ASCENSION FUND HISTORY
The Ascension Fund is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit organization that provides grant money to public schools and teachers in Ascension Parish.
It was established in 1991 as a project of the Rotary Club of Gonzales. Original pledges of $800,000 for the creation of The Ascension Fund were placed in an endowment, the income from which now funds the grants. The Fund provided its first grant in 1992, and since that time has given over 1,220 grants representing $1.45 million in awards to area public schools and teachers. The Ascension Fund is guided by a board of directors and the invested funds are overseen by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.
The Fund operates two programs: Grants for Teachers fund grant proposals of $500 and $1,000 for teacher projects for individual classrooms; while School Impact Grants provide $2,500 for creative programs that have a school–wide academic impact.
In 2017, The Ascension Fund celebrated its 25th year anniversary by pledging to continue to increase the quality of education by providing schools and individual teachers with funds to implement new, creative ways for student learning. As Ascension Parish continues to grow, The Ascension Fund will continue to support local schools provide the best education for our children.
It was established in 1991 as a project of the Rotary Club of Gonzales. Original pledges of $800,000 for the creation of The Ascension Fund were placed in an endowment, the income from which now funds the grants. The Fund provided its first grant in 1992, and since that time has given over 1,220 grants representing $1.45 million in awards to area public schools and teachers. The Ascension Fund is guided by a board of directors and the invested funds are overseen by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.
The Fund operates two programs: Grants for Teachers fund grant proposals of $500 and $1,000 for teacher projects for individual classrooms; while School Impact Grants provide $2,500 for creative programs that have a school–wide academic impact.
In 2017, The Ascension Fund celebrated its 25th year anniversary by pledging to continue to increase the quality of education by providing schools and individual teachers with funds to implement new, creative ways for student learning. As Ascension Parish continues to grow, The Ascension Fund will continue to support local schools provide the best education for our children.
ENDOWMENT CONTRIBUTORS
The Ascension Fund relies on the support of local businesses and industries to assist in rewarding teaching excellence in Ascension Parish schools. Contact us by calling 225.290.3322 to find out how you can help.
$150,000 LEVEL INVESTORS$75,000 LEVEL INVESTORS$50,000 LEVEL INVESTORS
$150,000 LEVEL INVESTORS$75,000 LEVEL INVESTORS$50,000 LEVEL INVESTORS
- AllStar Ford/Lincoln
- Arthur G. and Ruth B. Scanlan Memorial
- EATELCORP in memory of Mrs. Anona C. Banker
- M. Paul and Janice LeBlanc Memorial
- PotashCorp-Geismar
- Rubicon
- Vulcan Materials
- Whitney National Bank
- Bill & Pauline Buxton Memorial
- CF Industries
- Capital One Bank
- Chester, Jr. and Penny Diez in memory of Chester, Sr. and Mildred Diez
- Freeport-McMoRan Foundation
- Rotary Club of Gonzales in memory of its deceased members
- Honeywell, Inc.
- Lion Copolymer
- Neese Industries, Inc.
- Oxy Chemical
- Philippe Family in memory of Raymond Philippe, Sr., A.S. “Blue” Philippe and David “Wolfie” Philippe
- Regions Bank
- Rotary Club of East Ascension in memory of Sgt. Jay Ryan Gauthreaux
- Southwest Computer Bureau
- St. Elizabeth Hospital
- Terra Mississippi Nitrogen, Inc.
- Turner Industries
- Williams-Olefin
- Ascension Health & Nutrition Alliance (Leadership Ascension 2014)
- Air Products
- Buddy & Martha Wells
- Claire Carline Memorial
- Claude & Carolyn Songy
- Fritz Englade, Sr. Family
- Helping Dreams Come True Class of 2032 - Leadership Ascension 2018
- Hughes Insurance Services
- InfiniEDGE Software, Inc.
- Jarred Michael Russo Memorial Endowment - Graduate of East Ascension High School (1999), Graduate of L.S.U. - B.S. College of Education (2006)
- Pujol, Pryor & Irwin
- Randy J. Braud Memorial
- Ronald W. Baron
- Roy Stern Memorial
- Viola Philippe in memory of Ed and Virginia Braud, Jr.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Ascension Fund is overseen by a Board of Directors to consist of no less than eleven (11) nor more than twenty-two (22) members.
The board meets monthly on the 1st Thursday of each month.
The board meets monthly on the 1st Thursday of each month.
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Bret Hughes, President
Hughes Insurance Services Craig Walling, Vice President C&C Treasures Lisa Philippe Dunigan, Secretary The Philippe Family Brad J. Walker, Treasurer InfiniEdge Software, Inc. Michael Buturla Domain Architecture Holly Daigle OneSource EHS Sherrie Despino East Ascension Rotary Club |
Sally Diez, Past President
Diez, Dupuy & Ruiz, LLC Malcolm J. Dugas, Jr. Attorney Alsie Dunbar STEM Gems Fritz Englade, Sr. River Parish Security System Co., Inc. Sonny Graugnard Graugnard Furniture Amy Hathorn-Lambert Ascension Health & Nutrition Alliance Juanita Pearley Donaldsonville Chamber of Commerce |
Timothy Pujol
Pujol, Pryor & Irwin Paulette Rosamond BASF Corporation Donald Songy Ascension Parish School Board Superintendent (retired) Buddy Wells All Star Ford/Lincoln |
STAFF
Jennifer deFrances
Executive Director
Executive Director