Good Neighbor Grant spotlight: Melissa’s story

Supporting foster families is one of Melissa’s passions, stemming from her background as an adoptee and former foster care parent. That passion is the reason she nominated social service nonprofit Sunbeam Family Services for one of Ascendium’s Good Neighbor Grants.

In this video, Melissa shares her story, from a chance encounter with Sunbeam’s executives to a plan to get involved with the foster care program the grant is funding.

About Ascendium’s Good Neighbor Grants

Part of our Ascendium Cares program, Good Neighbor Grants empower Ascendium employees to direct funds to the causes and organizations they’re most passionate about. Over a span of several months, employees research, nominate, and vote for nonprofits doing impactful work in their communities. The top vote-getters are then awarded a Good Neighbor Grant.

Ascendium first started Good Neighbor Grants in 2021 as a way to personalize and deepen the connection employees have to their community and to Ascendium’s mission. Since that time, Ascendium has awarded 50 nonprofits a Good Neighbor Grant for a total award amount of $2.3 million. The selected nonprofits encompass a wide range of causes, including education, child welfare, literacy, and community development.