KINGSTON, Jamaica— The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) on Saturday raised more than $100 million (US$650,000) to assist charitable organisations and social initiatives in Jamaica.

The money was donated during the organisation’s charity gala held in Miami and will be distributed to support philanthropic projects that uplift people and communities across the island.

AFJ executive director Caron Chung told the Observer on Wednesday that the AFJ holds two major fundraisers in the US annually to support Jamaican organisations in need of financial assistance.

“One is held in Miami in April or May, and the other in New York, usually in October. Proceeds from both those galas are combined to fund our discretionary grants programme. In November, we put out an announcement inviting applicants to submit their applications for grants through AFJ” Chung said.

“We hold the gala and we recognise esteemed honorees who have contributed to nation building. Saturday night we honored Lee Issa, the chairman of Couples Resort and Paul Issa, the chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation.

“This past year we got 79 grant applications. The [application] cycle starts in November and the deadline is February each year. So, between February and April when we come to Jamaica to present the grants there is an AFJ grants committee that goes through all the applications,” added Chung.

She pointed out that applicants are selected once they meet the criteria provided on the organisation’s website.

“We have a very stringent process. We announce it on social media, on the radio, and on the television. On our website afj.org the application is found there and the list of criteria. Entities have to be registered charities in Jamaica and have to have a board of directors with someone accountable for finance” said the AFJ executive director.

Chung highlighted that through its grant programme, AFJ impacts early childhood education, healthcare and social development programmes.

“We all come together and we contribute to the nation building of this country. We all have to come together to help move this country forward. The onus is not only on Government and private sector. The Government, private sector philanthropists, we all have a role to play in this and the AFJ has been contributing significantly over the years to programmes in Jamaica,” said Chung.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness was keynote speaker at the gala. He was accompanied to event by Government ministers, senators Audrey Marks and Delano Seiveright.

Mayor of Miami Dade, Daniella Levine Cava was among a host notable attendees at the gala.

The AFJ was founded in 1982 by a group of Americans and Jamaicans. It is a not for profit organisation and has since raised approximately US$20 million to support charitable initiatives in Jamaica.

On Tuesday the AFJ awarded grants totalling US$740,000 to 54 grantees by American Friends to support several initiatives in the island.

They included education, music, sports, homeless, health, skills training, gender-based violence, arts, coding, veterinary care, environmental protection, school-feeding and peace-building programmes, among others.

Grant certificates were presented to the grantees at the AFJ’s awards ceremony, held at the United States Embassy in Kingston.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, who spoke at the ceremony, hailed the AFJ for its legacy of generosity and heart for service.

“For over four decades, the American Friends of Jamaica have remained a pillar of support for our country. Their legacy is etched into the walls of our hospitals, the classrooms of our schools and the hearts of our people. Whether responding to hurricanes, expanding educational opportunities or modernising public health infrastructure, the AFJ has consistently shown up for us,” she said.

Dr Morris Dixon underscored that the Government is committed to accelerating transformation, but cannot walk the journey alone.

“We need partners like the AFJ who understand that sustainable development and transformation in education are built on trust, collaboration and long-term investment,” she said.

Minister of state in the Ministry of Tourism Senator Delano Seiveright, shares lense time with Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Daniella Levine Cava at the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) annual charity gala in Miami on Saturday. (Contributed Photo).

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon (front row, sixth left), shares a photo opportunity with American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) executives, participants and grantees, during the AFJ’s Grant Awards Ceremony, held at the United States Embassy in Kingston, on Tuesday. Pictured in front row are (from left) AFJ Executive Director Caron Chung; Charge d’Affaires, Amy Tachco; AFJ President, Wendy Hart; Permanent Secretary in the education ministry, Dr Kasan Troupe; AFJ Director, Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater (ret.), and AFJ Director, Monica Ladd. (Contributed Photo).