About Ascension Foundation
To improve health of the most vulnerable by addressing pressing non-medical needs and making lasting change through partnerships, programming, and philanthropic support. Inspired by Catholic tradition, we work to address the non-medical needs that have outsized effects on health and wellbeing, investing in solutions that create positive generational change.
Focus Areas
Maternal health / postpartum careHealthcare workforce development / pipeline to health professionsK-12 STEM engagement (#GOALS) and scholarshipsCommunity-based services addressing social determinants of healthImpact investing
Who They Fund
low-income youthsenior adults / older adultscollege and medical studentspeople in crisisunderserved / culturally diverse communities
About Ascension Foundation
Ascension Foundation’s grantmaking is built around two recurring priorities: strengthening the healthcare pipeline and supporting mothers and babies in the postpartum year. Recent grants show that pattern clearly. The largest awards went to Wayne State University School of Medicine and Wayne State University in Detroit, each at $432,000, alongside Meharry Medical College in Nashville, which received $406,174 in 2024 and $404,800 in 2023. Those grants point to a sustained emphasis on medical education and college initiatives tied to future healthcare careers. The foundation also funds community-based work around maternal health and other non-medical needs that affect wellbeing. In 2024 it gave $49,400 to Ascension DePaul Services in New Orleans for reducing barriers and building cultural bridges, and $46,161 to Sisters of St Joseph Dear Neighbor Ministries Inc. in Wichita for support of people in crisis. Its broader approach combines scholarships, partnerships, and direct program support, with grant sizes ranging from modest $10,000 awards to large six-figure commitments. Across the recent list, the foundation’s mix of medical schools, local service providers, and community organizations reflects an interest in long-term health outcomes rather than clinical care alone.
What Ascension Foundation Funds
Healthcare workforce development is a major theme. Ascension Foundation gave $432,000 to Wayne State University School of Medicine to support the school of medicine, and it made a $406,174 grant to Meharry Medical College for college initiatives. Those awards align with its scholarship and pipeline programs for medical students. Maternal health is another clear area of focus. The foundation awarded $50,000 to Saint Thomas Health for general support and $50,000 to Alexian Brothers Health System for general support, while its stated postpartum work centers on the year after birth and community-based services for mothers and babies. It also backs broader community supports. A $34,131 grant to St Agnes HealthCare Inc. was listed as general support, and $10,000 went to Seton Center Inc. for dental services for low-income youth and senior adults. A separate $10,000 grant to St Alexius Outreach Ministries Inc. supported senior center food delivery programs.
How Ascension Foundation Gives
Typical grants cluster around a median of $49,700, with a lower quartile of $12,017 and an upper quartile of $178,637. The recent record shows both one-year support and repeat funding across consecutive years, including the same institutions receiving large awards in 2023 and 2024. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments, but it does direct a portion of its endowment through impact investing. It also uses a mix of general support, institutional support, corporate sponsorship, and program-specific grants. Some active programs accept unsolicited requests, while others, including the medical student scholarship program, do not.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$2.1M
Total Assets
$97.1M
Total Revenue
$9M
Total Expenses
$7.4M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $12K and $179K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$179K
Geographic Reach
Regional7 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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