NEW YORK – January 31st, 2025 – 2024 was a pivotal year for Ascendus. It marked a moment of clarity, commitment, and connection as we embarked on a journey of mapping our clients’ financial pathways, refining how we serve them, and strengthening the foundation for their ascension.
Uplifting Our Mission
After more than 30 years, our mission has never been stronger in 2024:
- 1,310 entrepreneurs accessed capital,
- 7,633 small business owners received financial coaching
- $50.2 million deployed in small business loans and lines of credit.
- 5,933 jobs created or maintained
We proudly supported
- 58% of our clients were low-to moderate-income
- 42% of our clients were women
- 4.5 jobs were created or maintained per loan
Our clients’ businesses had an average revenue of $316,000 reflecting the strength and potential of the entrepreneurs we support.
Celebrating Milestones
2024 wasn’t just about growth in volume but about transition and transformation. We moved boldly from an era of inclusion to one of ascension:
- Through State Small Business Credit Initiatives (SSBCI), we deployed more than $14 million to 2025 entrepreneurs, with an average loan of $68,000.
- 136 lines of credit issued, deploying $2.35 million, with an average loan of $17,300.
- 92 Get Ready clients received $46,000 in initial capital, with 24 graduates accessing an additional $108,000 in increased credit.
- 144 daycare providers were supported with $4 million, with an average of 167 additional jobs created and 283 jobs retained
- We have been re-certified with the Borrowers’ Bill of Rights, reaffirming our commitment to ethical funding
- Recognized as the U.S. Small Business Administration ’s (SBA) Microlender of the Year in Massachusetts and South Florida
Innovating for the Ascension Era
As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded that true growth isn’t just from numbers but through impact. Designing innovative programs, people-centered interventions, and a commitment to financial ascension, we have mapped a brighter, more resilient future for our clients—and the communities they serve. We challenged ourselves to rethink what growth means:
- Tech-enabled tools: The Financial Health Survey (FHS), Ascendus Borrower Index (ABI), and the Customer Portal gave us—and our clients—unparalleled insights into financial ascension
- Tailored support: Empowered clients through bespoke mapping and coaching, creating a roadmap for financial growth
- Nationwide support: We deepened our reach in newer markets like Atlanta and Detroit while strengthening our support in existing ones
- Borrower´s Financial Profile: We now have a holistic financial profile for every borrower that captures their financial and business health—key tools that enable us to better know their pain points, and the solutions they require
2024 was Not Just Growth, but true Ascension!
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About Ascendus
Ascendus is a leading nationwide CDFI with more than 30 years of impact-driven experience. We support small business owners by providing access to capital and financial coaching. Our mission is to help small businesses achieve financial ascension toward lasting success.