The American Friends of Jamaica, Inc. (AFJ) presented some $102 million JMD to reputable charities in Jamaica, with the support of donors in the United States.
In February this year, the annual AFJ grant cycle closed with 81 discretionary grant application submissions.
Subsequently, following a rigorous evaluation process by the AFJ Grants Committee, 47 grant applications were approved to be awarded during the Grant Ceremony on May 7, 2024. Grant awards were presented at this official ceremony hosted by The Honorable N. Nick Perry, U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica at the United States Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica.
Combined with Donor Advised Grants, a total of 47 grants were presented.
The full list of grants to be presented during the ceremony are: A New Jamaica of Peace, Alpha School of Music, Bethel Baptist Church, BREDS – Treasure Beach Foundation, Busy Bee Educational Enrichment, Inc., Child Resiliency Program, VPA, Christel House Jamaica, Church Teachers College, Cornwall Regional Hospital/WRHA, Creative Language-Based Learning (CLBL), Fight for Peace International, Friends of Hopewell, Half Way Tree Primary School, Institute of Jamaica, Jamaica Conservation & Development Trust, Jamaica Musical Theatre Company, Journey 2 Free, Lara Otunla Counseling Center, Lupus Foundation of Jamaica, Mission of Sight, Musson Foundation, National Education Trust- Level Up, National STEM Centre, Project STAR, Rose Town Foundation, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sagicor Foundation, Seprod Foundation, Southern Basketball Conference, St. Mary’s Preparatory School, St. Patrick’s Foundation/Riverton Meadows, Stand Up for Jamaica, STEM Boost Program, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Trench Town Primary, UWI – Amb. Sue M. Cobb Scholarship, UWI – Amb. J. Gary Cooper Scholarship, UWI – Amb. Glen Holden Scholarship, UWI Kathleen Newman Scholarship, UWI – Kevin Akindele Wright Scholarship, UWI – Klotz Family Scholarship, UWI – Margaret “Peggy” Steuart Scholarship, UWI – Ralph & Ricky Lauren Scholarship, UWI – Sydney A Phillips Scholarship, Violence Prevention Alliance, VM Foundation Limited, Youth Nutrition Program.
“The AFJ believes in reducing education inequity, investing in skills-building opportunities, and improving patient care. This year’s grants are an inclusive representation of our mission to impact Education, Healthcare, and Economic Development in Jamaica,” stated Caron Chung, Executive Director.
Reverend Canon Sirrano Kitson offered solemn commemorative tributes to recently deceased AFJ President Emeritus Ambassador Glen Holden and AFJ Director Emeritus Ambassador Gary Cooper.
Jamaica’s Minister of Education, Fayval Williams delivered remarks following an inspiring introduction by Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kasan Troupe.
The AFJ’s grantmaking cycle begins in November, grantees are selected once per year.
The AFJ is able to award grants from proceeds raised from annual fundraisers in New York and Miami, private foundations, corporate partnerships, donor-direct contributions, and the AFJ online giving platform.
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