools statewide, ALF ensures that thousands of Arizona students receive high-quality education options that would otherwise be out of reach.
For members of the tax and finance community, programs like Arizona’s Low-Income Corporate Tax Credit Program and its Disabled/Displaced Corporate Tax Credit Program present a rare alignment of public good and private benefit. By contributing, companies receive a 100 percent dollar-for-dollar credit against their Arizona corporate income tax liability—an immediate financial incentive with zero net cost. But the impact goes far beyond the balance sheet. For multistate or national companies with significant Arizona tax liability, this is a way to leverage required payments into a powerful force for good—without diminishing shareholder value or diverting operational resources.
Why This Matters
Tax executives and finance leaders play a pivotal role in identifying and executing on these opportunities. In doing so, they not only unlock value for their organizations but also help build a more educated, equitable society—one student at a time.
These contributions help foster an empowered future workforce, reduce long-term dependency on social programs, and uplift entire communities. Supporting ALF or SUFS is great corporate citizenship and smart tax planning with a social return on investment. TEI members have a unique opportunity to champion programs that don’t just comply with the law—they also change lives.
Click the logos below to begin your journey in supporting the future of education in Florida and Arizona.
