Contact: Cassandra DeGuide
Dec 8, 2025
MTZ Family Life Center Receives Transformational $1M Donation from Ascendium
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MADISON, Wis. (Dec. 8, 2025) — MTZ Charitable Organization Inc. announced today a transformational $1 million gift from Ascendium Education Group to support the construction of the new MTZ Family Life Center, a multi-purpose community hub designed to strengthen families, equip young people, and expand access to vital services.
A Check Presentation Celebration will take place on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, located at 2019 Fisher St., Madison, WI.
The investment from Ascendium, a Madison nonprofit dedicated to helping more learners reach their postsecondary education and career goals, represents one of the largest single gifts to the project and underscores a shared commitment to building strong civic institutions that empower individuals and families to thrive.
“Ascendium’s extraordinary gift is nothing short of transformational for our community. This investment reaches far beyond bricks and mortar. This gift pours hope, dignity, and opportunity into the lives of people who have often been overlooked and underestimated,” said Dr. Marcus Allen, MTZ Charitable Organization Inc. “We are deeply grateful for Ascendium’s belief in our mission and in the brilliance of every family we serve.”
The 20,000-square-foot Family Life Center will house programs focused on education, youth development, career readiness and family support services.
Key initiatives will include:
Transforming and Reaching Our Youth (T.R.Y.) Program, offering mentorship, tutoring, and leadership development for young people, including those involved in the juvenile justice system.
Support for young adults aging out of youth services, including life-skills coaching and career pathways.
Academic Learning Center, provides after-school and summer enrichment programs designed to help school-age children build academic skills, confidence, and a love of learning.
Family stabilization services, workshops, and counseling aimed at strengthening the foundations of self-governance and community well-being.
Food Pantry, providing healthy and nutritious food for families and community members in need.
Collaborative space for partner organizations, expanding access to needed resources within a single, community-centered facility.
“At Ascendium, our goal is to offer individuals, especially those in underserved communities, opportunities for upward mobility. We do this by breaking down barriers and expanding postsecondary education and workforce pathways to success. We’re thrilled not only to support the Family Life Center but to partner with MTZ Charitable Organization Inc. to create brighter futures for those in our community,” said Brett Lindquist, Ascendum’s Vice President of Communications and Community Engagement.
The capital campaign for the Family Life Center is an $8.3 million effort and to date has raised $4.6 million. The project has received broad support from community groups, philanthropic partners, businesses, and local leaders who recognize the project’s potential to transform lives and strengthen the fabric of the region.
Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2026, with the facility opening to the public in 2027.
About Ascendium
Ascendium Education Group is committed to making education and training after high school a reality for learners from low-income backgrounds. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we fund initiatives across the U.S. that help learners from low-income backgrounds achieve upward mobility; provide student and employee success solutions to colleges and businesses; invest in education-focused innovations to improve learner outcomes; and provide information, tools, and counseling to help millions of borrowers successfully repay their federal student loans. While we have many roles, we have one goal — elevating opportunity by creating a world where everyone can rise to their highest potential. To learn more, visit ascendiumeducation.org.
About MTZ Charitable Organization Inc.
MTZ Charitable Organization Inc. serves children, families, and communities through programs that build stability, foster personal responsibility, and promote the core institutions of civil society. MTZ Charitable Organization Inc. works to equip individuals with the tools and support they need to lead healthy, productive, and purpose-driven lives.
Media Contacts:
Cassandra DeGuide
cassandra@thecreativecompany.com
(608) 442-6336
Kevin Nelson