WHO WE ARE

Creating Safe Spaces. Inspiring Bigger Dreams.

What started as one child wanting to help other kids has grown into a movement impacting children and families throughout Texas.

Nate’s Next Kid Up is a youth-led nonprofit organization founded by Nate Gonzalez with a mission to support children in foster care and families within the community through safe experiences, essential resources, mentorship, education, sports, arts, and life-changing opportunities.

At the heart of our organization is one simple belief:

Every child deserves to feel seen, supported, safe, and inspired to Dream Big.

From community drives and educational programs to unforgettable Foster Road Trips and holiday initiatives, our goal is to help create hope, confidence, and core memories for the children we serve.

Today, Nate’s Next Kid Up continues to grow through the support of incredible community partners, volunteers, sponsors, and families who believe in making a difference together

CREATING MORE THAN PROGRAMS

At Nate’s Next Kid Up, we believe impact is not only measured by numbers — but by the smiles, confidence, hope, and core memories created along the way.

From a child attending their first MLB game, to receiving their very first fishing rod, Halloween costume, backpack, toy, or comic book, our mission is centered around making children feel seen, supported, and inspired.

Every event, every drive, and every opportunity is created with one goal in mind:

Helping children Dream Big regardless of their circumstances.

OUR VALUES

Compassion

We lead with kindness, empathy, and heart in everything we do.

Hope

We strive to inspire children to believe in themselves and Dream Big regardless of their circumstances.

Community

We believe real change happens when communities come together to support one another.

Opportunity

Every child deserves access to experiences, mentorship, creativity, sports, and educational opportunities.

Safe Spaces

We are committed to creating environments where children feel welcomed, valued, safe, and supported.

Leadership

We encourage youth leadership, confidence, teamwork, integrity, and positive growth.

OUR MISSION

Nate’s Next Kid up is committed to serving kids in foster care and within the community. Our Focus is to provide new and valuable resources in Sports, Education, Arts, Science, and a variety of Camps. Let’s be the change to help achieve their greatest potential in life through teamwork, leadership skills, integrity, social interaction and expanding their knowledge in arts.

OUR IMPACT FOR 2025

Through the support of our community, Nate’s Next Kid Up has been able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of children and families throughout Texas.

700+ foster youth served through the Foster Road Trip Program to Astros, Rangers, NASA
10,000 toys distributed through the Dream Big Christmas Drive to the children in foster care with DFPS
Over 1,000 children impacted during the Dream Big Community Giveaway at local Title 1 schools through toy distributions and special community events
1,000+ Easter baskets provided to children and families
500+ back-to-school supply kits distributed annually to students and foster youth
Provided 50+ free fishing rods to children during the Hooks of Hope Fishing Tournament to help create positive outdoor experiences and core memories
Distributed over 100 Halloween costumes and candy bags to children in foster care during seasonal community outreach efforts
Educational, leadership, sports, arts, science, and mentorship opportunities created through year-round programming
Opened the Dream Big Distribution Center to support foster youth, emergency needs, and community initiatives
Supported the Rainbow Room through the Department of Family and Protective Services with essential items and resources for children entering foster care
Expanded literacy and creative outreach efforts through the creation of Nate’s Next Kid Up comic books and activity books designed to inspire children to Dream Big
Continued building safe spaces and experiences where children feel supported, included, encouraged, and valued

Nate's Dream

In 2020, Nate had a dream/wish to donate his Christmas gifts to the

kids in his community that were in foster care. He wanted them to have a blessed Christmas. Nate mentioned that he wanted the kids to receive sports equipment too so they can learn a new sport to stay active and healthy. Our hearts were touched to hear his wish; therefore, we reached out and partnered with CASA of the Coastal Bend to host a Toy & Sports Equipment Christmas Toy Drive. Contributions were collected Toys, Sports Equipment and Monetary donations for the kids at

CASA of the Coastal Bend.

The success we had in 2020 was amazing and he wanted to continue to BE THE CHANGE and that is how NATE'S NEXT KID UP was created.