MetLife Foundation & Ascendus: Investing Early to Unlock Financial Mobility

At Ascendus, we know that lasting progress begins early. Before a business qualifies for traditional financing, entrepreneurs need readiness, confidence, and the financial habits that allow them to move forward with stability. Access to capital matters, but access alone is not enough. 

Our long-standing partnership with MetLife Foundation reflects a shared commitment to investing early in entrepreneurs and building pathways that lead to long-term financial mobility.

A 22-Year Partnership Rooted in Opportunity 

MetLife Foundation made its first grant to Ascendus in 2003, marking the beginning of a partnership that now spans more than 22 years. Since then, MetLife Foundation has provided more than $1.6 million in grant support, helping Ascendus expand access to capital, strengthen financial education, and design solutions that respond to real-world barriers entrepreneurs face. 

This sustained collaboration has enabled Ascendus to pilot new approaches, test readiness-focused tools, and deepen our understanding of what it takes to help entrepreneurs build a stronger financial foundation.

Powering the Get Ready Program Pilot 

Most recently, MetLife Foundation supported the pilot phase of Ascendus’ Get Ready Program, an entry point designed for entrepreneurs who are not yet ready for larger loans but are ready to begin building credit and financial stability. 

Through this pilot, Ascendus served 54 New York City-based small business owners. Each participant received a $500 Get Ready loan, paired with one-on-one financial coaching focused on repayment habits, credit behavior, and cash flow awareness. 

The results demonstrate the impact of early, structured support: 

• 54 small business owners participated in the pilot 
• $27,000 deployed through 54 Get Ready loans, with an average loan size of $500 
• 21 entrepreneurs graduated from the program 
• 21 entrepreneurs secured $5,000 lines of credit and 3 transitioned into Ascendus’ standard loan offerings 
• $94,500 in graduated capital deployed through $5,000 loans 
• 150 jobs created or retained, showing how early capital access supports local employment and economic growth 

MetLife Foundation’s support enabled Ascendus to reach entrepreneurs at a pivotal moment and advance a readiness-focused approach to financial mobility.

Readiness as a Catalyst for Broader Impact 

The Get Ready pilot reinforced a core insight: when entrepreneurs receive capital alongside guidance and clear expectations, they are better positioned to build credit, manage debt responsibly, and prepare for future opportunities. 

For many participants, this first step became a gateway to broader access. Graduates moved from entry-level capital into more advanced financial solutions, demonstrating how readiness-based lending can unlock sustainable growth. 

The impact extended beyond individual businesses. Stronger financial behaviors supported household stability, job creation, and healthier local economies, reinforcing the role of early investment in long-term community impact.

Looking Ahead 

The partnership between MetLife Foundation and Ascendus demonstrates the power of early investment and patient capital. By supporting innovation and readiness-focused solutions, MetLife Foundation has helped Ascendus turn insight into action and expand what financial mobility can look like in practice. 

Together, we are building pathways that do more than open doors. They prepare entrepreneurs to walk through them with confidence. 

This Way Up.