Working in Education Philanthropy
Ascendium Education Group is a nonprofit organization with multiple functions. We’re a student loan guarantor, an education philanthropy and a provider of services for school and employer financial wellness and student loan success. Ascendium believes in the promise of a better life no matter where you started – and the power of education and training beyond high school to transform the lives of learners from low-income backgrounds.
Through our four grantmaking focus areas, we fund projects that support learners from low-income backgrounds, specifically those who are first-generation students, rural community members, veterans, students of color and incarcerated adults.
Ascendium’s Education Philanthropy is an operating division within Ascendium Education Solutions, Inc., a member company of Ascendium Education Group, Inc. & Affiliates. Our philanthropy is national in scope and has grown to become one of the country’s most active postsecondary education philanthropies.
Deputy Director of Education Grantmaking
Are you an accomplished leader with experience working across postsecondary education or workforce training systems? Has this experience resulted in a deep knowledge of state and federal policies and funding streams related to public workforce training, credit mobility, prison education, data systems, or cross-sector workforce development? We’re seeking a Deputy Director of Education Grantmaking to lead our Connect grantmaking strategy, which seeks to align systems so all learning counts toward credentials with labor market value and doesn’t result in a dead end. As Deputy Director of Education Grantmaking, you’ll support a team of grantmakers in developing a pipeline of approximately $30-40 million in new funding annually and oversee $40-70 million in active grants.
This position is based at our state-of-the-art headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. Relocation support will be considered for individuals outside the Madison area. You’ll have a hybrid schedule, generally working in the office three days a week and remotely two days a week. You’ll also have opportunities to travel to conferences, convenings, and other events.
Senior Learning and Impact Officers
Combine your research and evaluation experience with your postsecondary education and workforce training expertise to make a difference in the lives of learners from low-income backgrounds. As a Senior Learning and Impact Officer, you’ll play a key role in supporting learning and evidence-building within one of our grantmaking strategies.
