South Pacific Islander Organization is a 100% volunteer-led 501(c)3 nonprofit creating digital resources for Pacific Islanders to pursue, successfully navigate, and attain higher education.

Vision.

We envision a future where Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders thrive in higher education, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to successfully navigate and complete college.

Mission.

To eliminate barriers to college for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students through resource-sharing, professional development, educational programs, and community-building.

Programs.

Spotlight Series - to inspire and highlight current Pacific Islander scholars

Network - a digital network for Pacific Islander scholars to connect, share resources, events, and opportunities

Directory of Educational Resources - a digital library of educational resources for Pacific Islanders

Scholarships - scholarships for Pacific Islanders.

History

South Pacific Islander Organization (SPIO) is a 100% grassroots nonprofit founded in December 2018 by four Stanford alumni who believe in democratizing Pacific Islander access to higher education and economic opportunities, globally. They came together in response to the lack of cohesive Pacific representation in higher education, professional fields, and in the media.

SPIO's strength lies in its inclusive vision, international network, community-building capacity, digital reach, and online following. Some of their highlights to date include establishing a 501(c)3 within 6 months of incorporation, reaching over 50,000+ organic international website views in 2 years, and launching 6 digital pilot programs to increase Pacific Islander presence in higher education and professional fields.