Nonprofit · EIN 39-1853833
ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS INC
Tax-exempt · MADISON, WI 53718
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $186,045,000 | $196,689,891 | -$10,644,891 | $213,349,472 | $13,604,719 | $199,744,753 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $266,994,248 | $169,298,500 | $97,695,748 | $222,593,303 | $12,196,962 | $210,396,341 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $298,192,646 | $119,504,517 | $178,688,129 | $351,464,064 | $28,901,730 | $322,562,334 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $0
- Program service revenue
- $177,658,157
- Investment income
- $6,512,528
- Other revenue
- $1,874,315
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $147,060,749
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,713,428
- Other salaries and wages
- $11,293,625
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $17,039,517
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $41,619
- Accounting fees
- $217,711
- Travel
- $186,140
- Program services (functional)
- $185,724,909
- Management and general (functional)
- $10,964,982
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $222,593,303
- Total assets, end of year
- $213,349,472
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $13,604,719
- Net assets, end of year
- $199,744,753
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $199,744,753
- Gross unrelated business income
- $11,794
- Gross receipts
- $186,045,000
- Employees
- 162
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 1996
- 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 | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD D GEORGE - 23 | CHAIRMAN/TREASURER Trustee or director | 17 | $0 | $809,115 | $75,079 |
| JEFFERY E CROSBY - 3 | PRESIDENT & CEO - AES Officer | 45 | $572,573 | $0 | $51,374 |
| HOPE E MERRY - 3 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 23 | $0 | $462,554 | $62,571 |
| BETH A ERICKSON - 3 | VP - REPAYMENT SOLUTIONS Officer | 45 | $332,700 | $0 | $25,105 |
| JEFFREY S DICK - 3 | SYSTEMS ANALYST Highest-paid employee | 45 | $185,045 | $0 | $31,786 |
| BENJAMIN C LEE - 3 | VP - GUARANTY SUPPORT SVCS Officer | 45 | $162,140 | $0 | $50,101 |
| CARMEN N RIEG - 3 | DIRECTOR - RECOVERY ADMIN Highest-paid employee | 45 | $156,316 | $0 | $46,516 |
| BARBARA A WILHELM - 3 | DIR - CLAIMS REVIEW Highest-paid employee | 45 | $168,721 | $0 | $33,299 |
| ROGER A ELDRIDGE - 3 | NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 45 | $155,118 | $0 | $29,256 |
| KRISTI K MYERS - 3 | SYSTEMS INTEGRATION ANLST Highest-paid employee | 45 | $147,230 | $0 | $17,029 |
| SCOTT KLUG - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $55,000 | $0 |
| CYNTHIA WALSH - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $46,000 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID J HANSON - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $46,000 | $0 |
| EMERSON BRUMBACK - 1 | DIRECTOR - VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $46,000 | $0 |
| LESLIE LENZO - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $46,000 | $0 |
3 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARIA GONZALEZ-KNAVEL - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $46,000 |
| RICHARD A WEISS - 1 | DIRECTOR - SECRETARY Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $46,000 |
| DARREN KING - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $41,500 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 23 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard D George - 23 | CHAIRMAN & TREASURER Trustee or director | 17 | $0 | $868,757 | $53,748 |
| Jeffery E Crosby - 3 | PRESIDENT & CEO - AES Officer | 30 | $567,962 | $0 | $41,532 |
| Hope E Merry - 3 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 23 | $0 | $429,284 | $58,267 |
| Jacqueline J Fairbairn - 3 | VP - POL & REG COMPLIANCE Officer | 44 | $326,146 | $0 | $47,694 |
| Beth A Erickson - 3 | VP - REPAYMENT SOLUTIONS Officer | 45 | $326,486 | $0 | $28,990 |
| Brett G Lindquist - 3 | VP - STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS Officer | 39 | $0 | $297,922 | $57,118 |
| Rebecca E Rapp - 3 | GEN CNSL & ASST SECRETARY Officer | 14 | $0 | $309,412 | $43,712 |
| Eric C Maly - 3 | VP - INFO SECURITY AND TECH Officer | 33 | $0 | $292,950 | $55,026 |
| Matthew R Harlowe - 3 | DIRECTOR - INTERNAL AUDIT Officer | 2 | $0 | $260,968 | $47,704 |
| Maureen L Harrill - 3 | VP - HUMAN RESOURCES Officer | 33 | $0 | $245,757 | $33,564 |
| Jeffrey S Dick - 3 | SYSTEMS ANALYST Officer | 45 | $180,667 | $0 | $36,165 |
| Caralyn A Hansen - 3 | ATTIGO SR MKTG STRATEGIST Officer | 45 | $162,474 | $0 | $42,941 |
| Carmen N Rieg - 3 | DIRECTOR - RECOVERY ADMIN Officer | 45 | $152,780 | $0 | $44,007 |
| Barbara A Wilhelm - 3 | DIRECTOR - CLAIMS REVIEW Officer | 45 | $165,570 | $0 | $27,406 |
| Roger A Eldridge - 3 | NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Officer | 45 | $149,464 | $0 | $25,975 |
| SCOTT KLUG - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $27,500 | $27,500 | $0 |
| CYNTHIA WALSH - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $46,000 | $0 | $0 |
| DARREN KING - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $0 |
| DAVID J HANSON - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $0 |
| LESLIE LENZO - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $0 |
| MARIA GONZALEZ-KNAVEL - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $0 |
| RICHARD A WEISS - 1 | DIRECTOR - SECRETARY Trustee or director | 1 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $0 |
| EMERSON BRUMBACK - 1 | DIRECTOR - VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director | 1 | $18,500 | $18,500 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 17 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD D GEORGE - 23 | CHAIRMAN & TREASURER Trustee or director | 17 | $0 | $859,566 | $56,216 |
| JEFFERY E CROSBY - 3 | PRES/CEO-AES Officer | 30 | $557,987 | $0 | $48,802 |
| HOPE E MERRY - 3 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 23 | $0 | $419,711 | $51,905 |
| JACQUELINE J FAIRBAIRN - 3 | VP - POL & REG COMPLIANCE Officer | 44 | $314,735 | $0 | $53,430 |
| BETH A ERICKSON - 3 | VP - REPAYMENT SOLUTIONS Officer | 45 | $316,742 | $0 | $35,823 |
| JEFFREY S DICK - 3 | SYSTEMS ANALYST Highest-paid employee | 45 | $177,213 | $0 | $44,733 |
| BARBARA A WILHELM - 3 | DIRECTOR - CLAIMS REVIEW Highest-paid employee | 45 | $165,466 | $0 | $29,502 |
| CARALYN A HANSEN - 3 | ATTIGO SR MKTG STRATEGIST Highest-paid employee | 45 | $147,018 | $0 | $43,405 |
| CARMEN N RIEG - 3 | DIRECTOR - RECOVERY ADMIN Highest-paid employee | 45 | $146,029 | $0 | $43,471 |
| ROGER A ELDRIDGE - 3 | NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 45 | $142,508 | $0 | $44,947 |
| RICHARD A WEISS - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $11,900 | $11,900 | $0 |
| SCOTT KLUG - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $10,800 | $10,800 | $0 |
| CYNTHIA WALSH - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $19,400 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID J HANSON - 1 | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY Trustee or director | 1 | $9,700 | $9,700 | $0 |
| EMERSON BRUMBACK - 1 | DIRECTOR, VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director | 1 | $9,700 | $9,700 | $0 |
| MARIA GONZALEZ-KNAVEL - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $9,700 | $9,700 | $0 |
| MARY BURKE - 1 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $9,700 | $9,700 | $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, CHAIRMAN/TREASURER
- Phone
- (608) 733-2559
- Website
- WWW.ASCENDIUMEDUCATION.ORG
- Return prepared by
- ERNST & YOUNG US LLP
Mission
ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS, INC. OPERATES TO PROVIDE FOR PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT AND COST EFFECTIVE ENABLEMENT OF ACCESS TO AND PERSISTENCE IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION BY PROVIDING FULL-RANGE GUARANTY AGENCY SERVICES AND GRANT SUPPORT TO FUNDING SOURCES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, IN PURSUIT OF AND PARTICIPATION IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965, AS AMENDED. THIS MISSION STATEMENT HAS BEEN REVIEWED, ACKNOWLEDGED AND INFORMALLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD.
Program accomplishments
- ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS, INC. OPERATES TO PROVIDE COST EFFECTIVE ENABLEMENT OF ACCESS TO AND SUCCESS IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION BY PROVIDING FULL-RANGE GUARANTY AGENCY SERVICES TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHERS IN PURSUIT OF AND PARTICIPATION IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965, AS AMENDED.Expenses $173,979,513 · grants $4,696,293 · revenue $179,520,678
- ASCENDIUM'S EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY FOCUSES ON INCREASING OPPORTUNITY FOR UPWARD ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR LEARNERS FROM LOW-INCOME BACKGROUNDS THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING. GRANTMAKING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES SUPPORT INNOVATION, EVALUATION AND EVIDENCE-BUILDING, AND SCALING SOLUTIONS THAT ARE PROVEN TO HELP MORE LEARNERS ACHIEVE STRONG CAREER OUTCOMES. ASCENDIUM ALSO MAINTAINS PHILANTHROPIC INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON THE SUCCESS OF LEARNERS WHO EXPERIENCE GREATER BARRIERS TO UPWARD MOBILITY, INCLUDING RURAL LEARNERS AND THOSE EXPERIENCING INCARCERATION.Expenses $10,616,766 · grants $131,476,450
- 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 $927,220 · grants $81,000
- ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS, INC. PROVIDES PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES - WHERE ITS EMPLOYEES LIVE AND WORK, PRIMARILY CONCENTRATED IN MADISON, WISCONSIN. THIS SUPPORT INCLUDES EDUCATION-FOCUSED COMMUNITY GIVING, AN EMPLOYEE GIVING PROGRAM, AND FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES THAT ALIGN WITH OUR EDUCATION FOCUS. COMMUNITY GIVING EFFORTS FOCUS ON SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND POST SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. THE ASCENDIUM CARES PROGRAM FEATURES AN ANNUAL EMPLOYEE CHARITY FUNDRAISING DRIVE, A VOLUNTEER TIME-OFF PROGRAM, AND FINANCIAL MATCHING FOR TIME AND FUNDS DONATED TO ELIGIBLE NONPROFITS. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE FREE TRAINING AND MEETING SPACE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL NONPROFITS.Expenses $201,410 · grants $9,217,006
- ASCENDIUM'S TOOLS OF THE TRADE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDING TO APPRENTICES FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO THEIR TRAINING, INCLUDING THE PURCHASE OF TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, TUITION AND MORE. THIS IS THE TENTH YEAR OF OUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. SINCE 2013 THE PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED OVER $5 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO ELIGIBLE CONSTRUCTION ABD INDUSTRIAL TRADE APPRENTICES ENROLLED AT A WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM (WCTS) COLLEGE.grants $1,590,000
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
- 39-1853833
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1997
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B82Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $213,349,472
- Income (IRS master file)
- $186,045,000
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $186,045,000 | $196,689,891 | $213,349,472 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $266,994,248 | $169,298,500 | $222,593,303 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $298,192,646 | $119,504,517 | $351,464,064 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $388,928,491 | $166,575,071 | $289,805,860 | 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 39-1853833).
Questions about ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS INC
- What is the EIN of ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS INC is 39-1853833.
- Is ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1997.
- Are donations to ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS 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 SOLUTIONS 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 SOLUTIONS 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 SOLUTIONS INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names RICHARD GEORGE.
- Who are the officers and directors of ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 18 people; 9 received compensation from the organization.
- How much revenue does ASCENDIUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $186,045,000, expenses of $196,689,891 and total assets of $213,349,472 at year end.
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