JOANN Partners with Girl Scouts of the USA to Ignite Innovation and Positive Change
Multi-million-dollar partnership supports female leadership through Girl Scout Rewards program, donations, and special events
NEW YORK, NY (September 5, 2017)— JOANN Stores is teaming up with Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) to encourage Girl Scouts, volunteers, and families to explore their individual creativity while having a positive influence on the world. With its new Girl Scout Rewards program, the nation’s leading craft and fabric retailer is offering 15 percent off all eligible purchases for Girl Scouts’ more than 2.6 million members, allowing troops to create, grow, and learn even more, with an additional 2.5 percent of each purchase going back to GSUSA. Through the multi-million-dollar partnership, JOANN will also offer in-kind education, recruitment support, and in-store events across the U.S.
“As a Girl Scout alumna, I can personally attest to the impact this organization has on young women everywhere,” said Jill Soltau, President and CEO of JOANN. “We aim to inspire the creativity in all of us and to bring new ideas to life through people’s hands, hearts, and minds. Girl Scouts shares our passion for bringing imagination to action, and has been empowering its members to create positive change for more than 100 years. Through JOANN’s Girls Scout Rewards program, we’ll be able to help members of the Girl Scout Movement take their creative activities even further, and help make a lasting impact on the world. Our partnership is a terrific match, and we look forward to supporting this mission together.”
In addition to enabling troops to explore more creative opportunities, JOANN guarantees that a minimum of $1.5 million from the Girl Scout Rewards program will go back to GSUSA over the next three years, demonstrating its deep commitment to girls’ leadership development. These funds will support GSUSA’s mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. GSUSA offers girls the opportunity to develop leadership skills through programming focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); the outdoors; life skills; and entrepreneurship. Through fun, educational activities and special events held at its stores throughout the year, JOANN will also help girls learn new skills and give back to their communities.
“We are truly excited to partner with JOANN, with the goal of our collaboration to inspire members of our Movement to channel their creativity as a force for positive change within their communities,” said GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. “Data shows that our girls are innate makers, and Girl Scouts designs experiences that allow them to embrace their sense of ingenuity―a passion JOANN shares as well. Girl Scouts offers a creative atmosphere where girls can develop important leadership skills within a supportive, all-girl environment. I encourage everyone to join in the festivities on September 23 at JOANN’s Girl Scout Day to learn more about our organization and all the fantastic new programming we have added in the fundamental areas of STEM and the outdoors.”
New and current Girl Scout members can learn more about what JOANN is doing to support Girl Scouts and be verified for a Rewards card at joann.com/girlscouts or via the JOANN app, using their troop number, council name, or Girl Scout membership ID. Staff members from GSUSA and Girl Scout councils are also eligible to join JOANN’s Girl Scout Rewards and can begin saving immediately in anticipation of fall back-to-troop season.
The collaboration will kick off its first national in-store event with JOANN’s Girl Scout Day on Saturday, September 23. During this event, Girl Scouts and their families are invited to connect with their local JOANN store managers to enjoy special promotions, activities, and refreshments. Those not affiliated with Girls Scouts who are interested in the organization can learn more about local troops and how to join, while Girl Scout members can register for their reward cards and begin saving immediately.
“Few organizations have such breadth and lasting impact,” Soltau added. “We couldn’t be more proud to enter into this partnership with GSUSA, and to continue fostering innovation and growth among future generations of female leaders.”
###
About JOANN
For nearly 75 years, JOANN has inspired creativity in the hearts, hands, and minds of its customers. From a single storefront in Cleveland, Ohio, the nation’s leading fabric and craft retailer has grown to include more than 865 stores across 49 states and an industry-leading e-commerce business. With the goal of helping every customer find their creative Happy Place, JOANN serves as a convenient single stop for all of the supplies, guidance, and inspiration needed to achieve any project or passion. For store locations, project ideas, and a full product offering, visit joann.com.
We're Girl Scouts of the USA
We're 2.6 million strong—1.8 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world. Our extraordinary journey began more than 100 years ago with the original G.I.R.L., Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low. On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, she organized the very first Girl Scout troop, and every year since, we’ve honored her vision and legacy, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscouts.org.
