KINGSTON, JAMAICA - The American Friends of Jamaica announced that it is providing grants totaling US$ 566,765.45 (J$ 37.0 million) to 16 local charities. The presentations will be made on Friday April 28, 2006 at a luncheon at the Kingston residence of United States Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson.

The gathering will include AFJ donors, Jamaican businesspersons, diplomats and AFJ grantee representatives. Ambassador Johnson is pleased to support this year’s event, “The work of the AFJ is extremely important for encouraging private sector philanthropy in Jamaica”, said Amb. Johnson, “The AFJ have clearly shown the enormous potential of public-private partnerships to assist in development”.

The American Friends of Jamaica this year celebrates 25 years of supporting Jamaican charities. Amb. Glen Holden, AFJ’s President for over 11 years added, “Our contributions have made a difference in the sustainability of many organizations and their success in serving the Jamaican people stresses the importance of our work” With the increasing importance of philanthropy and the active engagement of civil society for the social sector, the grants distributed this year will reach a diverse group of organizations across the education, healthcare and economic development sectors. Projects range from patient assistance, medical equipment, literacy programs, and skills development to assisting victims of domestic violence.

Amongst the grantees, The University of the West Indies will receive student bursaries made possible by Ralph Lauren, Amb. Glen Holden, Amb. Sue Cobb and Amb. J. Gary Cooper. St. Monica’s Home and St. Patrick’s Foundation will receive a grant for poverty alleviation through skills training, remedial work, and socialization skills as well as caring for residents including lepers, abandoned elderly and HIV victims.

Keisha Phipps, AFJ’s Executive Director adds, “We are grateful for the generosity of our many donors. They have allowed us to strengthen our impact. We are extremely proud of the results we have seen in the communities we serve.” The American Friends of Jamaica’s grantmaking cycle begins in November and grantees are selected once a year.

This year marks the introduction of the “AFJ Diaspora Giving Program” with a US$5,000 pledge from Jamaican Karen Johns for the community of Kensington in Portland. The Diaspora Giving Program allows persons to fundraise through their network of friends and family and channel those funds to Jamaican organizations on their behalf.

Other organizations receiving financial grants in Education - Friends of Hopewell School, Hanover Charities, Ministry of Education of Jamaica, Seaward Primary and Junior High School, and the University of the West Indies. In Healthcare - Foundation for International Self-Help (FISH), MoBay Hope Medical Center and Mona Rehabilitation Foundation. In Human and Economic Development - Jamaica Society for the Blind, Montego Bay Marine Park, Project Help Jamaica, St. Patrick’s Foundation, Taking Responsibility, The Jamaican Economy Since Independence, and The Home of Charlotte’s Children Foundation.

About The American Friends of Jamaica
Since its’ inception in 1981, the American Friends of Jamaica has raised over US$10 million for Jamaica non-profits focused in the areas of education, healthcare and economic development. The AFJ has a comprehensive strategy of fundraising through special events – Annual New York and South Florida galas, individual giving, and partnerships with corporations and foundations such as the Tiger Woods Foundation, Jockey International, GraceKennedy Limited and Western Union International.