Your staff is talented. But navigating government systems, writing winning grants, and mobilizing advocates are specialized skills, ones that can be learned. Ascend brings Washington, D.C. expertise directly to your organization.
Most organizations have passionate, dedicated staff, but few have the in-house expertise to advocate effectively in Congress, pursue competitive grants, or develop long-term strategy with confidence. Ascend’s organizational trainings change that, through workshops, intensives, and ongoing coaching that translate complex systems into actionable skills.
Teach your staff how Congress and the Executive Branch actually work, and how to engage them. From scheduling Hill meetings to crafting compelling one-pagers, your team will leave ready to advocate with confidence.
Build internal capacity to research, write, and submit competitive grants. We cover federal and foundation funding, common mistakes that sink applications, and how to build a sustainable grants calendar.
Our CEO Anne Basham’s leadership trainings draw from the highest-stakes influence laboratory in the world, government advocacy, to teach leaders how power moves and how to build coalitions that drive real change.
How It Works
We start with a conversation about your goals, your team’s current skill level, and the specific gaps you want to close. No generic curriculum.
Whether you need a single half-day workshop, a multi-session intensive, or ongoing coaching, we build a format that fits your team’s schedule.
Our trainers are former Congressional staff, federal grant officers, and senior policy professionals who have done this work firsthand.
Every session includes practical exercises, templates, and takeaways your team can put to use right away.
Training Formats
Why Ascend
Trainers with insider experience. Our team has served in senior roles in Congress, the Executive Branch, and leading organizations. We don’t teach theory; we teach what actually works.
Fully customized to your organization. Every training is built around your mission, your sector, and the specific challenges your team faces day to day.
Practical from the first session. Participants leave with templates, frameworks, and action plans they can use immediately. The goal is always real-world application, not just awareness.
A complement to our full service offering. Training with Ascend is a natural extension of our government relations and grants work, positioning you to benefit from our advocacy and funding services as well.
Trainings in Action
Tell us about your mission. Get in touch and we’ll map the path to greater funding and a stronger voice in government.