Align
Ascend
Achieve
Building Financial Capability. Creating Generational Impact.
Ascension Circle is a faith-based nonprofit delivering structured financial education to youth, student-athletes, low-income families, and underserved communities — equipping them with the knowledge and tools to reduce debt risk, build savings, and strengthen economic mobility.
Sponsor a Youth Participant

The Financial Knowledge Gap Is Real
Millions of Americans — especially youth and low-income families — lack access to structured financial education. The result: chronic debt, low savings rates, and limited economic mobility. Ascension Circle exists to close that gap through evidence-based curriculum, structured programming, and measurable outcomes.
57% of U.S. adults cannot pass a basic financial literacy test
Source: FINRA
Nearly 40% of Americans cannot cover a $400 emergency expense
Source: Federal Reserve
Financial education improves credit scores in adulthood
Source: Urban Institute
Youth financial literacy programs increase savings behavior by ~20%
Source: CFPB
Meet the Founder
Executive Director Robert Brickey
From the Court to the Community
Robert Brickey's journey is one of transformation, discipline, and purpose. A former elite athlete who competed at the highest levels, Robert discovered that the same discipline required to master sport was the key to mastering the financial systems that shape our lives.
After years of navigating the complexities of personal finance, investing, and wealth-building, Robert realized a powerful truth: the system has rules, and those who learn them gain the power to build within it. He founded Ascension Circle to ensure that young people, families, and underserved communities would never have to figure it out alone.
Former Elite Athlete
Discipline forged through competition at the highest level
Community Leader
Trusted voice in Charlotte's neighborhoods and schools
Financial Educator
Teaching system mastery through structured curriculum
Youth Development Advocate
Championing the next generation's path to financial freedom
About Us
Who We Are
Ascension Circle is a structured financial education organization operating as a faith-based nonprofit under 508(c)(1)(A) status. We serve youth, student-athletes, historically under-resourced communities, and community organizations through evidence-based curriculum designed to close the financial knowledge gap and build lasting economic capability.
Legal Structure
Faith-based nonprofit organization operating under 508(c)(1)(A) status. Donations support tax-exempt educational programming.
Governance & Accountability
Guided by an advisory board of educators, financial professionals, and community leaders. Outcome tracking and reporting built into every program.
Who We Serve
Youth ages 8–18, student-athletes,Historically under-resourced communities, schools, churches, and community organizations across underserved communities.
Our Programs
Structured Financial Capability Programs
Every Ascension Circle program is a structured learning environment built around measurable outcomes — not just awareness. Our curriculum is interactive, project-based, and age-differentiated, with pre/post assessments to track participant growth.
Escaping the Financial Matrix
6-week flagship program (60–90 min sessions). Available live, virtual, or hybrid. Serves youth ages 8–18 and adult community cohorts.
Family Financial Foundations
Workshops for low-income families covering budgeting, credit repair, savings strategies, and debt reduction — delivered through churches and community centers.
Student-Athlete Financial Readiness
Specialized curriculum for student-athletes combining financial literacy with leadership development, career planning, and wealth-building fundamentals.
Flagship Program
A Structured 6-Week Financial Capability Program
Escaping the Financial Matrix is Ascension Circle's flagship curriculum — a structured, 6-week financial capability program delivered in 60–75 minute sessions. Available live, virtual, or hybrid. Designed for youth ages 8–18 and adult community cohorts.
Week 1: Understanding Money & the Financial System
How money works, the rules of the financial system, and why financial knowledge is power.
Week 2: Budgeting & Cash Flow Management
Building a personal budget, tracking income and expenses, and creating a spending plan.
Week 3: Credit, Debt & the Scoring System
How credit scores work, types of debt, and strategies to build and protect credit.
Week 4: Saving, Emergency Funds & Banking
Savings strategies, emergency fund targets, banking tools, and compound interest basics.
Week 5: Investing & Wealth-Building Fundamentals
Introduction to investing, asset types, and the principles of long-term wealth creation.
Week 6: Building Your Financial Roadmap
Participants create a personalized 3-step wealth plan and present their financial roadmap as a capstone deliverable.
Participant Deliverables
Written personal budget
Credit improvement action plan
Savings strategy with 90-day goal
3-Step personal wealth roadmap
All participants complete pre/post assessments. Program outcomes are tracked and reported per cohort.
Outcomes
What Participants Achieve
Ascension Circle programs are built around documented behavioral outcomes, not just attendance. Every participant exits with tangible skills, tools, and a personalized financial plan.
Create a Written Personal Budget
Participants build and document a real personal or household budget during the program.
Understand Credit Scoring Factors
Participants can identify the 5 key factors that determine their credit score and how to improve each.
Develop a Savings Strategy
Each participant leaves with a documented savings plan including a 90-day emergency fund goal.
Identify Debt Reduction Steps
Participants create a prioritized debt reduction action plan using proven payoff strategies.
Increase Financial Confidence
Pre/post surveys consistently show measurable increases in financial self-efficacy and decision-making confidence.
Build a 3-Step Wealth Plan
Every participant completes a personalized 3-step wealth-building roadmap as their capstone deliverable.
Demonstrate Improved Financial Decision-Making
Post-program assessments measure knowledge gain and behavioral change against baseline scores.
Ages 8–18
Age-Differentiated Financial Education
Our youth curriculum is structured across three developmental levels — each with clear learning objectives, interactive methodology, and outcome tracking through pre/post surveys. Participants don't just learn about money — they build real financial skills.
Level 1 — Ages 8–11
Foundations of money, needs vs. wants, saving habits, and goal-setting. Project-based activities and interactive games build early financial confidence.
Level 2 — Ages 12–15
Budgeting basics, introduction to credit, banking systems, and entrepreneurship. Discussion-based learning with real-world scenarios and group projects.
Level 3 — Ages 16–18
Credit scoring, debt management, investing fundamentals, and 3-step wealth planning. Participants complete a personal financial roadmap as a capstone deliverable.
All levels include pre/post assessments to measure knowledge gain and behavioral change.
Athletics + Education
Athletic Programs + Financial Education
At Ascension Circle, we believe the court is a classroom — and every drill is a lesson in discipline, strategy, and long-term thinking. Our athletic programs seamlessly integrate basketball training with financial literacy, leadership development, and mindfulness practices.
Financial Literacy Modules
Athletes learn budgeting, investing basics, and money management alongside their physical training — because mastering the financial game is just as critical as mastering the court.
Leadership Development
Through team exercises and mentorship sessions, young athletes develop communication skills, accountability, and the confidence to lead both on and off the court.
Meditation & Alignment
Mindfulness practices help athletes center themselves — building the mental clarity and emotional discipline required to make wise decisions in every arena of life.
Discipline & Long-Term Strategy
Athletes learn that the habits forged in training — consistency, patience, preparation — are the same habits that build financial freedom and generational wealth.
Teach athletes how to master both the physical and the financial systems — because true champions build legacies beyond the game.
Community Impact
Measurable Community Impact
Ascension Circle programs are designed to produce documented, trackable outcomes — not just participation. Every cohort is measured against defined behavioral benchmarks, and results are reported to partners, donors, and stakeholders.
Impact Snapshot
1500+
Youth Served
50+
Workshops Delivered
40+
Schools & Churches Partnered
85%
Program Completion Rate
90%
Reported Confidence Increase
* Figures represent projected annual goals. Actuals tracked and reported per cohort.
Partners
Strategic Alliances for Lasting Impact
Ascension Circle is built on the power of partnership. We collaborate with schools, churches, community organizations, and corporate sponsors to deliver measurable outcomes, curriculum integrity, and leadership development at scale. When you partner with us, you invest in a structured approach to community transformation.
Our partnerships are designed around accountability, clear objectives, and shared mission. Every collaboration is structured to deliver measurable impact — from youth reached and workshops completed to long-term outcomes in financial literacy and leadership development.
What Partners Receive
  • Curriculum integrity — research-informed, field-tested content
  • Measurable outcomes — impact reporting and program evaluation
  • Leadership development — capacity building for staff and volunteers
  • Brand alignment — association with a trusted, mission-driven organization
Ready to Partner?
Join a growing network of organizations committed to financial empowerment and community impact.
Get Involved
Your Involvement Creates Measurable Change
Ascension Circle grows through strategic partnerships and community action. Whether you represent a school, corporation, church, or simply want to contribute — there is a meaningful, high-impact role for you. We align with CSR initiatives, economic mobility goals, and leadership development priorities.
Bring Financial Education to Your School
Partner with us to integrate our curriculum into your school or after-school program. We handle facilitation, materials, and outcome reporting.
Launch a 6-Week Cohort in Your Community
Host a full Escaping the Financial Matrix cohort at your church, community center, or organization. Scalable and turnkey.
Corporate CSR Partnership
Align your company's social responsibility goals with measurable economic mobility outcomes. Sponsorship tiers available with full impact reporting.
Volunteer as a Facilitator or Mentor
Bring your financial expertise to the next generation. We train and support all volunteer facilitators with curriculum and resources.
Donate
Invest in Knowledge. Unlock Generational Impact.
Every dollar you give to Ascension Circle funds structured financial education for youth and families who need it most. We practice full financial stewardship — tracking outcomes, reporting results, and ensuring your investment creates documented, measurable change.
$25
Youth Workbook
Provides one participant with a full program workbook and financial planning materials.
$100
Workshop Seat
Funds one youth participant through a complete workshop session, including facilitation and materials.
$500
Community Session
Sponsors a full community workshop session — covering facilitator, venue support, and materials for up to 20 participants.
$2,500
Full 6-Week Cohort
Funds an entire Escaping the Financial Matrix cohort — 6 weeks of structured financial education for a full group of participants.
Donations fund program materials, trained facilitators, and outcome reporting. Ascension Circle operates under 508(c)(1)(A) status. Please consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility.
Contact
Connect With Ascension Circle
Whether you're looking to book a session, explore a partnership, or simply learn more about our mission — we'd love to hear from you. Reach out using any of the channels below, and a member of our team will respond promptly.
Get in Touch
General Inquiry
Questions about our programs, mission, or organization? Send us a message and we'll connect you with the right team member.
Booking Request
Interested in booking Robert Brickey for a speaking engagement, workshop, or live session? Let us know your preferred date and format.
Email
light@ascensioncircle.org
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