AFJ seeks more help in championing local causes
Published:Friday | May 5, 2023 | 1:52 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter
The fact that the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) could only give 23 discretionary grants for the 2023-2024 period, turning down more than half of the more than 50 local charities which applied, continues to weigh on the mind of Dr Laura Tanna.
Speaking at the AFJ Grants Ceremony on Tuesday, Tanna, who is the AFJ’s grants chair, expressed her hurt and pleaded for more persons, especially those in the diaspora, to donate online to the AFJ.
She said that the grants are all paid out of money raised from the organisation’s fundraising activities, such as its annual gala.
In 2022-2023, the AFJ distributed US$630,979.84 to 64 grantees, while this year’s disbursement will be US$593,500.27. The number of grant disbursements has also increased by three with an overall figure of 67 grants disbursed.
“We just lack the money!” said Tanna.
“[For] the amount of money at J$154.00 for the exchange rate [per US dollar], we’ve given out J$91,399,041.58. In Jamaican money, that’s a lot, but we need so much more to give, because these applications were very much important, and I’m just so sorry that we couldn’t have done more,” she told The Gleaner after the ceremony.
She is encouraging individuals and organisations, especially those in the diaspora, to visit the AFJ’s website, www.theafj.org, and choose a cause.
“Various Jamaican organisations need funding and you can make a donation and every dollar counts,” she said.
Before the 67 grants were handed over, United States Ambassador Nick Perry said it was an occasion worth celebrating.
“Since its inception, more than four decades ago, the American Friends of Jamaica has been a key organisation involved in philanthropic efforts, promoting educational health and social services to persons across Jamaica ... . The impressive list of grantees includes organisations working in the fields of education, development, conservation, health, the arts and more. Many of these organisations are also ones that are supportive by Embassy Kingston here,” Perry said.
For her part, Jamaica’s education minister, Fayval Williams, said she was pleased that 60 per cent of the grants will assist causes in education.
“We are delighted, extremely delighted. All of us know that education is the base. Education is the foundation. That is what we’re looking to to help this country grow and to prosper, and we know that we will get there,” Williams said.
“This is a proud moment for all of us as we witness the impact that the American Friends of Jamaica’s philanthropic efforts have on the Jamaican community. Giving back to the people of Jamaica through philanthropy is important because it can help improve their quality of life, support education and healthcare initiatives, promote economic growth and stability, and foster a sense of community and connection,” she said.
Williams also said she is confident that the organisations benefiting will use the funds to help their communities.
The list of grantees for 2023 include: A New Jamaica of Peace Foundation, Bethel Baptist Church, Bloom Early Childhood Centre of Excellence, Bob and Rita Marley Foundation, Breds – Treasure Beach Foundation, Bull Savannah Primary School, Busy Bee Educational Enrichment, CB Facey Foundation, Chain of Hope, Christel House, Church Teachers’ College, Creative Language-Based Learning, Eye Health Institute, Friends of Hopewell, Hope Zoo, INMED Caribbean, Institute of Jamaica, Issa Trust Foundation, Jamaica Cancer Society, Jamaica Conservation Partners, Jamaica Environment Trust, Jamaica Musical Theatre Company, Jamaica Trail Project, Jamaica Advantage Thru Sports for Youth, Journey 2 Free, Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kingston Creative, Lasco Chin Foundation, Mission of Sight, Mussons Foundation, Mustard Seed Communities, National Education Trust, ODEM Foundation, Pocket Rocket Foundation, Portland Arts and Vocational Education Centre, Project STAR, RISE Life Management Services, Rose Town Foundation, Songs for Sound, Southern Basketball Conference, Ambassador Glen Holden Scholarship, Ambassador J Gary Cooper Scholarship, Sue M Cobb Scholarship, Kathleen Newman Scholarship, Kevin Akindele Wright Scholarship, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Steuart Scholarship Fund, Ralph & Ricky Lauren Family Foundation Scholarship, Sydney A Phillips Scholarship, Violence Prevention Alliance, Waffle and Red Earth Collective, We Care 4 Cornwall Regional Hospital, Wolmer’s Safe Shelter Programme for Girls Fund, Wolmer’s Rebuilding Fund and Women Centre of Jamaica Foundation.