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Ascendium Education Philanthropy is a division of Ascendium Education Group.

Awarded Grants

The grants we award advance our core strategies to Expand Opportunity, Support Learner Success, and Connect and Align Systems. They also promote field support and development efforts across strategies.

Strategies

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Employability Skills for HEP Curriculum

Support
The QA Commons Inc|$227,900|8/2023 - 6/2026
This grant supports the QA Commons in integrating employability skills and college transitions supports into the Missouri Department of Corrections' Career and Technical Education programs for incarcerated learners.

Site-Specific Evaluation of Academic Recovery Innovations

Support
The Regents of the University of California, on behalf of its Riverside campus|$85,380|8/2023 - 4/2026
This grant supports The Regents of the University of California, on behalf of its Riverside campus, in evaluating a campus-level intervention (“academy recovery model”) targeting students who fail in critical courses. This institution-level evaluation will provide insights into localized implementation and create the conditions for a potential future evaluation to determine the interventions’ impact on student outcomes.

Site-Specific Evaluation of Academic Recovery Innovations

Support
University of Utah|$185,000|8/2023 - 4/2026
This grant supports University of Utah in evaluating a campus-level intervention (“academy recovery model”) targeting students who fail in critical courses. This institution-level evaluation will provide insights into localized implementation and create the conditions for a potential future evaluation to determine the interventions’ impact on student outcomes.

Site-Specific Evaluation of Academic Recovery Innovations

Support
Arizona State University Foundation for a New American University|$164,200|8/2023 - 12/2025
This grant supports Arizona State University Foundation for a New American University in evaluating a campus-level intervention (“academy recovery model”) targeting students who fail in critical courses. This institution-level evaluation will provide insights into localized implementation and create the conditions for a potential future evaluation to determine the interventions’ impact on student outcomes.

Supporting National Reporting on Postsecondary Education and Workforce Training

Field Development
Teachers College, Columbia University|$450,000|8/2023 - 8/2025
This grant supports The Hechinger Report (Hechinger), a publication of the Teachers College at Columbia University, in producing high-quality reporting on emerging trends, challenges, and promising solutions in postsecondary education and workforce training. While continuing to distribute content through its primary website and newsletter outlets, Hechinger will broaden its reach via social media and by partnering with 200+ national news outlets.

State Policy Barriers for Students Impacted by the Justice System

Connect
Education Commission of the States|$398,101|8/2023 - 7/2025
This grant supports Education Commission of the States in addressing state-level policy gaps and opportunities to strengthen postsecondary education in prison. Its convenings, reports and policy monitoring will inform and encourage state action supportive of incarcerated learners.

Site-Specific Evaluation of Academic Recovery Innovations

Support
The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois|$158,700|8/2023 - 6/2025
This grant supports The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois in evaluating a campus-level intervention (“academy recovery model”) targeting students who fail critical courses. This institution-level evaluation will provide insights into localized implementation and create the conditions for a potential future evaluation to determine the interventions’ impact on student outcomes.

Supporting the Future U. Podcast 7th Season

Field Development
Academic Intelligence|$60,000|8/2023 - 7/2024
This grant supports Academic Intelligence in producing the Future U. podcast series, which features interviews with national thought leaders and innovators working to improve student success in postsecondary education. Future U. will produce four episodes that specifically explore issues related to and insights generated from Ascendium’s grantmaking.

Project Success Formative and Summative Assessment

Support
Achieving the Dream Inc|$400,000|7/2023 - 6/2026
This grant supports Achieving the Dream in evaluating Project Success at its partner Tribal Colleges and Universities. The two-part assessment will provide critical lessons for Achieving the Dream, the participating institutions and the broader field on implementing student-facing practices.

Supporting Expansion of a Jobs-First Higher Education Model in Healthcare

Expand
Propel America|$750,000|7/2023 - 6/2026
This grant supports Propel America in preparing for growth of its short-term, credit-bearing training that leads to an industry-validated credential and employment in healthcare jobs for young adults from low-income backgrounds without a postsecondary degree.