When you build a successful, thriving company at the age of 16, it goes without saying that the world will definitely take notice. Jesse Willms has done just that, but instead of just cashing out and living the good life, he’s aiming for something a little higher: philanthropy. However, even if you just left at it philanthropy, you would be doing Mr. Willms a disservice — he’s aiming even higher than just giving to charities himself. He’s deciding to be a leader among leaders by encouraging other entrepreneurs to follow in his footsteps.
Anytime that you want to convince a group of leaders that you’re serious about making change, you have to be the one to change first. This is why Jesse Willms has donated $25,000 each to four charities, for a grand total of $100,000.
The money has a specific purpose — to encourage other people that have enjoyed success in business to donate a good chunk of their personal wealth for the sole purpose of making the world a better place.
The charities in question include the Breast Cancer Research Fund, Boston Children’s Hospital, the Nevada YMCA, and the Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund. These charities were handpicked for one reason: they are all charities that handle issues hat affect the world right here, right now. They are current issues that have to be acted upon immediately in order to protect people that may or may not be able to protect themselves. In the case of the Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund, it’s a matter of protecting the environment that we all share, which also includes the animals that inhabit it.
One can assume, rightly so, that Jesse Willms is not stopping at just four charities. At the moment, the young Internet marketer is thinking about branching into other charities, but no other partnerships have been mentioned.