Still millions away from the $40-million target, the Jamaica Social Stock Exchange (JSSE) has extended the time for giving in its annual telethon.

This year’s fund-raising efforts, which is to add another $7 million to that sought in 2022, is seeking to continue the work, reach, and impact of three projects listed on the JSSE. They include Choose Life’s Shalom project centred on mental health and wellness; the Stop the Violence project led by faith-based organisation Spring Praise Jamaica Foundation, which is operated by Dr Donald Rhodd; and the Jamaica Music Institute (JaMIN) music entrepreneurship project sited in Trench Town, St Andrew.

Individually and collectively the three projects address a wide range of social issues with an aim to empower individuals across communities as it brings positive change to society.

“Similar to what we had done last year, we will be pushing the deadline up to the end of January so investors will have the opportunity to donate to the projects,” group business development manager of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Andre Gooden told the Jamaica Observer in an update on Wednesday.

The telethon, which began on December 15 and was to run over a three-day period, is to, therefore, run up to the end of next month, allowing more time for further investments to be made to the projects. Donations are being sought from members of the diaspora as well as locals and corporate entities.

Still unclear about how much has been collected so far, Gooden said that while it remains below the intended target every effort is being made to rake in the desired amount.

“We’re now doing the reconciliations so I can’t say right now, but I know we’re not there yet. We still have donations coming in on the online platform, a number of which are from both private and public entities locally,” he said.

Making another appeal and extending the invitation for others to come on board and to invest in the projects, Gooden underscored the importance of contributing to the initiative.

“The telethon is still open and the opportunity to continue support for Jamaica’s development remains ongoing; therefore, any entity or person interested in contributing to the building of the social fabric of our nation is free to donate as the platform will also be available all year round,” he stated.

The JSSE, launched back in 2019, functions as a social capital market established to assist social sector organisations (SSOs) to attract long-term funding in order to make their projects sustainable. The entity in working with “socially responsible investors” to mobilise their efforts around contributing to and improving the quality of life in Jamaica.

JSSE board member and university lecturer Dr K’adamawe K’nife speaking to the value of investing in the social sector during the opening of the telethon last week said that some key national and global goals will not be realised if there isn’t a robust ecosystem for the social services sector.

“Through efforts like the Yuletide Telethon we are laying the pathway for great social change that will even surpass the targets of Vision 2030 and the Social Development Goals (SDGS),” he said.