Joel Stephen
Julia Mulroy
Lama Ismail
St. John's University
Charles Wankel
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From promoting products that matter with DGW Branded to helping individuals achieve their best with non-profit organizations, Healthy Humans and Foster Greatness, our priority has always been motivated by a belief that a holistic approach to business can achieve extraordinary results.
So what exactly is the innovation? DGW’s innovation in the promotional products industry lies in its transforming every corporate purchase into a meaningful contribution to the foster community. Thus, DGW engages businesses in social change without requiring drastic shifts in their operational paradigms. Companies are already going to spend their money on promotional merchandise for their employees anyway, so DGW thought: Might as well make those purchases impactful.
Typically, 10% of DGW’S top line revenue is what they always commit back to supporting the foster population, but there may also be other impactful areas built into their brand. For example, if you go to their promo site, DGWbranded.com, you can see some of the impactful products and services I refer to. You can click into them, and they will say something like, “This is a women-owned business,” “This one donates back 4% to environmental nonprofits,” or “This one is made PVC free.” So as you’re sourcing products and looking around, you can choose your desired service based on what impact you are looking to make.
DGW identified the promotional products industry as a $28 billion arena ripe for disruption. This identification, research and insights from the co-founders are what led to this groundbreaking idea–why not leverage companies’ existing marketing spend for social good? This strategic alignment of businesses’ routine expenditures with societal and environmental impact encompasses a big part of DGW’s innovation.
DGW’s mission transcends mere corporate transactions; it’s about rewriting the narrative of corporate social responsibility. The co-founders’ personal journeys within the foster care system imbue the innovation with a genuine desire to effect tangible change for a community often overlooked. DGW’s sense of purpose goes beyond profit margins; it’s about creating opportunities for foster youth and reshaping societal perspectives on corporate philanthropy..
They also created a nonprofit specifically for them to fund through merchandise called Foster Greatness, and that is where they “100% focus on creating a thriving mindset for young adults that have aged out of the system nationwide to help them break the cycle of survival and create a thriving mindset.”
Doing Good Works (DGW) was really inspired by the co-founders’ personal experience and interactions with the foster care system. One of the co-founders was originally in foster care before being adopted at a young age. However, his siblings were not as fortunate and he reconnected with one of them later in life many years later and realized just how different their life growing up was versus his having been adopted. So he was privy to a little bit about the system at that time but not fully understanding how terrible it was. The other co-founder’s wife was a court appointed special advocate for a young adult who was a minor in the foster system and needed somebody to advocate for them in the court system. They make decisions for them based on education, finances, and more. When he started to hear about the dismal statistics, he told his wife that ‘there's no way that's the case’. She says to him ‘Yeah, I love you to death, and I love what you're doing, but for 30 years, those have been the outcomes.’ He thinks, ‘That's just ridiculous’. So he started to do his own research, and he realized that she wasn't bluffing–that there really have just not been any positive changes for those that have left the foster system over those decades, and he really started to do his due diligence and wanted to get involved.
The co-founders first crossed paths at a 'Royal Family KIDS Camp' Gala, an event hosted by a nonprofit dedicated to uniting children in the U.S. foster care system for a week-long camp experience. Although they initially attended the gala as strangers, they found themselves engaged in activities that sparked a conversation about the alarming statistics surrounding children in the foster care system. As they shared their concerns and perspectives, a shared realization emerged: the existing outcomes for these children were unacceptable, and something needed to change. Driven by a shared passion for transforming outcomes for children in the foster care system, they committed themselves to finding a way to make a meaningful impact, even though the exact path forward was yet to be defined. This decision marked the beginning of their journey towards creating positive change and addressing the challenges faced by children in the foster care system.
Right from the beginning, the co-founders were clear—they didn't want to go the non-profit route. This decision stemmed from the desire to be self-reliant by generating funds through a business model. The challenge was figuring out what that business would be and how it could lead to positive outcomes.
First and foremost, they grappled with the question of 'what.' After thorough research, Jordan, one of the co-founders who had a personal connection as an adoptee, identified a promising avenue—the promotional products industry. Valued at $28 billion, this industry appeared ripe for innovation. Instead of writing checks or engaging in separate social initiatives, businesses could contribute to social change by incorporating branded materials into their regular operations. The concept was simple: Why not support Doing Good Works when you're already buying promotional items? The approach had a low barrier to entry, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes.
Transitioning from the market entry to the 'how' of changing outcomes, the initial idea was straightforward—create job opportunities. The focus was on providing employment for young adults who had aged out of the foster care system. The logic was clear: a job meant a pathway to self-sustainment. Doing Good Works started as a staffing agency, connecting young adults with opportunities, including placements at companies like Disney. The plan was to fund these opportunities through promotional product sales.
However, a crucial realization emerged early on. The high turnover among the young adults placed into jobs highlighted a deeper issue. Simply providing employment wasn't enough. The co-founders recognized the need to address the systematic mindset ingrained in individuals who had spent their formative years in a fight-or-flight mode within the foster care system. It became evident that the solution wasn't merely about finding jobs but about altering the fundamental approach to work and life. The challenge was to break the cycle of fleeing when faced with challenges.
The evolution from a staffing model to a more comprehensive approach unfolded. Doing Good Works aimed not only to place young adults into jobs but also to guide them in developing a thriving mindset. This involved imparting essential communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a growth-oriented mentality. It became clear that sustainable change required going beyond employment placement and addressing the root causes of the challenges faced by young adults transitioning from the foster care system to the workforce.
The journey unfolded into a realization that mere job placements weren't enough—it was essential to cultivate a thriving mindset among young adults who had aged out of the foster care system. This realization gave birth to our nonprofit arm, Foster Greatness. Through this initiative, we focus entirely on empowering young adults nationwide to break the cycle of survival and embrace a thriving mindset.
Termed the "survive to thrive" thought process, the program doesn't stop at securing employment. It goes further, teaching crucial communication skills, resource utilization, and the art of personal growth. The program has been refined through a process of trial and error, with input from adults who have navigated the challenges of transitioning from the foster care system into adulthood. The goal is to create a comprehensive curriculum addressing the specific needs that might have been missed during college or aging out.
This program is more than just a set of guidelines; it's a support system. Through mentorship programs and accountability structures, young adults undergoing job training have a caring adult by their side. This support system ensures that they don't feel alone in their journey and provides a foundation for long-term success, reducing the likelihood of hopping from job to job.
What makes this initiative unique is its funding model. Branded merchandise serves as the financial engine for our social innovation. Instead of relying on traditional fundraising methods, we generate funds through our merchandise business. This approach has proven highly successful, allowing us to pinpoint and address the specific needs of individuals rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution to the entire foster care population.
This personalized approach is crucial because, unlike the conventional strategy of addressing the foster population as a whole, we recognize that each individual has unique needs. Many well-intentioned groups may have missed the mark by attempting to apply a singular solution to diverse circumstances. The outcomes haven't changed significantly because it's not about a one-size-fits-all fix. Young adults need personalized support based on their unique histories, trauma, and aspirations. Understanding their individual paths, identifying and addressing trauma, and helping them carve out their own definition of success—that's the essence of our approach.
Our guiding principle is that success looks different for everyone. Whether aspiring to be a nurse or a DJ, we acknowledge and respect the individuality of each young adult's journey. This perspective is the foundation of why and how we've arrived at our current impactful position today.
With a total of $943,796 worth of total investments, DGW has done an inspiring job bettering society. Broken down, $792,065 of that was committed to workforce development, $70,292 was committed to donating to organizations, $8494 to individual donations, and $72,384 spent on employee food and transportation. This is broad yet concrete evidence of DGW’s successful impact on their community.
Societally, some may say DGW acts as a beacon of hope and empowerment for those navigating life post-foster care. Through providing employment, mentorship, and essential life skills, they mitigate systemic injustices faced by this vulnerable group, offering a platform for stable and sustainable futures. Their unwavering dedication to offering coaching and mentorship, as evidenced by the 6,478 coaching hours provided and involvement of 36 young adults in coaching programs, showcases a beautiful commitment to long-term support rather than a simple short-term solution. This influences not just the lives of individuals directly involved but also creates a community and empowers others, specifically those effected by the foster system.
While DGW primarily focuses on creating a society impact, they still have a massive impact on the environment, as they take pride in intertwining environmental responsibility into their day to day operations. At DGW, they pride themselves on emphasizing the use of sustainable modes of transportation, further reducing the carbon footprint associated with commuting. As per their 2022 Impact Report, DGW generously spent $45,183 on transporting their employees to work through various eco-friendly methods such as Lyft, bicycles, or train and bus tickets. Additionally, their investment in the local community and Hurricane Ian relief efforts further highlights their dedication to environmental responsibility.
The short-term effects of DGW's work are impressively evident in the statistics provided in their Impact Report. Their annual Impact Reports show immediate outcomes such as job creation, financial investments, and support provided during natural disasters. It also shows other important statistics such as the one highlighting how they spent $27,201 on providing meals for their workforce development team. Although it may not seem like a big deal, it shows how much they care about the well-being of their employees. Feeding them provides their team with healthy well-balanced nutrition ensuring that everyone stays taken care of.
Yet, it is their long-term effects that are the most significant. These effects are shown in their sustained employment, where they not only created 38 new jobs for those impacted by foster care but harbored 28,614 hours of work for the foster care community, fostered personal growth, and maintained stability achieved by the former foster youth engaged with DGW Branded. As mentioned earlier, their coaching programs, mentorship initiatives, and expansion of their support beyond employment truly displays their commitment to nurturing lasting change and empowerment, which only furthers sustainable and enduring impacts on individuals and communities as a whole. These initiatives have helped kids spin off and get outside jobs. Cofounder Logan stated, “ The social side of things really started as a staffing agency, we were connecting kids with jobs through Disney, we were helping to give them opportunities through résumé, building courses, and ultimately the idea was we’ll be a staffing placement for those young adults that have been funded by promotion.”
DGW’s impact reaches far beyond the realm of business, making significant and inspiring strides in societal transformation while being true heroes of environmental responsibility. In the business landscape, their approach demonstrates a fundamental change in typical nonprofit behavior, showcasing how a nonprofit organization can operate sustainably while simultaneously creating tangible business value. By employing and empowering former foster youth, they fulfill an ethical responsibility as well as contributed to a skilled and dedicated workforce. Their emphasis on trauma-informed training and mentorship programs substantially enriches their team members. It is through this training and mentorship they can foster personal growth and harness the development of professional skills. Specifically, the kitting projects directly handled by their Do Good Team show a perfect demonstration of where social good combines with operational efficiency, creating a win-win scenario where business outcomes help the betterment of their society. Co-founder Logan states in the interview, “Young adults going through job training can have a mentorship program and have accountability and a caring adult to give them a support system so that way if there are any issues there’s a group of people that are here to help be there by their side. So they don’t have to feel like they’re going through life alone and they don’t have to feel like they’re gonna hop from job to job.” All of the programs and opportunities provide are funded by their branded merchandise sales instead of asking for fundraising dollars.
Doing Good Works focuses on an often forgotten part of our communities and that the children and young adults who are in or have experienced foster care. Through their nonprofit organization “Foster Greatness”, they provide education and career development programs to support those who need the added support systems for adulthood that they would have lacked while in foster care. This focus on education is key as without it, according to the organization, foster kids are at a greater disadvantage compared to their counterparts. With statistics such as “3% of foster kids earning a degree”, or “25% incarcerated over two years”, Foster Greatness aims to give those resources to foster kids to enable them the platform to make an impact on their lives and in turn, for their communities. Since its foundation in 2017, over 100 jobs have been provided as well as the pillars of support to keep and maintain employment such as free transportation to work, one-on-one mentoring and trauma-informed training. DGW is also very environmentally conscious and sustainable in all of their products in DGW swag. From preventing landfill waste and using sustainable and biodegradable materials to partnering with minority-owned businesses , these initiatives help DGW fulfill its environmental goals as well as contribute to the UN’s sustainability goals.
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Doing Good Works is a social enterprise founded in 2015 with the goal of re-imagining how a business can operate, and redefining what it means to achieve business success. DGW stands at the forefront of utilizing innovation to meet that goal, rewriting the narrative on how businesses engage with social change. Unlike conventional nonprofits, DGW merges commerce and compassion seamlessly, creating a unique model within the promotional products industry.