Gen Zers Who Are Making a Difference

A Teenager Sends Soccer Balls Around the World

Ethan King, 15, Charity Ball

Ethan King was 10 in 2009 when he accompanied his father, director of the water charity, Vox United, on a trip to Mozambique. The boy brought along his soccer ball and love for the game and quickly found the local kids were equally keen on “football.” What they often lacked, however, was an actual ball. Some were reduced to using wadded-up plastic bags wrapped with twine.

The young visitor gave his ball away when he left and returned home with a mission: to get more balls into kids’ hands (and at their feet).

“I was thinking about it as an organization,” Ethan says. “I just wanted to help kids.”

The board at his father’s nonprofit helped him establish Charity Ball, which has raised nearly $200,000 and given away more than 5,000 soccer balls around the world. Last fall he visited Rio de Janeiro to give away 500 balls at an event hosted by Katie Couric, with support from Johnson & Johnson, the medical-supply company.

At home in Holland, Mich., he spends up to 15 hours a week on Charity Ball, balancing the project with schoolwork and soccer practice. The commitment is part of his goals, he says: “I’d like to make philanthropy part of my career.”

His advice for charities looking to connect with Gen Z? “Hire teenagers and recruit teenage celebrities to be the corporate voice: Kids relate to kids.”

How he describes his generation: Techno-centric, Realistic, Knowledgeable

His 3 greatest concerns: Corruption and misuse of power, Apathy, Poverty

A Teenager Founds a Theater Group to Take on Tough Causes

Jacob Gardenswartz, 19, ImpACT on Stage

Jacob Gardenswartz first brought an anti-bullying message to the stage through a volunteer theatrical troupe he started in high school. His efforts won him a $36,000 Tikkun Olam Award last year from the Helen Diller Family Foundation, for teenagers helping to “repair the world” (as “tikkun olam” means in Hebrew).

The San Diego youth then used the money to further his cause, starting his own charity to continue such theatrical efforts.

“I really loved the idea of using live theater to facilitate meaningful discussions about important issues. However, I wasn’t aware of any existing nonprofit that was working to do that,” says Mr. Gardenswartz, now a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania.

The charity brings its original theatrical pieces to schools, businesses, and community centers. The works confront bullying, sexual violence, and substance abuse.

“My generation grew up with the idea that all the answers to every one of life’s questions are just a Google search away, and I think that has led to an overwhelming optimism and belief that we can change the world,” Mr. Gardenswartz says. “We are the generation to correct the mistakes of years past, and we have the passion and ingenuity to do so.”

How he describes his generation: Passionate, Resourceful, Dynamic

His 3 greatest concerns: Acceptance of diversity, Income inequality, Lack of American participation in democracy

A Teenager Starts a Business to Raise Money for African Girls

Mary Grace Henry, 18, Reverse the Course

When Mary Grace Henry was 12, she learned through her school’s sister school in Uganda that many girls in Africa don’t get an education, for both financial and cultural reasons.

“I wanted to help, so I asked my parents for a sewing machine with the belief that If I taught myself how to sew, I could begin making reversible headbands to sell to support a girl’s education,” Ms Henry says.

Today the Harrison, N.Y., teenager is a social entrepreneur: Her company Reverse the Course sells a variety of hair accessories that she designs (now made commercially) with all of the profits (some $200,000 to date) going to Reverse the Course Foundation, a charity that has helped 66 girls afford school.

“So many of my generation are willing to do this sort of thing and have the skill set to do it,” Ms. Henry says. “We have a really positive outlook on the future that I think is going to be really transformative.”

How she describes her generation: Innovative, Activists, Risk takers

Her 3 greatest concerns: Boko Haram militant group, Education in the U.S. and abroad, International conflict

Charity Founder Started at Age 7

Mandi Simon, 11, Simon Says Give

Mandi Simon has been involved with more than 500 birthday parties — and not necessarily because the fifth grader is the most popular student in her class. Instead, it’s a testament to her generosity.

Throwing birthday parties for needy kids, complete with presents (one practical, one fun) are part of a charity effort that has also provided thousands of free backpacks full of school supplies.

She was only 7 when she told her mother she wanted to “start a business” helping others. “I thought it would be fun to do my own thing,” says Ms. Simon.

However, her charity, in Eagan, Minn., is no solo act: Simon Says Give collaborated with other nonprofits, like the YMCA, which hosts many of the birthday parties. Her group has distributed more than $1 million in goods and services from corporate donors like Walmart and has raised money online and through events, like a recent charity fashion show.

Ms. Simon, who says she wants philanthropy always to be part of her life, says nonprofits need to court Gen Z supporters. “Show kids ways to get engaged and what the goals of the organization are,” she says. “Make it easy for kids to engage. One of the reasons we started Simon Says Give was so that it was easy for kids to get involved with us and to see the direct results of their actions.”

How she describes her generation: Leaders, Philanthropists, Brave

Her 3 greatest concerns: Terrorism, Poverty, Hunger