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EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY DIVISION OF ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP

All Grants

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Jesuit Prison Education

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Loyola University New Orleans|$1,200,000|12/2022 - 11/2025
This grant supports the Jesuit Prison Education Network (JPEN), a nationwide coalition of Jesuit colleges, in developing best practices and sharing resources to strengthen postsecondary education in prison programs across the network. JPEN and its research center, the Jesuit Social Research Institute, will strengthen the capacity of member programs to evaluate their programs and build capacity for continuous improvement.

Finish Line

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Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison Inc|$750,000|12/2023 - 11/2025
This grant supports Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison Inc in expanding its programming to more students transitioning from in-prison to free-world postsecondary education. It will also enable Hudson Link to engage in a formative evaluation to improve its services and share lessons learned with other program operators.

Increasing Opportunities for Justice-Impacted Learners

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The Education Trust Inc|$1,157,500|11/2023 - 10/2025
This grant supports The Education Trust in delivering a fellowship program focused on building a cohort of formerly incarcerated college graduates who can serve as field leaders and are equipped to inform and strengthen policy and research regarding postsecondary education in prison.

Scaling CDL Training and Career Pathways for Formerly Incarcerated Learners

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Join Freeworld Inc|$741,750|10/2024 - 9/2025
This grant supports Join FreeWorld in creating more opportunities for formerly incarcerated learners to enter living wage careers by expanding its delivery of CDL truck driver training in partnership with American Job Centers and other local and state workforce training organizations.

Supporting the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison’s Field Leadership

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Alliance for Higher Education in Prison|$750,000|10/2024 - 9/2025
This grant supports the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison in conducting coordination, technical assistance, and an annual convening for the field of Postsecondary Education in Prison.

Leveraging NCAN Members to Increase Success for Incarcerated Learners

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National College Attainment Network|$630,000|10/2023 - 9/2025
This grant supports the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) in developing technical assistance for its members tailored to postsecondary education in prison. With its support, more NCAN members will partner with postsecondary education in prison programs to deliver supportive services to incarcerated learners.

Prevalence of Lived Experience in Leadership Positions

Other
The Urban Institute |$100,000|9/2024 - 8/2025
This grant supports Urban Institute in understanding the prevalence of lived experiences in or adjacent to the criminal justice system, including personal history of incarceration, among nonprofit organizational leaders. The project will identify best practices and develop data collection tools funders can use to understand the extent to which their grantees are led by individuals with relevant lived experience.

Supporting the Expansion of the THRIVE Program

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The College & Community Fellowship Inc|$522,710|9/2024 - 8/2025
This grant supports College & Community Fellowship to refine and expand its THRIVE training and coaching program, which helps college campuses and employers strengthen their ability to serve individuals after release from incarceration.

Formerly Incarcerated Leaders Fellowship

Other
Rockwood Leadership Institute|$938,239|8/2023 - 8/2025
This grant supports Rockwood Leadership Institute in developing and piloting a professional learning cohort for formerly incarcerated leaders working within the field of postsecondary education in prison.

Implementing an Evaluability Assessment

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Reentry Campus Program|$250,000|12/2022 - 8/2025
This grant supports Reentry Campus Program in continuing to strengthen its core programming aimed at helping incarcerated and formerly incarcerated learners identify a career path, gain college credit and complete degrees and certificates. The grant also supports their capacity to work with an external evaluator to define their unique program model and lay the groundwork for future evaluation.