20 Nonprofit Startup Ideas for High School Students in 2025

Starting a nonprofit in high school is a good way to create impact while building useful skills. You will learn how to lead, solve problems, and manage responsibilities; skills that complement your schoolwork. You’ll develop entrepreneurial skills like strategic planning, fundraising, budget management, and team leadership. You can start small in your local community, grow virtually, and even connect with peers across countries for support.

Starting and running your own venture shows college admissions officers that you can identify problems, mobilize resources, and create solutions—showing maturity and leadership that goes beyond typical extracurriculars. Unlike participating in internships or formal programs, starting your own nonprofit allows you to focus on a cause you personally care about. You might also build valuable professional networks by connecting with community leaders, potential donors, and other nonprofit founders.

With that, here are 20 nonprofit startup ideas for high school students in 2025!

1. Volunteering 

Skills Required: Communication, teamwork, time management, and empathy. You also need problem-solving skills to handle unexpected challenges in the field.

Tools Required: A reliable way to organize schedules, such as Google Calendar or Trello. Access to email, messaging apps, and simple design tools like Canva can help you plan and promote activities.

In this nonprofit startup, you design projects that support local needs like organizing food drives, tutoring younger students, or raising awareness for social causes. You will work directly with people, gain leadership experience, and build campaigns that can be showcased at school, in the community, or online.

2. Community Clean Up 

Skills Required: Organization, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. You also need communication skills to bring people together and spread awareness.

Tools Required: Basic cleaning supplies like gloves, trash bags, and reusable containers. Digital tools such as Canva for posters, Google Docs for planning, and social media apps for outreach.

A community clean-up nonprofit lets you tackle visible problems while creating positive change in your neighborhood. You can organize weekend drives, partner with local groups, or run awareness campaigns on waste management. The effort builds teamwork, leadership, and responsibility, while giving you results you can showcase in school or online.

3. Start A Club 

Skills Required: Leadership, communication, planning, and collaboration. You also need creativity to design engaging activities and persistence to keep members motivated.

Tools Required: A shared online workspace like Google Drive, group messaging apps, and simple tools like Canva or PowerPoint for presentations. Flyers or posters can also help with promotion.

This nonprofit startup idea allows you to focus on causes that matter, including the environment, arts, education, or social justice. You can host workshops, run campaigns, or partner with community groups. Clubs create a structured space for teamwork, give you leadership practice, and let you showcase results at school or online.

4. Food Recovery Network 

Skills Required: Organization, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. You also need leadership skills to coordinate volunteers and build partnerships with local businesses.

Tools Required: Access to messaging apps for coordination, spreadsheets for tracking donations, and simple design tools like Canva for awareness campaigns. Basic storage containers and transport arrangements may also be needed.

Starting a food recovery network lets you collect surplus food from restaurants, schools, or grocery stores and redirect it to shelters or community groups. This initiative reduces waste and supports people in need. You gain leadership experience, strengthen community ties, and create measurable results worth sharing locally or online.

5. Raise Awareness

Skills Required: Research, communication, creativity, and empathy. Public speaking and leadership also help you connect with peers and guide meaningful discussions.

Tools Required: Social media platforms for campaigns, Canva for posters, Google Docs for planning, and video tools like Zoom for virtual events.

Raising awareness about issues such as gender equality, education access, or queer rights allows you to design projects that spark dialogue and encourage change. You can host workshops, create online campaigns, or collaborate with local groups. This nonprofit startup builds leadership, teamwork, and advocacy skills while giving you a platform to share results in school and beyond.

6. Food Donation Programs 

Skills Required: Organization, leadership, communication, and teamwork. You also need problem-solving skills to coordinate logistics and ensure donations reach the right places.

Tools Required: Messaging apps for coordination, spreadsheets for tracking donations, Canva for awareness posters, and transport arrangements for delivery. Partnerships with local restaurants, schools, or grocery stores can also be helpful.

Running a food donation program allows you to collect extra food from homes, events, or businesses and distribute it to shelters or community kitchens. This project reduces waste and supports families in need. You gain leadership experience, build community trust, and share results at school or online platforms.

7. Science Competition 

Skills Required: Critical thinking, creativity, leadership, and teamwork. Strong research and communication skills help you plan projects and present ideas clearly.

Tools Required: Online platforms for collaboration like Google Drive, Canva for promotional materials, and video tools like Zoom for virtual judging or mentoring. Access to basic lab supplies or DIY science kits can support hands-on work.

Hosting a science competition as a nonprofit lets you inspire curiosity and problem-solving among students. You can design challenges around real-world issues, invite mentors to guide participants, and showcase results in schools or online. This builds leadership experience while encouraging innovation in your community.

8. Host Sports Day for Adults

Skills Required: Leadership, event planning, communication, and teamwork. You also need organizational skills to manage schedules, volunteers, and participants.

Tools Required: Sports equipment, access to a local ground or gym, Google Sheets for registrations, Canva for posters, and messaging apps for coordination. Small prizes or certificates can add value.

Hosting a sports day for adults as a nonprofit idea promotes fitness, community bonding, and fun. You can organize friendly matches, wellness activities, or charity-driven competitions. This project gives you event management experience, builds leadership, and creates a visible impact in your community that can be shared at school or online.

9. Host Queer Events 

Skills Required: Empathy, communication, organization, and leadership. You also need creativity to design events that are inclusive and engaging.

Tools Required: Social media platforms for promotion, Canva for posters, Zoom or Google Meet for virtual events, and local spaces for in-person gatherings. Partnerships with student clubs or community groups can add support.

Hosting queer events as a nonprofit startup allows you to create safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ voices. You can plan workshops, panel discussions, art shows, or awareness campaigns. This initiative builds leadership and advocacy skills while encouraging collaboration. It also provides results that you can showcase in school, communities, or online.

10. Film Review Club 

Skills Required: Critical thinking, communication, leadership, and creativity. You also need organizational skills to plan screenings and discussions.

Tools Required: Streaming platforms or DVDs for films, Google Docs for planning, Canva for posters, and social media apps for promotion. A classroom or virtual platform like Zoom can serve as a meeting space.

A film review club lets you explore social issues, culture, and storytelling through movies. You can host screenings, write reviews, and organize discussions around themes like gender, history, or human rights. This builds leadership, teamwork, and analysis skills while giving you a platform to share insights at school or online.

11. Host Business Competitions

Skills Required: Leadership, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. You also need organizational skills to design challenges and manage participants.

Tools Required: Google Sheets for registrations, Canva for posters, Zoom for virtual pitches, and collaboration platforms like Google Drive. Local venues or classrooms can host in-person rounds.

Hosting business competitions gives you the chance to promote creativity and entrepreneurial thinking among students. You can design case studies, invite mentors for judging, and encourage teams to pitch ideas. This project builds leadership and event planning skills while creating a platform where students can showcase results in school, communities, or online.

12. Fundraising for Other NGOs

Skills Required: Communication, organization, leadership, and creativity. You also need problem-solving skills to design campaigns that attract attention and support.

Tools Required: Social media platforms for outreach, Canva for posters, Google Sheets for tracking funds, and online payment tools for donations. Event spaces or virtual platforms like Zoom can also be useful.

Fundraising for other NGOs allows you to support established organizations while gaining leadership and project management experience. You can plan charity events, run online campaigns, or partner with local businesses. This nonprofit startup idea strengthens collaboration, builds community trust, and gives you measurable results to showcase at school or online.

13. Start a Podcast 

Skills Required: Communication, creativity, research, and consistency. You also need organizational skills to plan episodes and leadership to manage collaborations or guests.

Tools Required: A good microphone, basic editing software like Audacity, Canva for cover art, and platforms like Spotify or YouTube for publishing. Google Docs can help outline scripts and schedules.

Starting a podcast allows you to raise awareness on topics such as education, mental health, or social issues. Invite peers, mentors, or community leaders as guests. This will help you build communication and leadership skills while creating content that can reach schools, communities, and global audiences online.

14. Review Website

Skills Required: Writing, research, communication, and critical thinking. You also need consistency to publish regularly and leadership to coordinate with peers or contributors.

Tools Required: A website builder like WordPress or Wix, Canva for graphics, Google Docs for drafting, and social media platforms for promotion. Analytics tools can help track engagement.

Creating a review website as a nonprofit startup lets you focus on books, films, apps, or local services that matter to your community. You can highlight educational resources, social initiatives, or cultural projects. This idea builds writing and digital skills while giving you results to showcase at school, in local communities, or online.

15. Help Teens / Young Adults Earn 

Skills Required: Communication, organization, financial literacy, and problem-solving. You also need creativity to design fair opportunities and leadership to guide peers.

Tools Required: Social media platforms, Google Workspace for coordination, Canva for promotional materials, and basic finance tools like Excel or budgeting apps.

Helping teens or young adults earn money can be a meaningful nonprofit project. You can connect peers to part-time jobs, freelance gigs, or community-based work. Organize workshops on money management or resume building. Work virtually with mentors or local professionals to build credibility. This initiative supports financial independence and also creates space for collaboration and real-world learning.

16. Food Delivery System 

Skills Required: Organization, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. You also need basic project management skills to coordinate schedules and deliveries.

Tools Required: A website or app builder, Google Maps for routes, spreadsheets for tracking, and social media for outreach. Messaging apps help coordinate volunteers.

A nonprofit food delivery system can focus on helping senior citizens, low-income families, or students who struggle with meals. You can partner with local restaurants, NGOs, or community kitchens. Work with mentors to set up safe and reliable processes. The project can run virtually for coordination while creating an impact on the ground. In the process, you build leadership, get service experience, and visibility in your school and community.

17. YouTube Channel 

Skills Required: Storytelling, video editing, research, and clear communication. You also need consistency, creativity, and teamwork if others join you.

Tools Required: A camera or smartphone, video editing software, Canva for graphics, and YouTube Studio for uploads and analytics.

Starting a YouTube channel as a nonprofit project lets you raise awareness about social issues, share educational content, or highlight community stories. You can collaborate with peers, invite experts, and even create campaigns for local causes. It works virtually and gives you space to experiment with digital media. Over time, your channel can showcase real impact to schools, communities, and online audiences while helping you build leadership and media skills.

18. Motivational Apps 

Skills Required: Basic coding, problem-solving, design thinking, and communication. You also need creativity to design content that keeps users engaged.

Tools Required: App-building platforms like Glide or MIT App Inventor, Canva for visuals, and Google Workspace for collaboration.

Creating a motivational app as a nonprofit startup lets you support teens and young adults with daily reminders, goal-setting tools, or inspiring stories. You can work virtually, partner with mentors, and invite peers to test and improve features. This project builds technical and leadership skills while giving you the chance to launch campaigns that reach both your school and a wider community. It’s a flexible way to showcase how technology can encourage positive habits and personal growth.

19. Language Learning Startup 

Skills Required: Communication, teaching, cultural awareness, and teamwork. You also need creativity to design lessons and patience to support learners.

Tools Required: Zoom or Google Meet for online classes, Duolingo for practice ideas, Canva for worksheets, and Google Docs for shared materials.

A language learning startup lets you help peers or younger students improve their skills in English or other languages. You can organize virtual sessions, create interactive lessons, or host cultural exchange projects. Working with mentors or language teachers adds depth, while peer collaboration makes it more engaging. You can showcase progress through school clubs, community workshops, or online platforms. This startup builds leadership, teaching experience, and global awareness while making learning accessible to more students.

20. Recycling Old Clothes

Skills Required: Organization, creativity, communication, and teamwork. You also need problem-solving skills to sort, repair, or distribute clothing efficiently.

Tools Required: Storage space, basic sewing kits, Canva for awareness posters, social media for outreach, and Google Sheets to track donations and volunteers.

Recycling old clothes as a nonprofit startup lets you reduce waste and support communities in need. You can collect gently used clothes, repair or repurpose them, and distribute them to shelters or underprivileged families. Work with peers, local NGOs, or schools to expand reach. This nonprofit startup builds leadership, project management, and community engagement skills while making a visible impact.

Young Founders Lab

If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you build a startup in high school, consider the Young Founders Lab! 

The Young Founders Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. 

You can access the application link here!