SAN FRANCISCO (June 2025) — The Elios Charitable Foundation has announced a series of new grants totaling over $300,000, aimed at bolstering cultural programs and institutions dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Hellenic heritage. These grants highlight the organization’s deep commitment to supporting education, music, art, and community across the Greek-American diaspora.
Among the recipients is a $25,000 grant awarded to the Center for Modern Greek Studies at San Francisco State University. This support helps fund visiting professors and enriches programs in modern Greek language, literature, history, and culture—fostering deeper academic ties within the Greek-American community. Additionally, the Foundation has committed significant funding to Cappella Romana’s 2025 concert series—known for its powerful renditions of Byzantine chant and sacred music—as well as to the Center for Tebtunis Papyri at UC Berkeley, ensuring critical scholarship in ancient Greek texts continues to flourish.
Perhaps most impactful is the sustained investment in the Heritage Greece Scholars Program, which annually sends at least ten university students of Greek descent to Greece for an immersive cultural experience. Through field studies, language immersion, and visits to archaeological sites, participants deepen their connection to the homeland—a transformative journey made possible thanks to Elios’s backing. Other recent beneficiaries include the Metropolis of San Francisco Folk Dance Programs, the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, and the Nemea Center at UC Berkeley—each receiving critical support for community engagement, research, and artistic programming.
“This year’s grants reflect our mission to preserve and promote Hellenic culture in its many forms—from academia and the arts to youth engagement and community building,” said John Gumas, President and Chair, Elios Charitable Foundation. “We’re proud to stand with organizations that cultivate pride in Greek heritage and inspire the next generation of Greek Americans.”
Share this post
