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.
Currently Available Positions
Senior Writer
Purpose of Position
Ascendium’s award-winning Strategic Communications team is seeking an experienced and talented writer to join our mission-driven organization. The senior writer would help to communicate the impactful work of our grant partners through crafting and delivering compelling messages to all types of audiences. The senior writer should believe in the power of postsecondary education and workforce training to expand opportunities and reduce inequities and have an interest in developing communications expertise in this area. This position is based at Ascendium's headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin.
Program Officer – Education Grantmaking
Purpose of Position
Ascendium is seeking a program officer with passion to advance our philanthropy in the Support Rural Postsecondary Education and Workforce Training focus area. This individual will be responsible for carrying out grantmaking activities, such as sourcing, developing, analyzing and managing a portfolio of grants strategically aligned with this focus area and its investment priorities. The ideal candidate will have lived experience with and knowledge of rural geographic, economic, educational and cultural environments, plus an enthusiasm for supporting learners from low-income backgrounds, especially rural learners. This position is based at Ascendium’s headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin.
