Founder & Head of Curriculum
Hey, I’m Nihar! I'm a 10th-grade student passionate about investing, behavioral finance, and helping teens build healthy money habits early.
I began investing at age nine after my parents opened a custodial brokerage account for me. Using pocket money and gifts, I developed a simple system to save, invest, and grow my money without giving up the things I enjoy. Through that experience, I learned the value of consistency, patience, and long-term thinking.
While I was fortunate to have access to guidance and resources, I realized many teens are never taught practical money skills early on. For most people, financial education comes only after debt or financial stress has already set in.
That realization led me to start Ten Cents of Hope.
Ten Cents of Hope is a youth-led nonprofit that helps teens build strong financial foundations through education, habit-building, and an understanding of the psychology behind money decisions, so financial confidence starts before adulthood.
Head of Operations
Hi, I’m Sahithi Kanchanapalli! I’m a freshman at Apex and highly devoted to spreading knowledge about financial literacy and help teens make smart decisions for their financial futures.
Growing up, my family was middle class, where money was never something we had too much of, but always something we had to think carefully about. My parents worked hard to provide for us, and while we were comfortable, I quickly learned that every dollar had a purpose. Whether it was budgeting for groceries, saving for bigger expenses, or choosing between needs and wants, these small decisions shaped how I see money today.
Financial stability isn’t just about how much money you have, it’s how you use it. My parents helped me become more responsible and aware,and my goal is to share what I’ve learned to help others. Through this non-profit I hope to teach teens about budgeting, saving, and making smart choices so they can feel more prepared and independent in their futures.
Head of Operations
Yo, I'm Viraj Arneja! I’m a freshman in high school and hold the position of Leader of Operations for Ten Cents of Hope. I’m passionate about financial literacy and how we can assist teenagers in developing healthy habits that can benefit them throughout their lives.
Growing up, I saw people experiencing homelessness and families living paycheck to paycheck. That reality stuck with me. At the same time, I noticed something surprising: even some of my friends who come from financially comfortable backgrounds don’t really know how to manage money. They’ve never been taught how to budget, save, or think long-term. And without those skills, it’s easy to imagine how things could go wrong in the future.
That contrast made me realize something important: financial instability doesn’t always start with a crisis. It often starts with small habits and a lack of education.
I’m still learning myself. I’ve made mistakes with money, but each one has helped me become more intentional about saving and managing what I have. I believe financial literacy isn’t about becoming wealthy; it’s about building stability, independence, and peace of mind.
As a member of Ten Cents of Hope, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to assist in filling this gap and to continue to improve our organization’s structure to ensure its sustainability and growth in the near future.
Head of Marketing
Hi, I'm Raina Patel! I’m the Head of Marketing at Ten Cents of Hope, a nonprofit that supports teens in building financial stability through education and hands-on support. In my role, I work on shaping how we share our mission, programs, and impact, making sure our messaging is clear, thoughtful, and easy to connect with.
My focus is on reaching the right audiences, building trust, and helping our work be understood by the people it’s meant to serve.