Youth - by Olivia Zhang (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From the teenage founder of Cancer Kids First, the world's largest youth-led cancer nonprofit, comes the essential guidebook young changemakers need to build successful nonprofits from scratch.

Young people are driving social change like never before, but many passionate activists lack the roadmap to turn their ideas into sustainable organizations. Olivia Zhang, who founded Cancer Kids First at age 14 after losing two loved ones to cancer, delivers the comprehensive nonprofit guide she wishes she'd had when first starting out.

Now a Harvard student and recipient of the Diana Legacy Award, Zhang shares her journey of growing Cancer Kids First to reach 10,000+ patients across 22 countries. She provides step-by-step instructions on everything from legal filing and branding to team-building and fundraising, alongside interviews with 10 successful youth nonprofit founders. The book features practical worksheets, checklists, and exercises in an approachable, emoji-filled format that speaks directly to Gen Z changemakers.

Drawing from her viral Google Doc guide that garnered 400,000+ views, Zhang transforms trial-and-error lessons into an actionable blueprint, covering startup essentials, growth strategies, and authentic leadership challenges unique to young founders. For every passionate young person who believes they CAN and SHOULD change the world, YOUth is the ultimate resource to make it happen.

About the Author

Olivia Zhang founded Cancer Kids First (CKF) in 2019 at age 14 after losing two loved ones to cancer. As CEO, she's grown CKF into the world's largest youth-led nonprofit in its field, with 40,000+ volunteers across 80 countries. The organization has initiated 200+ events, donated 60,500+ resources, and partnered with 72 hospitals, aiding 10,000 patients in 22 countries. Zhang received the 2023 Diana Legacy Award and Harvard First-Year Emerging Global Leader award. She has been featured in People, Yahoo News, Business Insider, CBS News, and more.