Can high school students really change the world? Critics often argue that student-led nonprofits are more about college applications than social impact. Yet organizations like EcoMoCo demonstrate that with vision and dedication, teenagers can change the world.
Students may create nonprofits just to be another activity listed on their college applications. This would increase the likelihood of students having little to no passion about the actual cause, leading to less motivation to achieve nonprofit’s missions long-term. “A lot of folks who start some service-related thing in high school, oftentimes it’s done with the intention of it being a boost on a college application,” Letters to Strangers Executive Director Diana Chao said.
Leaders of successful non-profits have a genuine interest and desire to accomplish the organization’s set mission. They wouldn’t dedicate hours a day to the organization when still having other responsibilities, like academics or sports. For example, EcoMoCo is a student-led nonprofit dedicated to environmental advocacy. Sophomore at Poolesville and EcoMoCo co-president Lorena Wu also participates in her debate team, fencing and other advocacy extracurriculars. With a busy schedule, Wu has committed hours to this nonprofit. Through her involvement in the Poolesville Global Ecology Program, Wu has gained a passion for making an impact in her environment. “I believe that any effort, small or big, that can be done today to minimize the harm to the environment will contribute to improving the quality of life for my family, friends and peers in the future,” Wu said.
However, even if students are inclined to get involved in a nonprofit for the sake of college applications, it doesn’t mean they can’t make a tangible impact. In fact, these intentions could actually be more fuel for students to continue building the nonprofit, therefore more persistent to expand their impact in the community. When colleges and universities look at nonprofits, they look at the measurable influence the nonprofit had in the community, such as the amount of money raised or people served. This would only encourage students to work harder to make their nonprofit effective if they are interested in boosting their college applications.
Clearly, high-school students don’t have much experience in the non-profit world. They have less knowledge about proper strategy and structure when it comes to building an organization, compared to adults with higher education in that field. This disparity would lead to disorganized allocation of tasks, reduced productivity and ineffective communication.
EcoMoCo co-founder and Northwest senior Peter Boyko has structured the organization to have seven departments and over 100 executive board members, as well as over 40 chapters globally. This expanded organization has allowed for different categories of tasks to be allocated to each department. For example, the finance department works to plan fundraisers, while the communications department advertises these fundraisers on social media. The departments work together to allow for an efficient and organized organization, allowing for more to be accomplished throughout EcoMoCo. With a proper understanding of the needs of your organization, you can adapt the structure to allow for success.
Additionally, student-led nonprofits may not have the ability to foster trust between their organizations and others. “Building local trust, forging partnerships with government and ensuring sustainability are the main challenges that NGOs face,” according to Devex.
Student-led nonprofits can easily build trust with other entities with consistent communication and taking initiative. EcoMoCo is involved in events and conversations with policy makers such as Mayor Jud Ashman and Maryland Delegate Joe Vogel. EcoMoCo has annual advocacy days where members go to Capitol Hill to share their ideas with policymakers. From Eco MoCo’s productive discussions, they were able to “create the Regeneration Scholarship, which would provide two high school seniors with $250 each for college costs,” Wu said.
Aside from organizations being successful on paper, they have the ability to be an extremely rewarding process for students involved. The journey of being involved in an organization can make a student recognize that they can take initiative and make an impact in their community. This would foster a robust mindset in students that will encourage them to continue volunteering in the future, if they can understand their capabilities to make a difference. Student-led nonprofit, Youth Embracing Lasting Development (YIELD) has donated more than 1,300 books and hygiene products, as well as 2,000 items of clothing, according to Points of Light. “I strongly believe the world is worthy of optimism, and that united, we can pave the way for a brighter future,” founder and president of YIELD Ella Townsend said.
Nonprofits led by students can offer an extra insight on what has to be advocated for. If adults lead all organizations, there would be no direct representation of students. Students can identify and combat issues that affect them more than any adult can, including mental health or educational inequity. The new generations call for newer organizations that are more representative of their needs.
If you are passionate about a topic, big or small, get involved in a student-led nonprofit or make one yourself. “We all have the power to be changemakers,” Townsend said.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated from a previous version that incorrectly identified Poolesville and EcoMoCo co-president Lorena Wu as vice-president.
