At the tender age of 12, Arjun Sharda of Round Rock is not only a tech wunderkind but is now the founder of his very own nonprofit, TLEEM. This young visionary created the organization with a clear mission: to empower students by immersing them in the worlds of technology, leadership, entrepreneurship, engineering, and mathematics. According to KXAN, Sharda wants to "help empower students and individuals to develop their skills that schools might not teach."
Despite his age, Sharda's accomplishments could rival those of seasoned professionals. Besides being an open-source savant, he has added the significant feather of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founder to his cap. As reported by The Austin Journal, Sharda successfully registered TLEEM as a nonprofit on Oct. 29 and didn't hesitate to apply for its tax-exempt status by mid-November. His capable hands aren't just limited to paperwork; he's also taken the helm on a range of tech projects that showcase his coding chops.
The young nonprofit head honcho's organization has already started to expand its reach, running four chapters, including two abroad. Fueled by a $10,000 monthly ad grant from Google's Nonprofit Program, TLEEM is swiftly moving towards its goal of holding a conference in 2025. This event, according to The Austin Journal, will delve into the revolutionary changes occurring within TLEEM's core fields.
TLEEM's rapid growth can partly be attributed to Sharda's decision to manage the inauguration amidst a move from Leander ISD to Round Rock. "It didn’t stop me because my friends still manage their chapter at [Running Brushy Middle School] and I just used to do meetings virtually,” Sharda told KXAN. Sharda's ambition for his nonprofit is nothing if not global, with expansion plans to include as "many countries as possible." His family and friends have provided an unshakeable support system, reassuring Sharda as he steers TLEEM into uncharted waters, enabling it to set sail toward a future where education transcends borders.
This isn't just a fleeting project for the Round Rock prodigy. Sharda envisions adding a youth advisory board and organizing networking conferences for students. He considers TLEEM "an adventure" that grows more rewarding with every new volunteer, achievement, and person served. It's a sentiment that sums up the essence of his undertaking—using his passion and acumen to carve out a niche where youthful audacity and technological enlightenment converge.
