Ascend Academy

Ascend Academy is our learning lab for change agents—designed to equip leaders, creatives, and mission-driven organizations with the tools to define, deepen, and drive their impact. Through hands-on courses and curated learning experiences, participants gain clarity, strategy, and community to elevate their work and expand their reach.



Powered by Ascend Solutions, a social impact firm specializing in storytelling and strategy for mission-driven organizations, these courses are built on real, proven methods. Our strategies have helped nonprofits raise over $1,300,000, scale their impact and strengthen their systems. This isn’t theory—it’s a roadmap to results.

Funding with Intention: Designing a Sustainable, Year-Long Fundraising Strategy with Tadean Page

January 20, 10:30-11:30AM EST

Virtual
Fundraising shouldn’t feel reactive or exhausting. This session helps nonprofit leaders and changemakers move from one-off campaigns to a clear, intentional year-long fundraising strategy. Participants will learn how to map fundraising efforts across the year, align revenue goals with mission and capacity, and create sustainable systems that support consistent donor engagement. Walk away with a practical framework to fund your work with confidence, clarity, and long-term impact.


You'll learn how to:

  1. Learn how to move beyond last-minute asks and crisis-driven campaigns by understanding the core elements of a sustainable, year-long fundraising strategy.
  2. Identify key fundraising moments across the calendar and align campaigns, donor touch points, and revenue goals in a way that feels realistic and manageable.
  3. Learn how to structure donor communication throughout the year so supporters feel valued, informed, and connected—not just contacted when money is needed.
  4. Leave with a practical fundraising framework you can use immediately
    Walk away with a clear planning framework and next steps to begin building or refining a year-long fundraising strategy tailored to your organization.


The cost is $75 per person.

Stories That Move: Crafting Narratives That Convert Support into Action with Tadean Page

January 22, 10:30-11:30AM EST

Virtual
People don’t give to statistics—they give to stories. This session equips leaders and organizations with the tools to craft compelling narratives that turn impact into action. Participants will learn how to tell authentic, ethical stories that build trust, deepen connection, and inspire donors, partners, and communities to engage. Whether for fundraising, marketing, or advocacy, this workshop will help you move beyond telling what you do and start telling stories that truly move people.

You'll learn how to:

  1. Understand how donors and partners make funding decisions and identify the specific narrative elements that move people from interest to investment.
  2. Develop a clear signature story that communicates mission, impact, and urgency in a way that is easy to repeat, remember, and share.
  3. Learn how to turn programs, outcomes, and data into emotionally resonant messaging that supports donor appeals, sponsorship asks, and funding conversations.
  4. Walk away with a practical framework for pitching your organization to individual donors, corporate partners, and community supporters without sounding transactional or desperate.


The cost is $75 per person.

Raise Capital with Purpose: How Founders Can Win With Investors (For Profits) with Ryan Sanderson

January 29, 10:30-11:30AM EST

Virtual
Getting funded isn’t just about having a good idea—it’s about being prepared to pitch it with clarity, confidence, and strategy. Whether you're just starting the conversation around raising capital or looking to fine-tune your approach, this 60-minute workshop is your launchpad.


Led by entrepreneur and investor-backed founder Ryan Sanderson, this session will equip you with the mindset, tools, and tactics to take the guesswork out of pitching and start building your roadmap to investment. You'll learn how to:

  1. Strategically prepare your business for funding—even if you’re early-stage
  2. Pitch with clarity and structure, grounded in what investors actually look for
  3. Navigate the investor landscape and find those aligned with your mission
  4. Build trust and credibility—through numbers, narrative, and confidence


The cost is $125 per person.