fiNDING
A BETTER
WAY TOGETHER
At Jollybrowne, we’re relentlessly curious about improvement. Not just for ourselves, but also for the communities we are a part of. Mostly our conversations end with a shoulder shrug before returning to the daily grind with little change.
Our a-ha moment came when we noticed how much we were paying in fees for processing credit card payments. Sure it’s the cost of doing business, but does it have to be. Couldn’t we with a bit of trust and patience not inconvenience our clients if we asked them to pay us by means other than credit card. Then we could use the money saved for something more useful and consequential.
So that’s our not so big idea. We’ll give the credit card processing fees saved to a remarkable organization doing great work. Our goal is to redirect these fees paid to banks for a not-so-necessary convenience to organizations that are in need of resources so they can make a difference in our communities. Please join us in this mission, and find your ‘not so big idea’ to do good. Every dollar has impact, even the token contributions from a small company like ours.
BTW, the total dollar volume in credit card transactions in the United States is nearly four trillion dollars (TRILLION!). That’s a lot in processing fees.
PROJECT 2023
“This story resonated with me. As a father of a daughter, it pisses me off such oppression still exists. I’m awed by the courage of Shabana and her students. Look into their eyes. You see hope despite what they’ve witnessed and experienced. This is the world I want for my daughter. A place with brave, kind, curious, hopeful people who don’t shirk from problems. However it hits home beyond the obvious because Shabana has created an organizational culture that manifests in those girls. They’re motivated by her care. They reflect the organization’s care. They’re committed to carrying the torch and passing it on because they believe their individual and collective successes are intertwined and needed for a higher purpose. When used for good, such belief leads to ideas and innovation that solve big problems.”
This is the 60 Minutes story on SOLA: Daring to educate Afghanistan’s girls that moved Trideep. A poignant stat from SOLA’s website: in 2021 there were 1.1 million girls in secondary school. Today in 2023, there are zero. We all know the mind is a powerful thing. Forever, those who want to project influence, maintain control and cash in have done so by restricting access to eduction and information — necessary ingredients to stimulate free-thought, healthy debate, and finding solutions that help all. Whether its geo-politics, socio-economics or business competition, a better educated constituent benefits those want to add value.
“The most effective antidote to extremism is to create the best-educated generation in Afghanistan’s history. Our girls today – the women of tomorrow – will make that happen.”
At Jollybrowne, we can learn much from SOLA that can help us meet the business challenges of today. A singular focus to our mission shouldn’t limit a universal approach to the care and well-being of our stakeholders. Mind over muscle, but when coupled with determination, can accomplish great things that add value. A commitment to something bigger no matter how challenging it may seem today. One step at a time, we can all accomplish remarkable things like the girls of SOLA for the betterment of Afghanistan and for the world. #project2023 #girlpower #addvalue #jollydogood.
mission ONGOING
THE CAUSE
SOLA | School Of Leadership Afghanistan
OUR GOAL
$5,000
THE RESULTS
We’ll post an update here when we fulfill our commitment.
PROJECT 2022
Simple creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development. Learning to create and appreciate visual aesthetics may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children as they grow up. According to a report by Americans for the Arts, art education strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The experience of making decisions and choices in the course of creating art carries over into other parts of life.
Citing an article from pbs.org, when kids are encouraged to express themselves and take risks in creating art, they develop a sense of innovation that will be important in their adult lives. “The kind of people society needs to make it move forward are thinking, inventive people who seek new ways and improvements, not people who can only follow directions,” says MaryAnn Kohl, an arts educator and author. “Art is a way to encourage the process and the experience of thinking and making things better!”
These are words we’ve internalized at Jollybrowne. Art has a profound affect — personal and professional, on each of us. It has taught us nuance, subjectivity, empathy and expression. Above all else, it has given us the creative thinking needed to traverse these uncharted times. In art, we find the hope that gives us confidence for a better tomorrow.
We believe art education and opportunities for children to create are critical to our success. So we were thrilled to come across SkyART. Their mission — ‘With creativity at the center of everything we do, SkyART provides free, safe, open spaces where people are empowered and connections are made’ aligns with our belief that through art we can inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders who will take up tomorrow’s challenges.
For 2022, we’re pledging the receipts from #jollydogood to support SkyART get children and young adults excited and engaged through creative activities that help them ideate, express and dream about a world that can be. Because today, we need more big dreamers! #project2022 #creativethinking #dreambig #jollydogood.
mission ONGOING
THE CAUSE
SkyART
OUR GOAL
$1000
THE RESULTS
To Be Determined. We’ll post an update here when we fulfill our commitment.
PROJECT 2020 - 2021
What happens in the early years of a child’s life is essential for long term effects on health, language and communication, cognitive and social development. Statistics from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows that America ranks 29th out of 36 countries regarding its share of 4-year-olds enrolled in early childhood education programs. That’s something we must all care about if we wish to retain our place on the world stage.
Early intervention with high-quality services can change a child’s developmental trajectory and when children who have developmental disabilities—or are at risk for them—receive early intervention it results in later success in school, work, and the community. Such things may seem larger than us but sometimes the simplest things we take for granted can be so helpful for children with needs. An incredibly important environment for early childhood development is the outdoors. Going out and playing! Not only does outdoor play lead to healthier, more active children, it also helps them build key social, creative and problem-solving skills. Whilst it may be more difficult for children with special needs to involve themselves in outdoor play, they are no less benefactors of its many benefits.
In our local community at an early childhood school down the street from our office, they’ve built an outdoor classroom where teachers can hold class outside in the sun and fresh air. The children dig, explore and create. They learn in a joyful surrounding. They build a foundation that will help them navigate the world outside the walls that confine them so often. They are free. At Jollybrowne, we value expression and think supporting children being creative is a darn good idea..
We’ll continue to ask our clients to pay us by check, wire, or cash. For those who do, we’ll donate the savings in credit card processing fees to the John G. Conyers Learning Academy outdoor classroom so they can get the essential gear — things like boots, coats, gloves and caps, that students need to get outdoors and play year round. Sounds delightful, and essential today! #project2020 #localcitizen #getoutandplay #jollydogood.
MISSION COMPLETE
THE CAUSE
John G. Conyers Learning Academy
OUR GOAL
$1000
THE RESULTS
$1225 given this year
$3,067 given in total through #jollydogood
This was a challenging period for all of us, but it especially impacted our teachers and kids. Though the bank fees saved were due to abnormal business, we received so much support from our community that we’re keeping our commitment to the outdoor classroom project at John G. Conyers Learning Academy. When classes resume in person in August 2021, getting out to play will be better than ever.
PROJECT 2019
Home. A place familiar to all. In every culture, in every language, it’s our safe place to shelter, nurture and rejuvenate. Even the most adventurous of us is fond of coming back home. After all, it is where the heart is.
However for so many in our world, this basic human dignity has been ripped away from them. An unprecedented 82.4 million people around the world have been forced from home as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order. Among them are nearly 25.4 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. One if every 95 people on earth has fled their home. There are also millions of stateless people, who have been denied a nationality and lack of access to basic human rights such as education, health care, employment and freedom of movement.
To not have a home is beyond the limits of thought for most of us. So what to do? Find a different way to conduct business where we can continue to provide value to our clients while also supporting our communities. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is on the ground to help and protect refugees and people displaced by violence, conflict and persecution. It provides lifesaving essentials including shelter, water, food, safety and protection while striving to ensure everyone has the right to seek asylum and fine safe refuge with the option to eventually return home, integrate or resettle.
After fleeing war or persecution, the opportunity to work and earn money is one of the most effective ways people can rebuild their lives and live in dignity. Without a proper home, it is very difficult or impossible for displaced families to find paid work. It is hard for children to concentrate on their schoolwork and homework. A good home provides protection. Children are less at risk of violence and sexual abuse. They are less likely to be forced into child labour, married off at a young age or forcibly recruited by armed groups. Without a proper home, it is difficult for people to access health care and other public services. A home ensures that displaced people have better access to humanitarian aid. Even the most basic shelter and settlements assistance can contribute to a sense of normalcy for conflict- and disaster-affected communities.
Having a home increases the opportunity for displaced families to establish strong social, economic and cultural ties with their host community. When people are included and integrated into the local community, they are more able to rebuild their lives and live in a dignified way. Let’s have some heart and make sure everyone has a home! #project2019 #globalcitizen #homeforall #jollydogood.
MISSION COMPLETE
THE CAUSE
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
OUR GOAL
$800
THE RESULTS
$1,842 given this year
$1,842 given in total through #jollydogood
The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has displaced an additional quarter of a million inside the country. Our small team at Jollybrowne is adding an extra $1,000 beyond the bank fees we saved.