Doing Good Works

Doing Good Works: Extraordinary Results through Innovation

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Authors

Kelly Sullivan

Kelly Sullivan

Xuenqi Zhang

Xuenqi Zhang

Fableeha Leuna

Fableeha Leuna

Antonetta Toma

Antonetta Toma

School

St. John's University

St. John's University

Professor

Charles Wankel

Charles Wankel

Global Goals

4. Quality Education 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities 17. Partnerships for the Goals

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Summary

Doing Good Works is a certified B corporation that was established in 2015 by founders Scott Henderson and Jordan Bartlett. They initially started by providing equitable opportunities to those aging out of the foster care system. Originally their main goal was to help alleviate poverty which aligns with the First Sustainable Development Goal. Now, they are continuously promoting socio-economic empowerment. Through the establishment of strategic partnerships with a range of communities and organizations, they aim to generate positive outcomes and significantly contribute to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Innovation

Maintaining ethical business practices is a consistent commitment for Doing Good Works. They strive to give a future of dignity and promise, by providing people of all ages who have experienced the injustices of the foster care system with the necessary skills, employment prospects, and leadership qualities. After going through the foster system firsthand, Jordan Bartlett understood how difficult it was and continues to be so in 2023, they established their nonprofit called Foster Greatness and created its app to provide the necessary resources to help those who were in the foster care system. Doing Good works continuously promotes the achievement of the third Sustainable Development Goal by using this extensive program to stimulate systemic changes in society. They actively participate in the development of a more sustainable outside while simultaneously fostering a change internally.

Doing Good Works has come up with innovative ways to continue its mission-driven initiatives, such as creating environmentally friendly promotional products that reduce land waste and help protect the environment. They work in close partnerships with local communities and have missions such as planting one tree to create sustainable products for different companies. Doing Good Works offers companies an opportunity to embrace environmentally friendly practices without sacrificing their marketing goals. They achieve this by creating branded promotional products that follow sustainable methods and align with the 11th and 12th Sustainable Development Goals. Doing Good Works has a team of dedicated professionals, such as Ryan, the organization's director of Marketing for the past 4 years continuously helping the organization's core. Ryan began his journey in the warehouse department and was instantly inspired by the company’s core values and has since grown in his role into an important marketing position. They help deliver companies with sustainable products instead of delivering wasteful products such as keychains or squishy balls that people would throw out anyway. They reduce environmental waste and promote responsible consumption and production. The company upholds strict criteria and conducts intensive research when it comes to partnering with suppliers. They choose suppliers who share the same direct values as Doing Good Works. They work with suppliers such as Allmade and Tentree, that care about the environment and demonstrate moral sourcing and production methods. For example, Tentree plants 10 trees for every product bought. The organization ensures transparency and accountability throughout the entire production process by carefully examining where it comes from, how it is sourced, and other crucial questions. On average, Doing Good Works generates 10 million dollars in revenue annually and continues to be self-funded. All profits are reinvested back into the organization such as the Foster Greatness nonprofit section. They support all the employees by providing essential resources, and those who are aligned with their mission. When products are sold, they give out impact reports that show in detail how it has positively impacted the environment. This encourages clients to keep coming back knowing they are creating a huge impact socially and environmentally in the community.

They will continue to invest in their products because more companies are becoming aware of Doing Good Works. The companies naturally gravitate towards Doing Good Works because society is realizing that we need to be environmentally conscious. Their app called Foster Greatness gives scholarships and promotes healthy well-being. They will provide the necessary resources to help all genders of any age. The director of Marketing, Ryan explained “Doing Goods Works collaborated with brands such as Sephora that offered scholarships”. They have also partnered with Lifestraw to help people in the U.S. and Africa by providing clean water, which aligns with the 6th Sustainable Development Goal. Doing Good Works is constantly looking for ways to improve and give back to the community every single day.

Doing Good Works: Extraordinary Results through Innovation

Inspiration

When Doing Good Works started operations in 2015, the purpose of business should aim at more than creating profits, being able to reach out and provide aid in a way that looks to mitigate the great adversities that youths exiting the foster care system often subject themselves to, yet represent one of the most voiceless and marginalized populations. Central to the ethos was the ambition of Doing Good Works in building an alternative corporate paradigm, where success is not defined merely by the measure of the economy but by its far-reaching influence on human lives. Driven by this aim, the Founders were devoted to ensuring the children of these territories were left equipped with a panoply of important tools, talents, and views required for their empowerment. This was, undoubtedly, an undertaking representing much more than altruism; this was a broad attempt to provide these young individuals with the abilities that they would need to be able to cope with life's trials on their own.

The launch of DGW Branded, Healthy Humans, and Foster Greatness represented the inception of a new value-based, multi-dimensional approach to corporate responsibility, where the pursuance of profit and the promotion of social welfare are not mutually incompatible but interconnected aims. Each such subsidiary was supposed to, in many aspects, reflect and perpetuate the reflection of the company's original concept in the transformational character of deliberate activity, whatever tiny it may seem. As such, Doing Good Works would aim to have a multiplying impact on their efforts overall and would be able to show just how business can be a stimulant to achieve such widespread societal good.

Doing Good Works mixes business success with substantial social effects. It has redefined not merely the contours of economic success but carved out a new direction for firms in the future. The road it made now highlights the viability not of the business model but of adding values and ethical considerations in it to be able to reframe what has been necessary and understood as part of corporate success, to include bettering society at large.

Overall impact

Overall, the act of Doing Good Works in this way has far-reaching impacts, since it extends out far beyond the direct recipients and supports a wider cultural change toward more ethically and socially responsible activities. The focus on empowering the teenagers who age out of the system not only serves to alter the lives of the most vulnerable in society but also establishes precedence in focusing on the roles of businesses in reference to societal concerns. This strategy will provoke other corporations to rethink their duties within society and may also result in a new wave of corporate responsibility, where the due focus is given to long-term social benefit along with financial success. This is what the company's efforts in Doing Good Works contribute to the idea of a more inclusive economy, in which the success of firms is measured not only by profit more than by the good derived for different people and the environment and society on a larger scale, supporting the uptake of sustainable business models affecting industries around the globe.

Business benefit

Doing Good Works derives significant financial value from its commitment to social responsibility, as seen by its diverse range of programs primarily focused on supporting and assisting adolescents who have been removed from the foster care system. Hence, the implementation of Doing Good Works serves to enhance the brand identity of the organization, positioning it as an enterprise dedicated to fostering a positive social influence. By engaging in this practice, it appeals to a broader consumer base, specifically individuals who seek affiliation with enterprises that actively contribute to societal betterment. Consequently, this phenomenon enhances sales by fostering customer loyalty.

The company's social mission serves as an additional incentive and effective means of staff retention. The engagement and satisfaction of an average worker are likely to be higher when they are employed by a company that demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing diverse societal concerns. This implies that individuals experience a heightened sense of belonging, resulting in increased productivity and longer tenure within the business. This can be attributed to the alignment between their personal values of cleanliness and orderliness and those upheld by the organization. Consequently, this fosters a more stable and motivated workforce. Engaging in philanthropic endeavors also serves as a magnet for exceptional individuals, particularly among the younger cohorts who prioritize purposeful labor and ethical conduct within professional environments. The latter capacity to attract enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to create a positive impact will complement the former in establishing a competitive edge for the company by improving the caliber of the staff and fostering innovation. Given the distinct requirements of markets that specifically cater to former foster kids, it is possible that Doing Good Works can gain a competitive advantage by offering distinctive solutions.

Furthermore, organizations that are recognized for their positive social impact can easily access new markets and get opportunities for financial investment. Besides, they provide an opportunity to collaborate with non-profit organizations and government agencies by giving investments and grants that specifically serve the objective of carrying out corporate social responsibility. Essentially, Doing Good Works creates a bar not only for the corporation but also for social responsibility, ensuring their operational excellence in the long run and, at the same time, sustaining long-term sustainability in the competitive market. Doing Good Works takes the lead with this strategic integration of social good into its business strategy, securing a leadership place not just in the market but also as a pioneer of social innovation.


Social and environmental benefit

At the heart of DGW's mission lies a profound dedication to uplifting the most vulnerable members of our communities. With a primary focus on foster children, DGW channels its resources into providing essential support and opportunities for those in need. Through its two dedicated divisions, DGW Branded and Foster Greatness, the organization took initiatives aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals impacted by the foster care system. According to the Doing Good Report 2022 Edition, DGW's financial donations have nearly doubled over the past year alone, which is a testament to the organization's unwavering commitment to driving positive change. Moreover, DGW's swift response to crises, such as the support provided to those affected by Hurricane Ian in November 2022, highlights its agility and compassion in times of adversity. Furthermore, They created an app named Foster Greatness to give foster children and youth access to a wide array of essential resources and support services to facilitate their personal growth and well-being. From educational assistance and housing resources to mentorship programs and mental health support, the Foster Greatness app provides a holistic ecosystem of care tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

In addition to its impactful work in the community, DGW recognizes its employees as vital partners in their mission and prioritizes their well-being and satisfaction. Central to this commitment is DGW's unique approach to employee benefits, including an unlimited PTO policy that empowers team members to achieve a healthy work-life balance. By offering such flexibility, DGW acknowledges the diverse needs and priorities of its workforce.

DGW prioritizes environmental responsibility by integrating sustainable practices into its product offerings and promotional items. By utilizing eco-friendly materials and minimizing waste, DGW contributes to broader sustainability efforts and aligns with the UN's environmental goals. Additionally, the company's commitment to partnering with minority-owned businesses further underscores its dedication to social and environmental stewardship.

Interview

Ryan Henderson, Director of Marketing

Business information

Doing Good Works

Doing Good Works

Irvine, CA, US
Business Website: https://www.doinggoodworks.com
Year Founded: 2015
Number of Employees: 51 to 200
Founded in 2015, Doing Good Works reimagined and redesigned business operations. Its founders recognized the struggles of children in foster care and worked to provide tools and skills for those children to grow and prosper.