While visiting India in 2005 as a student on the Semester at Sea study abroad program, Braun met a young child who shared his wish for a pencil.
Pencils of Promise focuses on building strong structures and sustainable education programs by forming long-lasting, collaborative relationships with communities.
The charity also supports projects through ongoing teacher training, progression scholarships and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programming.
The charity is supported by a number of celebrities and most prominently by Scooter Braun, a well-known entertainment manager, and elder brother of the founder.
The current board leadership includes investor Gary Vaynerchuk, journalist Michael Weiss and scholar Meighan Stone.