Ready for Pell
Scaling
Jobs for the Future Inc|$4,984,528|9/2021 - 4/2024
This grant supports Jobs for the Future Inc (JFF) in leading Ascendium’s Ready for Pell initiative, including identifying and selecting high-capacity postsecondary education providers; surfacing and disseminating best practices; and providing technical assistance to enable institutions to implement best practices. JFF will also manage the third-party evaluation and share lessons from the initiative to inform efforts to scale access to Pell in prison settings.
Preparing Incarcerated Learners for Careers in Technology
Exploration
The LaunchCode Foundation|$967,700|12/2020 - 12/2023
This grant supports The LaunchCode Foundation in expanding access to their foundational coding/web development training and employment program to incarcerated students in several Missouri prison facilities. The goal of the project is to increase workforce training opportunities and improve employment outcomes for incarcerated adults while providing a pathway to further education.
Building Executive Leadership Capacity
Exploration
Alliance for Higher Education in Prison|$130,000|12/2022 - 12/2023
This grant supports the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison in building executive and organizational capacity in its emerging role as a field convener and resource hub for postsecondary education in prison programs nationwide.
Conducting an Evaluability Assessment of Reentry Campus Program
Validation
Research Triangle Institute|$242,617|12/2022 - 12/2023
This grant supports Research Triangle Institute in assessing the evaluation readiness of Reentry Campus Program (RCP) through a one-year evaluability assessment. This work will assess RCP's operations and data collection to provide them with actionable steps to prepare for a rigorous study of how its approach contributes to positive postsecondary outcomes for currently/previously incarcerated learners.
Optimizing Delivery Systems for Higher Education in Prison Evaluation
Validation
Second Chance Educational Alliance Inc|$350,000|1/2020 - 12/2023
This grant supports the Second Chance Educational Alliance in evaluating the initiative and synthesizing lessons learned across participating sites.
Transforming Higher Education Policy and Practice in Prisons and Beyond
Exploration
The Education Trust Inc|$815,000|5/2020 - 11/2023
This grant supports The Education Trust in developing two distinct but interconnected leadership development programs that will engage formerly incarcerated learners and postsecondary education in prison practitioners in an intentional learning exchange, producing nuanced reports and analysis and informing improvements to institutional practice.
Increasing Access to Educational Materials in Prisons: Facilitating the Approvals Process
Exploration
Ithaka Harbors Inc|$800,000|10/2020 - 9/2023
This grant supports Ithaka Harbors in developing and making accessible a robust digital educational resource for incarcerated learners, as well as undertaking a major research initiative that will inform institutional change across the postsecondary education in prison field. The goal of the project is to leverage technology to increase learner success, while improving instruction and curricula.
Expanding Access to Postsecondary Pathways in Louisiana State Prisons
Exploration
Operation Restoration|$650,000|6/2020 - 5/2023
This grant supports Operation Restoration in the planning and implementation of a bachelor’s degree program that will leverage technology to support incarcerated students in multiple facilities across the Louisiana State Prison System. The organization will also pilot an innovative advising model that trains students with long-term sentences as academic advisors.
Unlocking the Promise of Pell for Students in Prison
Scaling
Vera Institute of Justice Inc|$1,100,000|4/2020 - 12/2022
This grant supports Vera Institute of Justice in providing meaningful and in-depth technical assistance, training and advising to new and existing Second Chance Pell Initiative college sites and their state corrections system partners. The goal is to ensure the implementation of high-quality postsecondary education in prison and to help the field grow a cohort of correctional administrators prepared to support the broad expansion of such programs.
Thrive Technical Assistance Program
Exploration
The College and Community Fellowship Inc|$733,510|1/2020 - 12/2022
This grant supports College and Community Fellowship in increasing their capacity to provide in-depth technical assistance to higher education institutions and organizations seeking to implement evidence-based, student success components that are uniquely designed to meet the needs of learners transitioning from prison to a traditional campus setting.
