Global Grins, Inc. “DELIVERING TOOTHBRUSHES AND SMILES WORLDWIDE”
Global Grins, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation organized to distribute toothbrushes, oral hygiene information and other oral care materials to as many impoverished persons around the world as possible, who may not otherwise have access to toothbrushes. They do this charitable work to improve the health of thousands of people around the globe, as many life threatening conditions including heart disease, stroke, pre-term babies and many other serious health problems are caused by poor oral hygiene.
During the spring of 2011, Global Grins, Inc. received a shipment of over 17,000 toothbrushes, and continues to ship dental hygiene supplies to various orphanages, clinics, schools, hospitals and shelters around the world. The organization ships directly to these organizations in need as well as to sending
toothbrushes with local individuals who are planning trips to developing nations. These travelers are taking boxes of 144 Global Grins toothbrushes (smaller than a shoebox, weighing 1.5 pounds) with them so they may make an in person delivery to a local facility once they arrive. This has been a very popular idea with individuals as well as travel companies.
Starting Successes Include:
Nearing (and probably quickly exceeding) $10,000 in donations!
Delivering over 15,000 toothbrushes to those in need.
Creating exciting new partnerships with several large tour companies, university programs, and other 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
Notable Board Members:
The Board of Directors of Global Grins, Inc. includes Hugh McCutcheon, 2008 Olympic gold medal winning head coach of the USA men’s volleyball team, Les McCabe, president of the Institute for Shipboard Education and Semester at Sea, the world’s foremost global study abroad program, and Leason F. Pomeroy, III, FAIA, renown architect and designer of Orange County’s John Wayne Airport.
Speaking with Joselyn Miller, President about recent challenges she said:
“Our biggest challenge was getting our website up and running. We wanted to control all the content, which we update frequently, and keep the cost down, so I taught myself how to design a website and put it all together in a couple of weeks. Our biggest need is money. (surprise!) The dollars we raise directly correlate to the number of toothbrushes we can supply to those in need.”
Her advice to others beginning to start their own nonprofits:
“Seek the advice of many people who are in a related field, and get your name out to as many potential donors as possible as soon as you are ready to share your website and materials. Generating interest and excitement with a large number of people who feed off that shared enthusiasm creates elevated interest and more donations.
