The Heart Of Ashley Foundation

MERCY IN MOTION

Who is AshleyAshley danced like no one was watching.This foundation was created to honor Ashley—a young woman we dearly loved.We knew Ashley as a beautiful, passionate young woman who deeply loved Christ. But the best way to truly understand her heart is to hear it in her own words.
On New Year's Day, during a Christian conference in Atlanta, she saw a homeless mother and her children on the cold street. Instead of stopping, she put her head down, hands in her pockets, and walked past.
Later, in tears, she reflected on that moment—not to hide from it, but to challenge herself and others to live differently. What you're about to read comes from something she shared after a moment that broke her."There are people who have needs, not just spiritual needs, but actual physical needs. Everybody knows somebody who is poor in spirit or somebody who just needs a little helping hand every now and then.
There are kids at schools all over the world who can't pay for their lunch every day. There are kids who can't afford to go to school every day. There are kids who just really need someone to notice them and be their friend.
There are people in nursing homes who never get to talk to anybody. There are people in all walks of life, all situations, all over the world who just need to know that somebody thinks they are important and worthwhile.
There are people everywhere who need to see a practical representation of God's love for them.
Who's supposed to care for those people? Who's supposed to meet those needs?
Because if it's me, I'm not doing it very well.
I mean, who has time for that, right?
Can we really call ourselves followers of Christ if we don't take care of the widows and the orphans?
James 1:27 says, 'Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and keep oneself from being polluted by the world.'
Proverbs 21:13 says, 'Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.'
Proverbs 22:2 says, 'Rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the Maker of them all.'
What if you cared more about taking care of people's needs than protecting your reputation, or getting somewhere on time, or getting out of the cold, or whatever?
What if we cared more about people than our insecurity or our stuff?
How powerful could that be?
We all see people every day who need help. Maybe they need a hand with something. Maybe they need a favor. Maybe they need somebody to eat lunch with them. I don't know.
But this week, I have a mission for you.
I want you to find somebody who really needs to see the work of God, and I want you to help them.
It doesn't have to be anything big and fancy. Just look at yourself and what you have available, and try to see how you can use that to help somebody else.
Maybe that means helping a friend understand their math homework. Maybe that means bringing an extra sandwich at lunch. Maybe that means inviting a friend over for dinner or church. Or maybe it's something else.
What could happen if we all did that?
Not just me and whoever is listening to this—but what if we did it, and then other people saw us doing it, and then they did the same thing because they saw us doing it and they thought it was cool?
What if we all took a moment out of our lives to actually look people in the eye and figure out what they truly need?
How many people do you think would want to follow the God that we serve if we actually practiced what we preach?”- AshleyAshley was driven by Psalm 30:5: "Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning."
She knew life brought pain, but she also knew joy came when we stepped into the pain of others and helped carry it. Whether giving her hard earned money to a child in need or inspiring others to genuinely live out James 1:27, she tried to practice what she preached.
Through her writing, speaking, ministry, and life, Ashley quietly planted seeds in many lives.
And she once wrote:"This is what's important in life, what I keep closest to my heart. God, love, and family. Everything else is just filler."-Ashley
"I'll die happy if I've done as much good as I can and helped just one person see God's light a little clearer."- AshleyWhen her life was cut short at 24 in a tragic car accident, the seeds she had planted created a wave.
Her life was a testimony. Her legacy is a movement.The Heart of Ashley Foundation exists to carry that movement forward by equipping young leaders who share her heart of mercy and compassion and to bring practical hope to the hurting.WHO WE AREThe Heart of Ashley Foundation was established to honor Ashley’s legacy of extraordinary compassion and mercy. Inspired by her unwavering love for God and genuine heart for the hurting, we are a Christ-centered organization dedicated to finding, funding, and equipping the next generation of mercy leaders—continuing the movement she began.WHAT WE DOWe identify and equip young leaders—30 and under—who share Ashley’s heart of compassion.
Picture a young leader running a safe house for trafficking survivors, another feeding homeless children, another mentoring at-risk youth, or maybe even someone going to school to dedicate their life to vocational ministry, but they're all spending half their time chasing funding instead of serving.
We go out & find these young leaders who are already making a real difference and partner with them long-term, providing grants, scholarships, mentoring, and connections so they can focus on impact, not fundraising.
We don't just throw money and hope. We walk alongside them as their work grows, because with more support, they could change the world, one life at a time, in the communities they touch every day.
Our mission is simple: multiply Ashley’s legacy by empowering the next generation to transform compassion into meaningful action.WHY WE DO ITWe believe the world needs more people with "The Heart of Ashley"—those who love God, the lost, their families, and the suffering. While we can never replace Ashley, we can multiply her impact by equipping others who share her heart.
We recognize and honor the trust we've been given and remain faithful stewards of all that has been entrusted to us, knowing that every resource, opportunity, and relationship is a gift from God. We don't take them for granted.OUR LOGOOur foundation's logo comes from Ashley's drawing created shortly before her accident. It represents a powerful truth: God gathers what the world discards—the broken pieces, the forgotten souls, the "mismatched" lives—and weaves them into something beautiful and purposeful. Each colorful strand represents someone whose story matters deeply, someone being restored and connected to a greater design. This artwork stands as divine confirmation of our calling: to recognize the inherent value in every person, especially those society has overlooked, and help reveal their place in God's masterpiece.
Psalms 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Heart of Ashley Foundation FAQThe Heart of Ashley Foundation is in its launch phase. We're sharing Ashley's story and our mission because we believe transparency begins from day one. While we don't yet have operational history or grant recipients to share, we're committed to building this foundation on a solid foundation of accountability and impact.
We currently operate under a fiscal sponsorship with The Christian Ministry Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization, which allows us to receive tax-deductible donations while we establish our operations and work toward our own independent 501(c)(3) status. This partnership ensures proper financial oversight and accountability from the start.
We're currently assembling our board, developing our grant selection and monitoring procedures, and identifying our first young leaders to support. As we begin supporting these emerging mercy leaders, we'll update this page with concrete results, financial reports, and recipient stories.
We understand that giving to a new organization requires trust, and we're committed to earning that trust through careful stewardship, regular communication, and measurable impact. Below are the questions we're most frequently asked, along with our current answers and our commitments for the future.Who are the founders/leaders behind this foundation? What's their connection to Ashley?We are Gary & Tiffany Adams. Out of respect for her family's request for privacy, we never reveal Ashley's last name or show any pictures or videos of her, but Ashley was a deeply loved family member who had a huge impact not only on our lives, but on so many other people who knew her.What experience do they have in nonprofit work or the areas you'll be supporting?We have never run a nonprofit before. This is something we have felt called to do for years, even before Ashley passed away. Once she passed, we felt called by God that now is the time, and Ashley's life and legacy was the catalyst. While we're new to nonprofit management, Gary brings decades of experience running multiple businesses and working in sales and marketing. Tiffany has worked in church ministry for decades with kids from preschool all the way through college and currently works with special needs kids. We have both mentored junior high through college youth for many years.How did you choose The Christian Ministry Alliance as your fiscal sponsor?We did extensive research into reputable fiscal sponsors, and although there were many quality options, The Christian Ministry Alliance offered the best balance for our needs and mission alignment.How will you find and identify these young leaders initially?We network and partner with leaders who are already working with the young leaders we're looking for—people like youth and young adult ministry leaders, nonprofit managers and founders, high school and college teachers and administrators, and others in similar roles.What specific criteria will you use to evaluate potential grant recipients?We have a thorough listing of specific criteria on our "Apply Here" page.What's your process for vetting applications and ensuring funds are used properly?We have a small committee that will vet each applicant to ensure they first have the "Heart of Ashley," but we also want to verify that they have already done work serving hurting and vulnerable people. We want to make sure they're not just talking about it but are already doing the hard work. We're looking for people where an extra $5,000 will make a huge impact on the work they're already doing, enabling them to serve more people in better ways.How much funding are you planning to provide per leader, and over what time frame?The committee will decide on a case-by-case basis the specific amounts we give per scholarship or grant based on needs, level of impact, and the total amount we have available at that time. For a general idea, we're looking at an average of $5,000 per recipient to start with. We're also careful to be good stewards of our resources and want to ensure that we can not only do one round of funding but continue giving in the future if recipients continue doing good, impactful work. We don't just give money and walk away—we walk with these young leaders over the long term, listening to them, hearing about their impact, what's going well, and what they need help with. Our long-term goal is to help them make a bigger and bigger impact over time.What's your initial funding goal to get started?At minimum, we are committed to funding about $10,000 a year, even if it comes out of our own pocket or through partnerships with close family and friends. But ideally, we want to make as big an impact as we can. Our faith driven goal for the first year is to raise $250,000, which would be an incredible blessing that would allow us to launch multiple young leaders serving a number of different worthy causes and populations. This aligns with the ultimate goal of The Heart of Ashley Foundation: to have an "army" of young leaders out in the world making a positive impact on those who are hurting and suffering—much bigger than any one person could ever do alone.What percentage will go to administrative costs vs. direct grants?We are just getting started, so right now we're aiming for as close to 100% of all funds going directly into the hands of young leaders and whatever direct support or resources they need. As we grow, we expect some administrative costs, but we're committed to keeping overhead minimal and will provide full transparency about our expense allocation.Can you provide a projected budget showing how donations will be allocated?Our current operational structure is very lean, with minimal overhead costs. We plan to allocate 100% or as close to 100% of all donations directly to grants for young leaders. Any administrative costs are currently being covered personally by the founders to ensure maximum impact from donor contributions.What geographic regions will you serve initially?We are not focused on geography; we're focused on impact. We leave it up to God to bring us the right people, the right causes, and the right geographic locations. Our long-term goal is to have an "army" of Ashleys all across the U.S. as well as throughout the world, but we will let our young leaders guide us on where they feel God is leading them. Who are we to argue with God?Will you focus on specific types of ministry (trafficking, homelessness, youth, etc.) or remain broad?Not really. We are open to how God is leading the young leaders who are brought into our world. If they have a heart for the hurting and vulnerable, we're interested. Our long-term goal is to eventually be serving multiple types of ministries and locations.Are there any restrictions on the types of organizations or ministries you'll support?We are looking for young leaders who are focused on making an impact but who would be able to make an even bigger impact with small amounts of extra money, connections, mentoring, and support. So if they already have backing from deep pockets, they're probably not our people. Other than that, if they are doing Christ-centered mercy work, we at least want to get to know them better.How will you monitor and measure the impact of your grants?We don't just throw money out and hope. We partner with each young leader for the long term. We try to keep in touch at least quarterly to get "impact updates" on what is working, what they're struggling with, what's next, and how we can help. As long as they keep doing impactful work, we want to keep partnering and advocating for them, sharing their stories of impact with our team of followers and supporters.
What reporting will you require from grant recipients?
We require regular communication and impact reporting from all grant recipients. As mentioned in our monitoring process, we maintain at least quarterly contact with each young leader to receive detailed updates on their work's progress, challenges they're facing, measurable outcomes, and how their funding is being used. This ensures accountability while maintaining the supportive, long-term partnership relationship that's central to our mission.How often will you communicate results back to donors?We will keep donors updated at least monthly via our newsletter and daily/weekly via our social media platforms.What happens if a supported leader's work doesn't succeed as planned?We don't expect everything to work out perfectly, and we partner with them long term. So if initial plans don't work out perfectly but their heart is still to serve and they work with us on a plan to learn, improve, and move forward, we're on their team and will do what we can to help them with that cause.When do you expect to award your first grants?Our goal is to have our first scholarships or grants awarded by the end of October 2025.What's your timeline for transitioning to independent 501(c)(3) status?We would like to have this complete by the middle of 2026 or earlier. IRS approval can sometimes take up to 12 months.Do you have a conflict‑of‑interest policy?Yes. Every board member signs a simple, plain‑English statement that says: “If it benefits me or my direct family personally or financially, I step out of the vote. Minutes record those recusals. We borrowed the template directly from Christian Ministry Alliance’s best‑practice library.How will you measure success?We track three things we can all celebrate:People helped — the faces and stories, not just numbers.Milestones hit — Was the safe‑house opened? Did the after‑school program hit 50 kids? Etc.Leader growth — Is the young leader closer to full funding, better equipped, and still on fire for Christ and the suffering?What happens if a project stalls or pivots?We don’t expect everything to go perfectly. When something stalls or gets off track we connect to make sure we learn, improve, and have a plan to make a better impact going forward. We are here to partner long term. As long as their heart and commitment is to serve the hurting, lost or vulnerable, and they are committed to doing it in a way that honors Christ, we are on their team and will continue to support and/or advocate for them and their cause.Will you build a reserve or endowment?Years 1‑2: every penny goes out as fast as we can steward it. Year 3: we plan to bank three months of operating costs so grant cycles don’t stall when giving ebbs. Long‑term, if God sends overflow, we’ll open a simple endowment that spins off perpetual grant dollars.I’d like to do more than write a check. Any mentoring slots?Yes! We’re compiling a “Mercy Mentor Rolodex.” If you’ve got skills—in marketing, accounting, trauma care, legal or just faithful prayer—email us or send us a message on social media @theheartofashleyStill have questions?
We're here to help! Email us directly at [email protected] or connect with us on social media @theheartofashley

Contact

Heart Of Ashley Foundation

9620 Las Vegas Blvd. Suite E4#1297
Las Vegas, NV, 89123702-608-7498
[email protected]

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Heart of Ashley Foundation
"What if we found just one person this week to help?" - Ashley
Do You Have the Heart of Ashley?
We're looking for young leaders who aren't just moved to tears by suffering—but moved to action. People who live out kindness not just as something they do, but as who they are.If your heart breaks for the lost, suffering, and vulnerable, and you're already doing something about it, we want to hear from you.Who We're Looking ForSomeone with Ashley's heart:Christ-centered: Your heart first belongs to Christ, and you want to show His face to others through kindness, love, and serviceAction-oriented: You see pain and suffering, and it compels you to get up and do something, and inspire others to do the sameHope-filled: You know life brings pain, but you also know joy comes when we step into others' pain and help carry itWe're not looking for perfection. We're looking for those who believe the smallest acts of kindness make a huge difference.Eligibility RequirementsAge30 years old or youngerCurrent ServiceMust demonstrate a consistent pattern of working with the lost, suffering, or vulnerable within the last 3 yearsCommitted to continue serving the lost, suffering, or vulnerable as a significant part of your life calling , whether full-time, part-time, or through service-focused careersPath ForwardYou must be pursuing one of these paths:Education PathPursuing a 4-year or graduate degree to enter full-time ministry serving the vulnerable, lost or suffering.Mission PathCommitting to full-time mission work serving the lost, suffering, or vulnerableNonprofit PathStarting your own nonprofit organization serving those in needCareer PathWorking full-time for an organization serving the vulnerable, lost or suffering where you are responsible for raising your own supportOther CallingFeel God has called you to serve in a way not listed? We want to hear about it!Faithful StewardshipCommitted to the highest integrity and stewardship of all that God gives you, whether it be money, relationships, or any other resource.What We ProvideFinancial SupportGrants for new ventures, ministries, or missionsScholarships for education or trainingFunds used directly for tuition or ministry funding to increase your impactLong-term PartnershipMentorship from experienced leaders of faith and impactTraining in leadership, operations, and serviceCommunity with like-minded change-makersConnections to expand your network and resourcesWe don't just give money and hope. We walk alongside you as your work grows, providing ongoing support as long as you're committed to serving those in need.Application ProcessIf your heart resonates with Ashley's mission and you're ready to multiply her legacy of mercy, we want to hear your story.How to ApplyAnswer these 4 questions in your preferred format:Past Service: How have you served the lost, suffering, or vulnerable within the past 3 years?Future Vision: How do you plan to serve them over the next 3 years?Resource Needs: What additional resources would help you increase your impact? (funding, mentorship, training, connections, etc.-be specific)Immediate Impact: How would additional funding help you increase the impact you're already making?Format Options:Written: 2,000 words or less (12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, include name and contact info)Video/Audio: 15 minutes or less (clear audio, state name at beginning, common file formats)How to SubmitEmail your application to: [email protected]
Subject Line: Heart of Ashley Foundation Application - [Your Name]In your email, please include:
Your name, mailing address and best contact phone number,
Which format you're using (written/video/audio), a brief introduction (1-2 sentences about yourself)Attach your written essay in PDF format OR include a link to your video/audio fileFor video/audio files:Upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, or YouTube (unlisted) and share the link
Or attach directly if file size permitsWhat Happens After You Submit:You'll receive a confirmation email that we have received your submission within 48 hoursSelection Process & TimelineAward amounts determined by our selection committee based on individual need and potential impact.At least one award per year with selection dates announced in advance.Additional selections made throughout the year as funds and resources allow.What Happens NextOur selection committee will review your application with care and prayerAll applicants will be notified via email whether selected or not because we deeply value the time and heart you put into sharing your story.If not selected this time, please don't be discouraged! We encourage you to consider reapplying for future selections as your work continues to grow.Your CommitmentQuarterly impact reports via phone, email, or onlineAllow us to update donors and supporters on your progressUse funds directly for tuition or ministry impactHave additional questions?Reach out to us at [email protected]We're here to help guide you through the application process.