Ascend Nonprofit Solutions Inc

STRENGTHENING THE CHARLOTTE AREA'S NONPROFIT COMMUNITY THROUGH ACCESS TO FACILITIES AND SERVICES THAT LEADS TO GREATER IMPACT AND EFFICIENCY.

SHARED SERVICES:PROVIDED SHARED TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE, SERVICES AND END USER SUPPORT AND FINANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES ACROSS AGENCIES, THE CENTER PROVIDES CONSISTENT QUALITY AND BREADTH OF SERVICE AT A COMPETITIVE COST, ALLOWING PARTNER AGENCIES TO MORE EFFECTIVELY DEPLOY RESOURCES FOCUSED ON THEIR CORE MISSIONS. COLLECTIVELY DURING FY 2022 THE CENTER'S SHARED SERVICES AGENCIES: SERVED AS THE SPECIALIZED JUVENILE PUBLIC DEFENDER ON MECKLENBURG COUNTY, USED INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RESOURCES TO INFORM ADVOCACY FOR JUNENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORM; MOVED FAMILIES FROM HOMELESSNESS TO HOUSING, PROVIDE FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERS WITH THE NECESSARY HOMEOWNER PLANNING CLASSES COUNSELING, CREDIT REPORT ANALYSIS, BUDGET PLANNING AND LINKAGE TO DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE RESOURCES; ASSISTED INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP IN PREVENTING FORECLOSURE THROUGH COUNSELING AND CONNECTIONS WITH MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, BUDGETING AND MONEY MANAGEMENT; PROVIDED LOW-COST CLINIC CARE TO 2,039 PATIENTS, LEVERAGED DONATED CARE FROM APPROXIMATELY 1,600 VOLUNTEER PHYSICIANS, DENTISTS, AND ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SERVED 880 MOMS AND INFANTS WITH INTENSIVE HOME VISITATION SERVICES; PROVIDED BATTERED WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH EMERGENCY SHELTER, PROVIDED CRIMINAL AND CIVIL COURT ACCOMPANIMENT TO INDIVIDUALS, LEGAL HOTLINE ASSISTANCE, AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT; IMPLEMENTED A CRADLE-TO-CAREER EDUCATION AND SERVICES CONTINUUM THAT INCLUDES A CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, A PRE-K THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO MEET FAMILY NEEDS; AND PROVIDED PRACTICAL SUPPORT AND SERVICES THAT WILL ENHANCE THE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY HIV. PROVIDED A VARIETY OF MUSIC AND ART EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO AT-RISK CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES AT NO COST TO THE PARTICIPANTS OR THEIR FAMILIES; CREATED LASTING CHANGE FOR THOSE MOST IN NEED THROUGH STRATEGIC COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPY IN A FIVE-COUNTY REGION THAT INCLUDES ANSON, CABARRUS, MECKLENBURG, IREDELL, AND UNION COUNTIES AND IS HOME TO NEARLY 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE. PROVIDED EDUCATION SERVICES BOTH TO YOUTH AND ADULTS, FREE DENTAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES AND A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. BEGAN AN INNOVATIVE PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VALUABLE ASSISTANCE IN FINANCE, HR, AND IT TO 25 GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS LED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR, ALLOWING THEM TO FOCUS ON PROGRAM DELIVERY.

THE CENTER:PROVIDED CLASS A OFFICE SPACE, CONFERENCE ROOMS AND CLIENT VOLUNTEER PARKING IN UPTOWN CHARLOTTE AT A RATE WELL BELOW MARKET TO 12 NONPROFIT AGENCIES THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE CENTER'S PROXIMITY TO THE CHARLOTTE TRANSIT CENTER AND THE PRESENCE OF THE 12 AGENCIES IN ONE BUILDING MAKES IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH COMPLEX NEEDS TO ACCESS SERVICES FROM A VARIETY OF AGENCIES IN ONE VISIT. IT ALSO FOSTERS COLLABORATION AMONGST THE AGENCIES THAT IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF SERVICE PROVIDED TO THEIR CLIENTS. THE CENTER IS A NATIONAL ROLE MODEL FOR COLLABORATION. FIFTEEN GROUPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE CONTACTED THE CENTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SITE VISITS AND TO PARTICIPATE IN WEBINARS TO SHARE THE SECRETS TO OUR SUCCESS.

FISCAL SPONSORSHIPS:THE CENTER PROVIDES FISCAL SPONSORSHIP AD SERVICES TO INCORPORATED GROUPS WHOSE MISSIONS AND CAUSES ARE ALIGNED WITH THE CENTER'S MISSION. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS TO ORGANIZE AROUND SOCIETAL CONCERNS, CONDUCT CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AND RECEIVE TAX-EXEMPT GRANTS AND DONATIONS WITHOUT BUILDING A FULL ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE OR RECEIVING A FORMAL 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT STATUS FROM THE IRS. THIS ENHANCES THE CENTER'S, AS WELL AS THE NONPROFIT SECTOR'S FLEXIBILITY, EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVENESS AND INNOVATION.