Nonprofit · EIN 39-1090394
ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC
Tax-exempt · MADISON, WI 53718
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $118,061,993 | $16,127,018 | $101,934,975 | $3,921,777,659 | $5,815,783 | $3,915,961,876 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $94,918,940 | $14,289,952 | $80,628,988 | $3,555,116,130 | $5,945,911 | $3,549,170,219 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $78,403,388 | $12,531,647 | $65,871,741 | $3,022,286,011 | $5,766,249 | $3,016,519,762 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $0
- Program service revenue
- $451,921
- Investment income
- $117,606,272
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $20,664,769
- Other revenue
- $3,800
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $4,377,393
- Other salaries and wages
- $12,129,159
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $20,077,102
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $210,896
- Accounting fees
- $286,225
- Occupancy
- $795,258
- Travel
- $332,767
- Depreciation
- $1,168,961
- Program services (functional)
- $8,793,959
- Management and general (functional)
- $7,333,059
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $3,555,116,130
- Total assets, end of year
- $3,921,777,659
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $5,815,783
- Net assets, end of year
- $3,915,961,876
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $37,877,552
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $3,915,961,876
- Gross unrelated business income
- -$17,313
- Gross receipts
- $313,500,717
- Employees
- 129
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 1967
- State of legal domicile
- WI
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD D GEORGE - 23 | CHAIRMAN/CIO/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 33 | $809,115 | $75,079 |
| KEITH WITHAM - 3 | PRESIDENT & CEO - AEG Officer | 44 | $483,620 | $47,100 |
| HOPE E MERRY - 3 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 27 | $462,554 | $62,571 |
| JACQUELINE J FAIRBAIRN - 3 | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 44 | $405,548 | $52,669 |
| REBECCA E RAPP - 3 | GEN CNSL & CHIEF PRIV OFC Officer | 31 | $315,947 | $50,665 |
| BRETT G LINDQUIST - 3 | VP - COMMS AND CMNTY ENGMT Officer | 6 | $302,787 | $61,167 |
| ERIC C MALY - 3 | VP - INFO SECURITY AND TECH Officer | 12 | $297,259 | $62,332 |
| MATTHEW R HARLOWE - 3 | DIRECTOR - INTERNAL AUDIT Officer | 43 | $265,407 | $55,997 |
| BETHANY M MILLER - 3 | VP - PLANNING LEARN IMPACT Highest-paid employee | 45 | $197,644 | $40,297 |
| ALYSSA K DUNSIRN - 3 | DIRECTOR - IT SECURITY Highest-paid employee | 45 | $192,015 | $44,386 |
| JESSA L VALENTINE - 3 | DEPUTY DIR - LEARNING & IMP Highest-paid employee | 45 | $183,906 | $52,004 |
| JENNIFER M KRUEGER - 3 | DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 45 | $174,744 | $49,921 |
| CATHERINE M RISSEEUW - 3 | VP - HUMAN RESOURCES Officer | 12 | $160,805 | $56,618 |
| JANICE M HICKS - 3 | DEPUTY DIR - EDUC GRANTMAKING Highest-paid employee | 45 | $160,772 | $56,389 |
| MAUREEN 1144 HARRILL - 3 | VP - HUMAN RESOURCES Former | 0 | $127,883 | $8,440 |
11 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCOTT KLUG - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $55,000 |
| THOMAS BOLDT - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $55,000 |
| ROGER ERVIN - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $50,500 |
| DAVID J HANSON - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $46,000 |
| EMERSON BRUMBACK - 1 | DIRECTOR - VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director | 2 | $46,000 |
| JOAN PRINCE - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $46,000 |
| LESLIE LENZO - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $46,000 |
| LINDA HOESCHLER - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $46,000 |
| MARIA GONZALEZ-KNAVEL - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $46,000 |
| RICHARD A WEISS - 1 | DIRECTOR - SECRETARY Trustee or director | 2 | $46,000 |
| DARREN KING - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $41,500 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 25 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard D George - 23 | CHAIR/PRES/CIO/TREAS Trustee or director, Officer | 33 | $868,757 | $0 | $53,748 |
| Hope E Merry - 3 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 27 | $429,284 | $0 | $58,267 |
| Jacqueline J Fairbairn - 3 | CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 1 | $0 | $326,146 | $47,694 |
| Keith Witham - 3 | VP - EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY Officer | 44 | $317,685 | $0 | $37,563 |
| Brett G Lindquist - 3 | VP - COMMS AND CMNTY ENGMT Officer | 6 | $297,922 | $0 | $57,118 |
| Rebecca E Rapp - 3 | GEN CNSL/CHIEF PRIVACY OFFICER/ASST SECRETARY Officer | 31 | $309,412 | $0 | $43,712 |
| Eric C Maly - 3 | VP - INFO SECURITY AND TECH Officer | 12 | $292,950 | $0 | $55,026 |
| Matthew R Harlowe - 3 | DIRECTOR - INTERNAL AUDIT Officer | 43 | $260,968 | $0 | $47,704 |
| Maureen L Harrill - 3 | VP - HUMAN RESOURCES Officer | 12 | $245,757 | $0 | $33,564 |
| Alexander J Hammond | SENIOR SECURITY ARCHITECT Highest-paid employee | 45 | $184,099 | $0 | $30,308 |
| Jessa L Valentine | DPTY DIR - LEARNING AND IMPACT Highest-paid employee | 45 | $175,994 | $0 | $36,487 |
| Jennifer M Krueger - 3 | DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 45 | $169,546 | $0 | $38,826 |
| Bethany M Miller - 3 | DIRECTOR - LEARNING AND IMPACT Highest-paid employee | 45 | $175,283 | $0 | $21,019 |
| Carolynn E Lee | DPTY DIR - EDUC GRANTMAKING Highest-paid employee | 45 | $167,394 | $0 | $18,754 |
| ROGER ERVIN - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $55,000 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT KLUG - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $27,500 | $27,500 | $0 |
| THOMAS BOLDT - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $55,000 | $0 | $0 |
| DARREN KING - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $0 |
| DAVID J HANSON - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $0 |
| JOAN PRINCE - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $46,000 | $0 | $0 |
| LESLIE LENZO - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $0 |
| LINDA HOESCHLER - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $46,000 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIA GONZALEZ-KNAVEL - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $0 |
| RICHARD A WEISS - 1 | DIRECTOR - SECRETARY Trustee or director | 2 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $0 |
| EMERSON BRUMBACK - 1 | DIRECTOR - VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director | 2 | $18,500 | $18,500 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 25 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD D GEORGE - 23 | CHAIR/PRES/CIO/TREAS Trustee or director, Officer | 33 | $859,566 | $0 | $56,216 |
| HOPE E MERRY - 3 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 27 | $419,711 | $0 | $51,905 |
| JACQUELINE J FAIRBAIRN - 3 | CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER Officer | 1 | $0 | $314,735 | $53,430 |
| REBECCA E RAPP - 3 | GEN CNSL/CHIEF PRIVACY OFFICER/ASST SECRETARY Officer | 31 | $299,538 | $0 | $54,170 |
| BRETT G LINDQUIST - 3 | VP - STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS Officer | 6 | $288,046 | $0 | $56,272 |
| ERIC C MALY - 3 | VP - INFO SECURITY AND TECH Officer | 12 | $253,606 | $0 | $48,540 |
| MATTHEW R HARLOWE - 3 | DIRECTOR INTERNAL AUDIT Officer | 43 | $251,257 | $0 | $33,598 |
| MAUREEN L HARRILL - 3 | VP - HUMAN RESOURCES Officer | 12 | $235,078 | $0 | $42,574 |
| KEITH WITHAM - 3 | VP - EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY Officer | 44 | $210,760 | $0 | $29,812 |
| AMY S KERWIN - 3 | VP - EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY Former | 44 | $194,043 | $0 | $19,462 |
| BETHANY M MILLER - 3 | DIRECTOR - LEARNING AND IMPACT Highest-paid employee | 45 | $187,930 | $0 | $23,561 |
| ALEXANDER J HAMMOND | SENIOR SECURITY ARCHITECT Highest-paid employee | 45 | $177,767 | $0 | $33,519 |
| JENNIFER M KRUEGER - 3 | DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 45 | $168,311 | $0 | $42,322 |
| CATHERINE M RISSEEUW - 3 | MRG - HR TECHNOLOGY & COMP Highest-paid employee | 45 | $149,116 | $0 | $44,132 |
| RICHARD T SCHICK - 3 | SR IT ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEER Highest-paid employee | 45 | $155,382 | $0 | $23,517 |
| RICHARD A WEISS - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $11,900 | $11,900 | $0 |
| ROGER ERVIN - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $23,800 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS BOLDT - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $23,800 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT KLUG - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $10,800 | $10,800 | $0 |
| DAVID J HANSON - 1 | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY Trustee or director | 2 | $9,700 | $9,700 | $0 |
| EMERSON BRUMBACK - 1 | DIRECTOR, VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director | 2 | $9,700 | $9,700 | $0 |
| LINDA HOESCHLER - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $19,400 | $0 | $0 |
| MARIA GONZALEZ-KNAVEL - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $9,700 | $9,700 | $0 |
| MARY BURKE - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $9,700 | $9,700 | $0 |
| JOAN PRINCE - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $17,200 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 38 BUTTONWOOD CT, MADISON, WI 53718-2156
- In care of
- % HOPE MERRY
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- RICHARD GEORGE, 38 BUTTONWOOD COURT, MADISON, WI 53718
- Signed the 990
- RICHARD GEORGE, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
- Phone
- (608) 733-2500
- Website
- WWW.ASCENDIUMEDUCATION.ORG
- Return prepared by
- ERNST & YOUNG US LLP
Mission
ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP, INC. OPERATES FOR THE SUPPORT AND BENEFIT OF ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS, INC.
Program accomplishments
- ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP, INC. OPERATES FOR THE SUPPORT AND BENEFIT OF ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS, INC. (SOLUTIONS). SOLUTIONS SUPPORTS INCREASED ACCESS TO AND SUCCESS IN POSTSECONDAY EDUCATION AS A NATIONAL GRANTMAKER, A FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN GUARANTY AGENCY AND A PROVIDER OF STUDENT SUCCESS SERVICES.Expenses $4,555,684 · revenue $451,921
- IMPACT INVESTING IS ONE OF THE KEY WAYS WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION TO CHAMPION OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE. OUR INVESTMENTS ADVANCE CHANGE TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING SYSTEMS THROUGH NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND SOLUTIONS SO MORE LEARNERS CAN ACHIEVE THEIR ACADEMIC AND CAREER GOALS THROUGH EDUCATION RELATED VENTURE EQUITY AND DEBT INVESTMENTS.Expenses $4,238,275
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 39-1090394
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1967
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B40)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $3,921,777,659
- Income (IRS master file)
- $313,500,717
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $118,061,993 | $16,127,018 | $3,921,777,659 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $94,918,940 | $14,289,952 | $3,555,116,130 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $78,403,388 | $12,531,647 | $3,022,286,011 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $25,305,849 | $70,596,121 | $2,599,459,075 | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 39-1090394).
Questions about ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC
- What is the EIN of ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC is 39-1090394.
- Is ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1967.
- Are donations to ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names RICHARD GEORGE.
- Who are the officers and directors of ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 26 people; 26 received compensation from the organization, the highest $809,115 (RICHARD D GEORGE - 23, CHAIRMAN/CIO/TREASURER).
- How much revenue does ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $118,061,993, expenses of $16,127,018 and total assets of $3,921,777,659 at year end.
Other nonprofits in MADISON
- UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION EIN 39-0743975 · last filed 990 for 2025
- WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION EIN 39-0833612 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS INC EIN 39-1853833 · last filed 990 for 2025
- EDGEWOOD UNIVERSITY INC EIN 39-0806202 · last filed 990 for 2025
- UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PARK INC EIN 39-1509154 · last filed 990 for 2024
- WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSIT EIN 39-1039417 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC EIN 23-7265867 · last filed 990 for 2025
- WISCONSIN MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP INC EIN 47-5663762 · last filed 990 for 2024