“Dan ... was wanting to start a nonprofit to teach young adults with autism technology for employment,” Moore said. “He was a tech genius and was looking for someone to market and build a nonprofit.”
The duo started filing for nonprofit status and in September 2010, they opened nonPareil Institute on the Southern Methodist University Plano campus. In 2020, the nonprofit moved to the current location on Park Boulevard.
What’s in a name?
Moore said that nonpareil is a French word meaning no parallel, no equal.
“We wanted a name that was unique, that spoke to how we view these students—we view them as very awesome men and women.”
The specifics
NonPareil offers technology and work-readiness training, social engagement, internal projects and employment opportunities.
Technology classes, some of which are taught by former nonPareil students, include digital art, graphic design, programming, scripting and more.
“On the technical side, many people on the autism spectrum love technology, so they have an affinity for technology,” Moore said.
Work readiness instruction develops confidence and competence by practicing skills such as time management, communication and more.
NonPareil’s trademarked PowerSourcing is what Moore calls the nonprofit’s “secret sauce”.
“We have companies that have outsourced work to us, and the company pays us and we pay the student. Now they are our employees,” Moore said. “They can hone their work skills here—almost like in an incubator situation or an internship. They can fail here safely and not get fired. They are working with others in a safe place and getting paid.”
Companies have contracted nonPareil students to do digital designs, educational games, digitize print material and more.
Marking a milestone
When nonPareil launched in 2010, video game design was the only course offered.
“... We did the pivot in 2017, when we expanded beyond just the video games and added soft skills, clubs, social engagement and more tech tracts,” Moore said.
Because nonPareil received so many requests to open campuses in other cities, the nonprofit opened locations in Houston in 2015, Austin and Orlando, Florida in 2019.
“We had a number of parents who had young children and young adult children on the spectrum, that were worried about their kids’ future,” Moore said. “They came to Plano and asked, ‘When can we open in Houston?’ We had a number of fundraising events to raise a million dollars. Once we raised a million dollars, we opened Houston.”
What to expect
The organization has an virtual component called nP Online which offers virtual training to students living outside the areas of the in-person sites. There are 60 students from 25 states that attend nP Online.
“I said we'd never be an online instructional institution, but I ate those words during COVID. They're loving it but it's not the same as being in person,” Moore said. “In five years, I would love to open [training centers] in 10 major cities. We have 70 cities clamoring for us.”
- 5085 W. Park Blvd., Plano
- www.npusa.org
