NextUp is an out-of-school time (OST) intermediary and nonprofit organization expanding access to quality afterschool and summer programs for Richmond youth. NextUp convenes a network of OST partners building Richmond’s expanded learning system of youth development programs, resources, services, and opportunities.
NextUp works with OST partners, including the City of Richmond, Richmond Public Schools, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, and the YMCA of Greater Richmond to coordinate Middle School Alliance afterschool programs in Richmond Public Middle Schools. We also help manage Positive Youth Development funds that place out-of-school time programs and events across the city where they’re needed most.
Middle School Alliance and Positive Youth Development programs come at no-cost to Richmond youth and families. This is made possible by funding partners like the City of Richmond, individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
As an OST intermediary, NextUp builds program provider capacity, makes program data accessible, and promotes effective OST policies and practices.
NextUp increases capacity for out-of-school time (OST) programs and organizations by funding their programs, offering free professional development, and coordinating program transportation, security, and nutrition.
Our team monitors youth registration, enrollment, and participation trends. We also analyze program outcomes, measure impact, and research national OST best practices to enhance efficiency of out-of-school time offerings.
We serve as an OST liaison, convening and mobilizing a network of youth, community and cross-sector partners to foster safer environments for young people to grow, learn, and thrive.
All Richmond youth will discover their talents and build positive relationships and skills that help them thrive in school and life.
To provide Richmond youth a strong system of accessible and equitable out-of-school time (OST) and expanded-learning resources.
All decision-making is through the lens of, “What is best and equitable for youth?”
We collect, analyze and use accurate data to drive decisions.
We have a responsibility to youth, funders and partners to have a positive impact on the future of RVA youth.
Thoughtful analysis and planning must be followed by action. We cannot produce results without acting.
We work collaboratively and respectfully with a wide network of partners. It is only by working together that we can affect real, positive change.
We have an unwavering commitment to quality in every aspect of our work.
NextUp was formed in 2013 with the name Middle School Renaissance 2020 when a group of community and business leaders collaborated with Richmond Public Schools to answer a bold question: What would it take to put more RPS teens on a path to success? The group devised a concept of an out-of-school time system based on research and best practices to improve lagging middle school and high school outcomes. They established NextUp to build and support a Richmond out-of-school time system focused on quality enrichment for youth, specifically middle school youth.
When NextUp first launched in 2013, we provided direct out-of-school time services to 130 youth in 13 programs at one middle school. As of June 2024, NextUp’s network of providers served a record number of 1,564 youth across Richmond through 157 Middle School Alliance and Positive Youth Development programs.
Our network replaced a patchwork of individual OST programs with a cohesive team of public agencies, service providers, businesses, funders, and schools. The NextUp Network engages youth in high-quality learning opportunities, academic support, and enrichments through afterschool, summer, weekend, and other initiatives. Our work emphasizes improving access for underserved youth, using resources efficiently, improving quality, coordinating efforts with schools, and delivering results.
NextUp RVA is a nonprofit organization helping youth discover their talents and build positive relationships. It does this by managing a strong system of accessible out-of-school time programs delivered in schools and across the city. When youth participate in quality out-of-school time programs, they learn new skills, find out what they are good at, gain confidence and are engaged learners.
© Copyright 2023, NextUp RVA.
