Two Generations. 
One Future.
Ascend at the Aspen Institute is a hub for breakthrough ideas and collaborations that move children and their parents toward educational success and economic security. Ascend takes a two-generation approach to our work – focusing on children and their parents together – and we bring a gender and racial equity lens to our analysis.
The Time Is Always Right To Do What Is Right
With eyes wide open and steady resolve, the importance of leadership, courage, and conviction can’t be understated. We need leaders to pull us into a post-pandemic world, crack the walls of systemic racism so they come crashing down, and build a society that collaborates to create opportunity for those often blocked from it. Reimagining a…
Four Outstanding Projects Selected for Ascend Impact Fund
Four outstanding organizations and partnerships have been selected to receive flexible grant funding to accelerate their work moving children and families with low incomes toward educational success, economic security, and health and well-being. Ascend Impact Fund awardees are: Association of Children’s Museums and Center for Community Resilience Center for Urban Families, Early Childhood Innovation Network,…
Investing In Futures Means Investing In Families: Announcing The 2Gen Prenatal To Three Learning And Action Community
The COVID-19 pandemic has made more evident than ever the need to transform policies, practice, and systems to build upon the inherent resilience of families – especially those with low incomes and from BIPOC communities. The challenge and opportunity to rebuild systems and help families recover is why Ascend is launching the Two-generation Prenatal to…
RFP Submission Guidelines for the Aspen Policy Acceleration Partnership Grants
Investing in the postsecondary success of students who are parents is one of the most effective strategies for accelerating their economic and social mobility, addressing longstanding inequalities, and building state and local economies. Public sector agencies and their partners can build supportive pathways for student parents toward meaningful degrees and credentials that lead to careers with better pay and benefits. …