The 14-Year Old Philanthropist With The $2 Plan

Julien Leitner, Philanthropist

A young 14-year-old teenager from Oregon named Julien Leitner believes he can change the world with $2.

In 2014, Leitner founded a charity aimed at creating a way for approximately 1 million people to donate $2 to his organization, Archimedes Alliance. Though Julien realized he couldn’t raise the money on his own, he believed that people armed with the intention of making a difference could share their $2 with his to accomplish amazing things.

In his interview with the Oregonian, the teenager said, “It hit me that I might not be able to do something on my own, but there has to be a billion other people like me who want to make a difference but feel they can’t,” remarked Leitner. “I thought, ‘What if everyone just pooled their resources?'”

The burgeoning philanthropist’s savvy with social media and PR has made him a well-known personality on news, universities and social media platforms. He has given talks at the Portland State University’s digital media conference, given numerous interviews and given advice on how to use social media to fundraise effectively, reports MSNBC. What makes donors remember and want to help his cause is that it is evident in all his public appearances that he possesses a determination and philanthropic spirit beyond his 14 years.

So far, Archimedes Alliance has raised almost $19,000 with a goal of $2 million. The website has a video featuring the teen explaining his philanthropic reasoning, and a way for patrons to make donations and vote for one of three charities: Invisible Children, Outreach International or VillageReach. The charity with the most votes will be awarded the $2 million.

The foundation was named after the Greek mathematician, Archimedes, who said, “Give me a lever long enough, and a place to stand, and I can move the Earth.”

Julien Leitner aims to do just that. Says Leitner, “Together, we are the lever. You are the lever. It’s time to move the Earth.” Little overwrought, maybe, but what do you expect from a teenager? I like where his head is at.

Photo credit Huffington Post