"Strong communities are built when organizations invest in one another."
At QUED-UP, we often talk about the importance of creating opportunities for young people through technology, creativity, and education. While our team works tirelessly to deliver impactful programs, we know that meaningful community work is never accomplished alone. Behind every successful nonprofit are partners who believe in the mission and are willing to invest in its future.
For QUED-UP, one of those partners has been Springboard Foundation.
As we enter our third year as a Springboard-funded organization, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for the confidence, encouragement, and support they have shown us. We are also excited to attend this year's Springboard Annual Dinner, where we can celebrate the incredible work being done across Chicago and connect with other organizations dedicated to strengthening our communities.Type your paragraph here
Investing in Organizations That Need It Most
Since 1998, Springboard has been committed to identifying and supporting grassroots nonprofit organizations serving Chicago's Black and Brown communities—especially those providing after-school and supplemental educational opportunities for youth.
What makes Springboard unique is that they don't simply write a check and walk away.
Their philosophy is centered on helping organizations build a strong foundation for long-term success. Through financial support, mentorship, site visits, networking, and ongoing relationships, they help nonprofits develop the capacity needed to become sustainable and expand their impact.
This approach recognizes something we deeply believe at QUED-UP:
Real community change happens through relationships, not transactions.
More Than Funding
When QUED-UP was selected as a Springboard partner, we gained much more than financial assistance.
We became part of a network of nonprofit leaders, community advocates, and supporters who genuinely care about seeing organizations succeed.
Springboard members take the time to visit the organizations they support, learn about their programs firsthand, ask thoughtful questions, and understand the communities they serve. That personal investment demonstrates that they believe in the people behind the mission as much as the mission itself.
For a growing nonprofit like QUED-UP, that encouragement matters.
Knowing that experienced leaders recognize the value of our work motivates us to continue expanding access to technology education, creative learning, and workforce development opportunities for young people throughout Chicago.
Helping QUED-UP Grow
The support we've received through Springboard has helped us continue expanding programs that introduce youth to:
-Virtual Reality (VR)
-Artificial Intelligence (AI)
-Digital Animation
-Game Development
-STEAM Education
-Digital Literacy
-Career Exploration
-Technology Workforce Pathways
Over the past several years, QUED-UP has continued to grow its reach by providing technology workshops, community events, school partnerships, and computer donations that help bridge the digital divide.
We've had the opportunity to place hundreds of computers into the hands of students and families, introduce young people to emerging technologies, and partner with schools and organizations across Chicago to create meaningful learning experiences.
Support from organizations like Springboard has allowed us to continue building toward that vision.
Building Stronger Communities Together
One of the things we admire most about Springboard is its commitment to helping organizations become self-sustaining.
Rather than creating long-term dependence, Springboard invests in helping nonprofits develop the strength, leadership, and capacity needed to continue thriving long after the funding period ends.
That philosophy aligns closely with QUED-UP's own mission.
Whether we're teaching animation, introducing students to virtual reality, helping someone build technology skills, or donating computers to families in need, our goal is always to empower people with tools they can continue using long into the future.
Empowerment—not dependency—is how communities grow.
Looking Forward to the Future
As we continue our third year with Springboard, we remain excited about what's ahead.
We're looking forward to attending the upcoming Springboard Annual Dinner, celebrating the impact being made across Chicago, reconnecting with fellow nonprofit leaders, and thanking the incredible individuals who make this work possible.
Events like the Annual Dinner are a reminder that when organizations come together with a shared purpose, remarkable things happen.
Thank You, Springboard
To everyone at Springboard:
Thank you for believing in organizations like QUED-UP.Thank you for investing in grassroots nonprofits that are working every day to create opportunities where they're needed most.
Thank you for recognizing the importance of education, technology, and community-based programming.
Most importantly, thank you for helping organizations serving Chicago's Black and Brown communities build stronger futures for the next generation.
We are honored to be part of the Springboard family and look forward to continuing this journey together.
Here's to another year of partnership, collaboration, and creating opportunities that change lives.
Partner With QUED-UP
QUED-UP partners with schools, nonprofits, community organizations, and businesses to deliver engaging technology programs that prepare youth for the future.
From Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence to Digital Animation and STEAM education, we help communities inspire the next generation of creators, innovators, and leaders.
Interested in partnering with us? We'd love to start the conversation.