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UnboxEd is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves disadvantaged students by providing interactive afterschool programming. Our mission is to inspire independent learners, community builders, creators and entrepreneurs. All through play.

We embed academic content into narrative role-playing games (RPGs) and board games, known as game based learning . Our classes include Storytelling, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Magic), EntrepreNewbies and Living History.

This is our attempt at trying new ways to reach an under-resourced population in hopes of offering them skills that they can reinvest in their communities. It has been one of the greatest successes of our educational careers to see a student change their dream job from “famous” to “own a restaurant”.

We are also on the cusp of publishing our own STEM and EntrepreNewbies games to spread these much-needed skills to the greater academic community.

And humbly, we are asking you to help us keep the lights on.

Read on to catch up with where we've been and where we're heading. If you aren't able to give at this time, please think of us next time.

Updates and Student Success Stories

We caved and started an Instagram account. We also have an evolving Photo Gallery of the work we do in the classroom (all student media has been approved by parents in writing).

Entreprenewbies

This is our flagship program. We guide students through the startup, scaling and IPO of their own fantasy business. Check out the print ads that we've created with the help of AI image generation.

"We changed the factory so the break room can sense when it's cold outside and will automatically make hot chocolate."

"Being in meetings all day is exhausting." - Izaya, 3rd grade CEO

Partnerships

We have just begun a partnership with the YMCA and The Boys & Girls Club of America to further develop our game-based learning research and curriculum.

Impact Data

Look! Lines go up:

And numbers go up:

It's the Little Things

What do we need to help kids with what they need? It's actually the simple things that can be the most effective:

A simple timer ($5) can offer a student agency and an opportunity to demonstrate maturity when asking them to take a five minute break to draw and regroup.

An old classic, Etch-a-Sketches ($10) have been a huge tactile hit when students are designing and blueprinting factories, cars, computer chips and buildings:

Art books ($10) turn our break station into a chance to channel energy into imagination:

Molding clay ($15) functions as a stress reliever in the break station as well as to create prototypes of entreprenurial technology:

A salvaged science set from the 80s ($15) has been such a fun, tactile way to discuss circuitry and binary programming:

This dinky little laminator ($20) has created so many student-designed cards, prototypes, and roll-and-write games that have survived markers, boogers, cheeto dust, bending, you name it. Constitution +3:

A paper cutter ($25) saves so much time when making prototypes of the games we design with students, who get to hold their creations in their hands and play their own games.

We used to have a zero technology policy. That quickly went out the window when, while working on a rocket-boosted car blueprint, a student asked, "Hey, can we research how a rocket really works?" Now we use refurbished tablets ($75) for just such an occassion.

A Bigger Ask

We do have larger ambitions for community outreach that will require a more significant investment.

As mentioned, we are hoping to begin publishing our own content and games next year, including Financial Literacy classes for parents. That is a big undertaking that will require a significant capital investment.

We are still moving toward our GroBlox initiative to revitalize vacant lots within our communities to increase safe outdoor spaces by transitioning them into recreational areas, with the help of our students' families and members of the community.

We also want to start hosting annual Pinewood Derbies for kids to showcase some of these STEM, design and marketing skills that they've been learning.

How Else Will Your Generosity Directly Support Our Students and Communities?

Free summer programming to low-income communities in need of quality summer childcare
Recruiting community leaders and small business owners to speak to classes
Dungeons & Dragons Destinations: hosting themed learning experiences in museums and creative centers
Training staff and volunteers
Professional development training for teachers interested in game-based learning
Publishing curriculum templates for parents and educators to run their own guided campaigns
Insurance, marketing and legal fees
Background checks for all volunteers

Boring Admin & Legal

As a 501(c)3, all donations are tax-deductible (receipts are automatically sent). Use the Employer Gift Matching search box at checkout to initiate your company's Donation Matching program, if available. Since we are a new organization, you may need to register UnboxEd using this information.

We thank you for any support you're able to offer. If you aren't able to give at this time, please think of us next time, or simply share this page and our mission with anyone who might be interested.

Help UnboxEd create a place of Curiosity, Play and Belonging

"I wish there'd been a program like this when I was a kid." - Everyone

Team Members