After setting a new Guinness World Record this month for distributing more than 21,000 pairs of women’s and children’s shoes, you might think members of the teenager-run Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) would coast until the new year. Still, they are gearing up for another major initiative: YPC Labs.
“Our goal is to create the largest 19-and-under entrepreneurship competition in the U.S.,” YPC’s founder Augustus Holm said.
Unlike traditional contests that favor well-resourced participants, YPC Labs aims to level the playing field by allowing ideas to compete against ideas and prototypes against prototypes. The program seeks to empower youth from underserved communities with instructional videos and guaranteed prize money.
Holm explained how he enjoyed participating in startup competitions in high school. He said attending The Bishop’s School in La Jolla provided access to exceptional teachers and resources, which were instrumental in developing initial prototypes. However, he observed a stark disparity in opportunities, as participants from top schools had significant funding and advantages while others with fewer resources faced an unfair disadvantage.
“I saw kids from top high schools, traveling to competitions and they had already raised $50,000 in funding,” Holm said. “I don’t think a 15-year-old or 16-year-old should be expected to have built an entire company in order to stand a chance.”
“We’re not looking at the person’s age, school or where they’re from,” he said. “We’re just looking at their idea.”
Additionally, YPC is preparing to file its first Form 990, marking a new chapter as a more complex and official nonprofit. The reported $1.1 million retail value of the donated shoes underscores the scale of their operations and opens doors to larger gifts and grants.
YPC’s journey began in 2019, led by then-13-year-old Holm with guidance from his mother, Pat Salas.
“My mom is huge in philanthropy and she Instilled in me from a young age that if you’re capable of helping another person, then it’s your duty to do so,” he said.
Holm shared how his mother provided invaluable guidance on fundraising, pitching and logistics, laying the foundation for success. Holm has since taken over the reins of YPC, building on the skills Salas taught while continuing to value her as the group’s primary advisor.
Over the years, Holm said the organization has grown exponentially. The inaugural St. Nick’s Kicks event in 2020 started with a distribution of 5,000 pairs of shoes, rising to 13,000 the following year and then 17,000. The idea to attempt a world record emerged organically when the team realized they were nearing the standing record of 17,526 pairs.
Jellypop, a female-founded footwear brand that supplied all the shoes, made it possible to smash the record by donating an additional 4,000 pairs to handily secure the achievement.
Holm said last weekend’s event at Sharp Healthcare Spectrum Center was filled with tender moments and shared how a mother arrived at the giveaway with her two young daughters, hesitant but hopeful after hearing about free shoes on the news. When she learned there was no catch — just kindness during the holiday season — she was overwhelmed with gratitude as volunteers handed her six pairs for her family.
Fighting back tears, the mother told Holm she worked multiple jobs, and providing Christmas presents was a constant source of stress. This kindness, which eased her burden, meant the world to her.
Holm’s work extends past YPC — the 18-year-old entrepreneur is also focused on his startup, CheckRx, a Medicare plan comparison tool designed to simplify prescription coverage for seniors. With $750,000 raised in seed funding and a valuation of $8.8 million, CheckRx is poised to make waves in the healthcare industry.
Holm credits his experience with YPC for teaching him resilience when facing adults who didn’t take him seriously and the power of action.
“Talking only gets you so far,” he said. “The best way to gain respect is by doing.”
As YPC continues to grow, Holm and his team remain committed to their mission of empowering youth and uplifting communities. The success of St. Nick’s Kicks is a testament to what passion, generosity and determination can achieve.
Though Guinness wasn’t the primary goal, the momentum from St. Nick’s Kicks is propelling YPC Labs forward.
“The Guinness World Record proved we’re more than just a bunch of kids that want to help; we’re really dedicated,” Holm said.
YPC is currently fundraising for YPC Labs, with a goal to launch by the end of this year. To make a contribution, go to ypc.care.
