Years ago, Matt Hoidal ’90 was cleaning out his dresser drawers when he came across a pile of Spanish coins. The change was left over from his fifth form year at Hill, when he took part in the School Year Abroad program and lived in Spain. The coins led Hoidal to wonder how many people had foreign money sitting idly in their homes. After a quick internet search, Hoidal found out that 10 billion dollars worth of change is collecting dust in the U.S. alone. He began thinking of utilizing spare change as a tool to help kids discover their potential as change-makers in the world.

Eventually, after working with two different nonprofit organizations over the span of 17 years, Hoidal developed a business plan to create World of Change as a nonprofit corporation. The organization’s unique commitment to philanthropy made it appealing to public and private schools alike. A year after World of Change was established in 2017, the organization was introduced to Hill. 

“As a new movement, World of Change presents Hill students the opportunity to be part of something from the ground up,” Hoidal said. “Someday we can all look back and be proud of the roles we each played in growing this movement to scale.”

In the fall of 2018, Gabby Painter ’19, Megan Mikuen ’19, and Noorie Dhingra ’21 worked to find a place for World of Change at Hill; a jar was placed in the Grille towards the end of the fall term and $350 worth of loose change was collected. This money was donated to Hobart’s Run, who partnered with the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation and North End Swimming Club to offer swim membership scholarships to Pottstown families, specifically to single-parent and new parent households. That year, the coins that Hill students donated ensured that families in the area could enjoy a healthy and fun summer. 

“The school is setting an example for other boarding schools and private day schools to emulate and add their personal touches to,” Hoidal said.

This year is the second year World of Change is being rolled out at Hill and $250 dollars has already been raised. It is also Hoidal’s 30th reunion year, so he is considering doing something special with World of Change to commemorate it. 

“I hope Hill students see [World of Change] as an example of two things: the privilege we have to dream and the gift we have to pursue those dreams,” Hoidal said. “All the better if your dreams can contribute to the greater good.”