Who are we?

Founded in 1998 and officially becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2003, Change the World Kids was born from a simple yet powerful idea—taking action when it matters. Inspired by a humanitarian disaster, co-founders Phebe and Nika Meyers, along with a group of determined eight-year-olds, began raising awareness and helping their local Woodstock community about the decline in song birds. What started as small, hands-on acts of service quickly grew into a movement, expanding from a single job a month to multiple each week.

In 2003, we launched our first global initiative, Bosque para Siempre (Forever Forest), in Costa Rica. Partnering with conservationists, we have worked to protect a vital migratory corridor for endangered species like the three-wattled bellbird. Through conservation easements, land purchases, and reforestation, we aim to preserve 300 hectares of land. Over the years, we’ve built a network of over 220 Change the World Kids alums who continue to serve their communities, create new initiatives, and support one another—all while having as much fun as possible!