Ascendium at a Glance
Who We Are
Ascendium Education Group, a nonprofit headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, is committed to helping learners from low-income backgrounds achieve their academic and career goals. Ascendium’s education philanthropy centers on increasing opportunities for learners to achieve upward mobility through high-quality postsecondary education and workforce training. Ascendium is one of the nation’s largest and most active funders of postsecondary education and workforce training initiatives.
A Brief History
- 1967: The Wisconsin Higher Education Corporation, the precursor of today’s Ascendium Education Group, is formed.
- 1988: The Wisconsin Higher Education Corporation changes its name to Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation.
- 2004: Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation establishes a dedicated division to oversee its corporate philanthropy.
- 2018: Great Lakes is acquired by Nelnet Inc. Ascendium Education Group is formed, consisting of education philanthropy, student success and financial wellness solutions, education impact investing, and student loan guaranty services.
What We Fund
We fund initiatives that support learners from low-income backgrounds in accessing, navigating between, and succeeding in postsecondary education and workforce training. Our current focus areas are removing structural barriers to success, streamlining key learner transitions, expanding postsecondary education in prison, and supporting rural postsecondary education and workforce training.
How We Fund
We have a three-pronged funding approach that recognizes initiatives need support at every stage of development to be successful.
- Exploration grants focus on the investigation of innovative ideas.
- Validation grants focus on the rigorous evaluation of the most promising practices.
- Scaling grants focus on the widespread adoption of successful solutions.
Who We Fund
Our grantees typically include postsecondary education and workforce training providers, intermediaries, researchers, and media organizations from across the U.S. that advance large-scale, systemic change.
Our Philanthropy by the Numbers*
| Year | Grant Dollars | Grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $85 million | 84 |
| 2022 | $70.5 million | 59 |
| 2021 | $48 million | 57 |
| 2020 | $44 million | 65 |
| 2019 | $20.6 million | 26 |
| Total | $268.1 million | 291 |
Our Philanthropy in the Future
To maximize the potential impact of our grantmaking, we reviewed our grantmaking strategy in 2024 and will be launching a refreshed strategy in early 2025. This refreshed strategy maintains many of our current grantmaking priorities and goals while also deepening our ability to learn and build evidence across specific areas of postsecondary education and workforce training reform.Referring to Us
Use “Ascendium Education Group” on first reference. In subsequent references within the same communication, just use “Ascendium.”
Describing Us
Use the following description of us in press releases and formal publications.
Ascendium Education Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping people achieve their academic and career goals. Our national philanthropy focuses on increasing opportunities for learners from low-income backgrounds to achieve upward mobility through high-quality learning after high school. Through our grants, we explore innovative ideas, validate promising practices, and scale successful solutions that advance meaningful, systemic change. To learn more, visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org.
Following Us on Social Media
Like and follow our social media channels to stay up to date on the latest philanthropy news, grant awards, and more. If you’re posting about us, tag @Ascendium’s Education Philanthropy on LinkedIn and @AscendiumEP on the other channels.
Media Inquiries
Our media liaison can help you with quotes, interviews, or resources for your story.
Brett Lindquist
Vice President -
Communications and Community Engagement
Other Inquiries
Not finding what you’re looking for here? We have other contacts who may be able to help.
