Ascend Consulting Services

Our services are designed to fit your organizations' specific needs and budget. Please contact us for details on fees and packages. 

 
 

One of Ascend's greatest strengths is grant writing. After reviewing your organization’s structure, budget, and needs, we will work with you to identify new funding opportunities, develop compelling grant narrative and apply for grants that best fit your unique mission and programming. We have experience with state and federal public sector funding, statewide and national private sector funding, and our grant writers have a track record of numerous successful grant applications resulting in millions of dollars in awards to non-profit organizations. We also focus on helping each organization we work with learn how to manage their grants and sustain their growth by accurately reporting on and evaluating the effectiveness of their programming and setting up internal processes for proper allocation of funds. 

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Ascend Consulting will work with you to asses and/or develop fundraising plans and strategies. We will analyze your current development efforts, evaluate strategies for growth, and help you create a customized development plan to reach your financial goals. This may include identifying earned income potential, enhancing you volunteer and donor cultivation strategies, grant campaign creation and management, events and/or other fundraising activities.

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Executive Directors have a tough job. It's difficult to lead an organization, keep up with emerging best practices, and ensure the organization is funded and sustainable while successfully maintaining the day-to-day operations. Ascend works alongside leaders to support them through transitions and times of growth by helping them identify and develop specific personal and professional goals to increase their effectiveness.

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Ascend Consultants will help leaders and their Boards assess organizational effectiveness and identify opportunities for growth/change. We can also develop strategies and processes to ensure that Board Members are informed about their roles and responsibilities and actively engaged in moving the organization forward. This includes the development and/or updating of board documents and materials to ensure that the Board is functioning to the best of its ability and able to recruit new members.

Successful grants written to:


Archie and Bertha Walker Foundation
Cargill Foundation
Carlson Family Foundation
Catapult Foundation
Central Minnesota Initiative Foundation
Cities 97
Duluth Superior Community Foundation
Edina Realty Foundation
Elim Foundation
Elizabeth Quinlan Foundation
ESG Ramsey County
F.R. Bigelow Foundation

Gannett Foundation/KARE 11
George Family Foundation
Hardenbergh Foundation
Hennepin County Bar Association Foundation
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation
Hunger Solutions
Jarden Commujity Solutions
Kinney Family Foundation
Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation
Luther Reploegle Foundation
Lutheran Women's Mission League
March Family Foundation
Mardag Foundation
Margaret Rivers Fund
Mary Bradley Fund
MAXIMUS Foundation
Minneapolis Foundation
Minnesota Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
Minnesota State Bar Foundation
North Heights Lutheran Church
Nortland Foundation
Open Your Heart Foundation
NOVO Foundation
O'Neil Foundation
Ordean Foundation
Otto Bremer Foundation
Patrick and Aimee Butler Foundation
Plymouth Congregational Church
Presbyterian Women
Ramsey County Bar Association Foundation
Ramsey County Emergency Shelter Grant
Ramsey County Youth
Richard A. Schulze Foundation
Rochester Area Foundation
Roundy's Foundation
Sisbro Social Justice Fund
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
SpartanNash Foundation
St. Paul Children's Collaborative
St. Paul Foundation
Target Commuity Giving Program
United Methodist Foundation
United States Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
United States Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)
United Way
Uponor Foundation
Walmart Foundation
WCA Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation of Minnesota
Women of Influence Giving Circle
Women's Foundation
Youthprise
Zonta International