Never Quit Dreaming

What Never Quit Dreaming does

Never Quit Dreaming (NQD) is a Hawaii-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 and headquartered in Mililani, Hawaii, operating as the first autism center in the state. The organization delivers adaptive sports programs, special events, and creative arts opportunities for special needs children and young adults in Hawaii and their families, addressing a recognized gap in inclusive recreational resources. Its sports portfolio includes Firebirds Baseball, Tsunamis Basketball, Golf, Judo, AYSO Soccer (delivered with AYSO), Wallabies Volleyball, DJ School, and seasonal offerings such as Summer Tennis and Rock Climbing, alongside special events including sensory-sensitive private screenings at Consolidated Theatres, excursions at Kualoa Ranch and Bishop Museum, Amazing Comic Con experiences, Jedi Training, and theatrical productions such as How to Train Your Dragon and Moana Live.

A separate entrepreneurial program, Project Kapa, enables special needs young adults to design artwork printed on apparel, mugs, and bags and sold through three artist-specific e-commerce storefronts (Art of Joy, Shway Shway, Paikea Creations), with 100% of merchandise revenue returned directly to the participating artists. NQD's revenue model is primarily donation-driven via the Givebutter platform, supplemented by nominal program fees ($15 for Jedi Training, $25 for Summer Tennis, free theatrical productions) and a sponsorship program. The organization is founder-led, has 1-10 employees, relies on community outreach, word-of-mouth, website presence, email, Instagram, and earned media (a PBS Hawai'i feature) for distribution, and operates with a minimal technology footprint built on Squarespace and Givebutter, with no proprietary software, mobile app, or API.

Name

Never Quit Dreaming

Legal name

Never Quit Dreaming

Website

https://nqdhawaii.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Never Quit Dreaming is a Hawaii-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operating as the state's first autism center, that delivers adaptive sports programs, special events, and creative arts opportunities for special needs children and young adults and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Needs Recreational and Community Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI), Arts & Design Camps (Visual Arts, Crafts, Design Thinking) (EDAMALAH)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Special needs recreation
• Autism community services
• Inclusive youth programs
• Disability support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mililani

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, NQD relies heavily on donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. The organization directs supporters to donate via givebutter.com.
2. Project Kapa Merchandise Sales: Special needs young adults in the Project Kapa program design graphics that are pressed onto apparel, mugs, bags, and other merchandise. 100% of revenue from these sales goes directly back to the participating artists to support their dreams and provide opportunities.
3. Program Fees: Some programs have nominal fees such as Jedi Training at $15 and Summer Tennis at $25. How to Train Your Dragon theater play is free. These fees help offset program costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Never Quit Dreaming is Hawaii's first autism center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing adaptive sports programs (baseball, basketball, golf, judo, soccer, volleyball, DJ school), themed special events (Jedi Training, Moana Live, How to Train Your Dragon Theatre Play, Rock Climbing, Summer Tennis), and inclusive experiential outings (Movie Nights, Kualoa Ranch, Comic Con, Art Academy) for special needs individuals. The organization also runs Project Kapa, a creative arts program in which special needs young adults design merchandise sold through online storefronts, with 100% of revenue returning to the artists.

Product overview

Never Quit Dreaming is a Hawaii-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the first autism center in Hawaii, providing a unified portfolio of sports programs and special events for special needs individuals. The organization offers multiple sports team programs (Firebirds Baseball, Tsunamis Basketball, Golf, Judo, AYSO Soccer, Wallabies Volleyball) alongside a DJ School, all designed to foster growth and confidence through athletics. Additionally, NQD provides special events including Movie Nights, Kualoa Ranch excursions, Comic Con access, Jedi Training, and Art Academy activities. Project Kapa is a separate merchandise program enabling special needs young adults to sell artwork on apparel and products through three artist storefronts (Art of Joy, Shway Shway, Paikea Creations).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Firebirds Baseball: Baseball team for special needs athletes
• Tsunamis Basketball
• Wallabies Volleyball
• Project Kapa
• DJ School

Products and services

• Firebirds Baseball

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNQD and AYSO collaborate to bring the joy of soccer to children with special needs. AYSO provides the framework and support for inclusive soccer programming, while NQD facilitates participation for special needs children in the program.
• Consolidated TheatrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNQD partners with Consolidated Theatres to host sensory-sensitive private screenings of new movies for special needs children, creating a welcoming environment where they can enjoy cinema with family and friends.
• Kualoa RanchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKualoa Ranch serves as a venue for NQD's adventure excursions, allowing special needs children to explore the natural beauty of Hawaii and participate in outdoor activities.
• Amazing Comic ConminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNQD collaborates with Amazing Comic Con to provide opportunities for special needs children to enjoy Comic Con events, dress up as superheroes, and meet their favorite characters.
• Bishop MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNQD organizes educational excursions to the Bishop Museum, providing special needs children with opportunities to explore science and culture in an inclusive environment.
• Crocs (Waikele)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrocs collaboration creates private shopping events for special needs families in a calm, welcoming environment, addressing the challenge of overwhelming shopping experiences for these families.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: Large autism advocacy and services organization that funds recreational programs, family services, and community inclusion initiatives. Comparable to NQD's mission focus on autism services in Hawaii, though it operates as a broad national advocacy and grants organization.
• Inclusion International: Global federation advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, supporting community-based programs worldwide. Comparable advocacy and inclusion focus to NQD's community ecosystem approach.
• Easterseals: Large national nonprofit providing disability services including recreational programs, camps, and inclusion initiatives. Comparable to NQD's special needs sports and events portfolio but operates as a multi-state service provider rather than a Hawaii-specific nonprofit.
• Special Olympics: Global nonprofit providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Highly comparable to NQD's sports team programs (Firebirds Baseball, Tsunamis Basketball, Soccer), but operates at vastly larger scale across many geographies.

Direct peers

• Miracle League: National nonprofit providing adaptive baseball programs for individuals with disabilities. Directly comparable to NQD's Firebirds Baseball program, focused on inclusive team sports for special needs athletes.
• KEEN USA: Nonprofit providing one-to-one recreational programs for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities, including sports and fitness activities. Directly comparable to NQD's adaptive sports and recreation programming for special needs individuals.
• Challenged Athletes Foundation: Nonprofit providing opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, including adaptive sports programming. Comparable to NQD's adaptive sports programs including golf, judo, soccer, and volleyball for special needs participants.
• Best Buddies International: Nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable to NQD's community-inclusion and friendship-building mission.

Emerging players

• iCan Shine: Nonprofit providing adaptive sports and recreation programs including bicycle riding, swimming, and skiing for individuals with disabilities. Comparable to NQD's adaptive sports programs including tennis, judo, and other recreation offerings.
• National Autism Association: Autism-focused nonprofit providing resources, support, and community programming for individuals with autism and their families. Comparable mission focus to NQD as Hawaii's first autism center, though broader in geographic scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Never-Quit-Dreaming-100064901221365
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/never-quit-dreaming

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Never Quit Dreaming