We often reflect on the partners who support our work, and we mean it when we say we have the greatest team in town. The Springboard Foundation is one of those partners, deeply woven into our history and instrumental in shaping who we are and the impact we have today.
From our earliest days as a grassroots afterschool program, Springboard believed in the power of sport, play, and supplemental education to create healthier, more connected learning environments for Chicago’s young people. Their early investment and hands-on partnership helped lay the foundation for Urban Initiatives’ growth and long-term impact.
Seeding Grassroots Impact Across Chicago
Since its founding in 1998, The Springboard Foundation has focused on supporting afterschool and supplemental education programs that otherwise would have difficulty accessing early funding. Springboard believes afterschool programs are effective venues for improving nutrition, nutrition education, and physical activity, and that community-based nonprofits are uniquely positioned to meet these needs where they are greatest.
Springboard’s approach has always gone beyond financial support. Members conduct site visits to meet nonprofit leaders and see programs in action, maintain ongoing relationships throughout the year, and marshal all of the resources at their disposal, including time, treasure, knowledge, and network, to help organizations grow into sustainable institutions. Their goal is clear. With Springboard’s assistance, organizations build the capacity to become stable and self-sustaining, at which point Springboard moves on to support the next emerging organization using the same thoughtful philosophy.
This model provides donors confidence that their investments are being put to work where they are most needed, while creating lasting impact across Chicago’s nonprofit ecosystem.
Urban Initiatives’ First Believer
Urban Initiatives was fortunate to receive our first-ever foundation grant from The Springboard Foundation. At the time, we were a young organization serving elementary school students through before- and after-school soccer programs in communities where access to physical education, recess, and structured afterschool programming had been dramatically reduced.
Springboard’s early support served as both a catalyst and a vote of confidence. Their funding helped fuel early expansion into additional schools, while their capacity-building support strengthened our leadership, governance, and fundraising practices. Springboard was not just a funder, but a true partner in helping Urban Initiatives grow responsibly and sustainably.
Over time, this partnership deepened beyond funding alone.
“Springboard members became some of my earliest trusted advisors, and many are still my mentors today. I feel incredibly lucky to have built lasting friendships and ongoing supporters of Urban Initiatives through their belief in our work.”
– Jim Dower, CEO, Urban Initiatives
Members of Springboard’s board later became members of ours. Urban Initiatives was honored with the Springboard Award and welcomed into their broader community through events, site visits, and ongoing engagement. In many ways, Springboard became part of the fabric of Urban Initiatives, helping shape not only our growth, but our values and approach to partnership.
A Shared Commitment to Impact and Fun
Springboard’s values have always closely mirrored those of Urban Initiatives. A commitment to impact is paired with an understanding that joy, play, and connection are essential to learning and personal growth. Springboard recognizes that strong outcomes are built through relationships and consistency, and that afterschool spaces are powerful environments where young people can develop healthy habits, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
“Springboard has always shared Urban Initiatives’ belief that impact and joy go hand in hand. They understand that play, connection, and consistency are essential to how young people learn, grow, and build a sense of belonging. Springboard shows up as true partners, deeply engaged and committed to helping organizations succeed on their own terms. That kind of trust and collaboration is what makes real, lasting impact possible.”
– Julie Chelovich Perconte, COO, Urban Initiatives
That leadership continues today through Executive Director Sejal, a respected thought leader in Chicago philanthropy. Sejal consistently pushes the field forward by reimagining how grantmakers show up for their grantees, seeking input from nonprofit leaders, and creating meaningful ways for Springboard members to engage in both organizational learning and individualized support.
Remembering Doug Mabie
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Doug Mabie, Springboard’s founder. Doug was a very special leader with a powerful vision. He had a rare ability to see potential, invest early, and believe deeply in the capacity of nonprofit leaders and organizations to drive meaningful change.
Doug’s legacy lives on through the many organizations Springboard has helped seed across Chicago, including Urban Initiatives. His belief in people, possibility, and long-term impact continues to ripple through the communities those organizations serve.
Forever Part of Our History
Springboard’s support helped Urban Initiatives grow from a small afterschool program serving just over 100 students into a citywide organization that continues to evolve and serve Chicago’s youth through sport and play.
While Springboard’s model is designed to step back once organizations become stable, their impact never truly leaves. They are part of our foundation and part of our story.
We are forever grateful for The Springboard Foundation, for their belief in our work, for their partnership, and for the role they played in shaping Urban Initiatives into what it is today. We celebrate the remarkable work they continue to do, seeding and sustaining nonprofit impact across Chicago.
