Sixty-five organizations working to improve the lives of Jamaicans have received grants totaling J$208 million (US$1.3 million) from the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ).
The beneficiaries — including registered charities, non-profit organizations, community groups, hospitals, and schools — will use the funding to support initiatives in education, healthcare, disaster recovery, economic development, and community resilience across Jamaica.
Floyd Green welcomed the support, noting that it comes just weeks after the organization distributed cash vouchers to small farmers affected by Hurricane Melissa. He added that AFJ is also assisting with roofing and shelter reconstruction efforts in impacted parishes.
“Just the other day, we were gathered to distribute $80 million… benefiting 1,600 farmers in our hardest-hit parishes and we would have heard from some of our poultry farmers how much it means to them and how much your support is helping them build back stronger,” Green said.
The minister, who spoke at the grant awards ceremony on April 14 at the United States Embassy in Kingston, emphasized the importance of the organizations receiving funding.
“[They] are at the heart of what makes Jamaica work,” he said, describing AFJ as “an excellent partner.”
“The fact is, you have been a partner that has stood up in the good times and in the bad times, and it could have been very easy for you to say that with the hurricane and the recovery efforts, that that is the focus [and not the grant efforts] but I think you understand how important this grant programme is,” Green added.
Scott Renner also praised the organization’s continued commitment to community development.
“I am particularly impressed by the more than US$10 million raised in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, supporting homeowners, schools, clinics and farmers,” Renner said, noting that AFJ “has stood tall among the many American partners who stepped forward to help communities recover.”
Caron Chung said the organization remains committed to supporting Jamaicans through its annual grant program.
“Today, we are celebrating a long-standing commitment towards a strategic annual granting programme. Importantly, the funding behind these grants is made possible in large parts through the generosity of our donors and the success of our annual galas in New York and Miami. Those are our cornerstones that fuel our grants year after year,” Chung said.
She noted that this year’s grantees represent a broad cross-section of organizations working in education, healthcare, and economic development.
Wendy Hart also commended the recipients for their role in strengthening communities across the island.
“[That] is why we are here in this room. We have been here for over 40 years. Every day is focused on building the role of philanthropy, of supporting the work of our partners and improving the lives of Jamaicans and the communities they live in,” Hart said.
Founded more than four decades ago, the American Friends of Jamaica continues to play a significant role in supporting community-based organizations and strengthening development initiatives across Jamaica.
