Next Gen Nonprofit

Behind the short-attention-span jokes, a generation builds big change on their own terms.

We’ve all heard the stereotypes about Gen Z. They’re glued to their phones. They can’t focus longer than eight seconds. They’re entitled, impatient, and allergic to hard work. But look closer: Greta Thunberg’s climate strikes drew millions into the streets worldwide, and she continues to fight for environmental justice. Here in the US, Parkland survivor David Hogg co-founded March for Our Lives with fellow classmates in 2018, sparking a movement that’s helped pass 250+ gun safety laws and inspired record voter turnouts.

Those are just two of many young leaders proving how powerful youth-driven civic action can be. At Central Bucks West, four seniors are showing the same drive, spending their last year of high school running an international nonprofit.

Kind Koala, founded in 2023, connects people who can’t afford healthcare with providers willing to donate their services. In just two years, the group has grown into nearly 40 student-led chapters worldwide, with about 300 active members. The effort is led by classmates Adam Kadan, Nate Liang, Daniel Said, and co-founder and co-president Aadi Anantuni, who together balance senior-year social and academic obligations with cold-calling doctors, fundraising, and mentoring student leaders across the globe.

Where It All Clicked

Adam says the spark came from something simple but personal: a classmate teased for a gap in his teeth. “He was really insecure about it, and the bullying was getting to him,” said Adam, who was disappointed by the lack of kindness he saw. “Then it struck me that he wouldn’t have that gap if his family could afford care. That felt like an issue I could actually do something about.”

Adam brought in his friends as the work expanded. “I had already been thinking about community service,” Nate said. “And then Kind Koala came up, which was exactly what I was looking for. I was on board immediately.” Daniel added, “Both my parents are doctors, so I’ve always been interested in medicine and healthcare. The stars pretty much aligned.”

At first, not everyone believed in them. “A lot of people were really skeptical,” Adam said. “Some told me there were better uses for my time. There were days I wondered if I should just drop it.” Their hard work soon took shape, though. As the team expanded and their plans solidified, doubt gave way to encouragement.

“The more we grew and proved ourselves, the more supportive everyone got,” said Nate, whose family provided key legal and tax advice as the group worked toward nonprofit status. “I’m so grateful, too, because all that paperwork and everything, that’s a lot to learn as a high school kid.”

Daniel discovered he had a whole network to draw on. “I’m originally from Egypt, and between the church and the cultural community, there are a lot of people in my circle,” he said. Those connections helped spread the word, but at home his parents still had their reservations. “They’d rather I focus on grades but this is something I feel very passionate about, so I’ve been adamant about making it work.”

An effort like Kind Koala can often feel like a full-time job: hours each day spent emailing, calling, and guiding chapters. Obviously, this pace won’t be sustainable when its leaders are in college, so they’ve been planning ahead since they started. “We already have younger children and teenagers lined up to help lead the organization and take it into the future,” Adam said.

Built Different

Kind Koala is intentionally structured to be adaptable, customizable, and self-sufficient — very different from the traditional nonprofit model. “Since the very beginning, we wanted Kind Koala to be more than a one-off service project,” said Aadi. “We wanted it to be something students anywhere could pick up, adapt, and make their own impact in their local communities. We wanted them to be leaders.”

There’s no rigid hierarchy, no heavy branding, no gatekeeping. Each chapter is free to identify its own community problem and find a way to solve it. In Bucks County, that means healthcare equity. In Malawi, it’s a water well. In another chapter, it’s toothbrushes and soap to help kids stay in school.

“Kind Koala is about solving problems,” Adam said. “The basic process applies anywhere: identify the issue, raise money, and connect the dots.”

That flexible, open-source approach feels downright refreshing. Instead of climbing ladders of approval or working through committees, the students have designed a system that prioritizes action and trust. “By collaborating and asking, ‘Hey, should we do this? What do you think about this?’ we ironed out creases as we went,” Adam said. “That made us more effective.”

For all the importance of their mission, the teens don’t take themselves too seriously. The name “Kind Koala,” for instance, was basically chosen on a whim. “I just thought koalas were cute and the two K’s sounded nice,” Adam shrugged. Daniel offered another take: “Koalas are gentle and caring, so it kind of goes hand in hand.”

Goals on Goals on Goals

Looking ahead, each of them sees a slightly different path. Daniel imagines chapters drilling down into local issues. “Affordable healthcare is such a big issue,“ he said, “Maybe some could focus on mental health or another niche in the community.”

For Nate, the next step is building steady grant and fundraising streams so the group can respond more quickly to needs. “Something as basic as feminine hygiene products can make a huge impact on a kid’s daily life,” he said, “I hope when we have more capital, we’ll be able to tackle problems like that immediately.”

Aadi hopes to grow partnerships while keeping Kind Koala’s grassroots feel. “Long-term, I’d like to see Kind Koala partner with institutions and nonprofits while still keeping the grassroots, student-driven initiative that makes it unique,” he said.

Adam agrees, and also keeps his eyes on the bigger picture. “I’m hoping Kind Koala can partner with big medical corporations and make a bigger dent in fixing healthcare inequity,” he said. “I’d like us to also have an impact on public policy and reforms.”

Kind Koala has already shown what a handful of determined high schoolers can accomplish. Their goals may sound ambitious — reshaping healthcare access, influencing policy, solving local problems in different countries — but at heart, they’re still teenagers figuring it out as they go. “I definitely watch a little too much TikTok and Instagram Reels,” Adam laughed. “But when people commit to making a change, things can really happen, no matter how young or old you are.”

🐨 Get Involved with Kind Koala

• Providers: Doctors, dentists, and other professionals can volunteer care through Kind Koala. Services are donated at low or no cost, with full tax documentation and recognition on their platforms.
• Need help? Individuals or organizations can apply online to be matched with a provider or connected to a local chapter’s resources.
• Start a Chapter: Students make local impact with Kind Koala’s support.
• Donate: Support their mission via GoFundMe.
• Everyone else: Please follow and share! Each chapter runs its own social media — every click helps spread the word.

📍 Website: kindkoala.org
📷 Instagram: @teamkindkoala
📘 Facebook: Kind Koala