The American Friends of Jamaica, Inc. (AFJ) strives to positively impact lives through supporting reputable charities while stewarding donations from our supporters in the United States of America to Jamaica.

In March of this year, following a rigorous evaluation process, the AFJ Grants Committee selected 25 discretionary grants. Combined with Donor Advised Grants, a total of 54 grants were presented at a Grant Award Ceremony on April 8, 2025. Chargé d’Affaires Amy Tachco delivered opening remarks, Jade Honey Thomas, student at the University of the West Indies, delivered a vote of thanks, and there was a performance by AFJ grantee Alpha School of Music.

The full list of grants presented during the ceremony were Alpha School of Music, Bethel Baptist Church, Bob Marley Foundation (Football is Freedom – Nutrition), Busy Bee Educational Enrichment, Inc., C.B. Facey Foundation, Campbell’s Castle Primary & Infant School, Christel House Jamaica, Creative Language-Based Learning Foundation, Cornwall Regional Hospital, Edna Manley School of Visual Arts, Eve for Life, Friends of Hopewell, Herbert Morrison Technical School, Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation, Institute of Jamaica, Jamaica Environment Trust, Jamaica Musical Theatre Company, Joining Hands in Unison, Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kingston Creative, Lasco Chin Entrepreneurship, Mary Issa Pediatric Health Centre, Ministry of Education STEM Pilot Project, Mission of Sight, Misty Blue Cancer Care Center Limited, Peace and Love in Schools (PALS), Portland Arts and Vocational Training Education (PAVE) Centre, Professional Development of Primary School Teachers (PDPST) UWI Mona, Project STAR, RISE Life Management Services, Rose Town Foundation, Sagicor Sigma Run, Seprod Foundation, Southern Basketball Conference, St. John Bosco Vocational Training Centre, Stand Up for Jamaica, STAR Youth Feeding Program, The Musson Group Foundation, Treasure Beach Foundation (Newell School-BREDS Literacy Centre, Treasure Beach Sports Park), University of the West Indies – Department of Computing, University of the West Indies STEM Boost Program, UWI Scholarships – Ambassador Sue M. Cobb, Ambassador J. Gary Cooper, Ambassador Glen Holden, Doreen Clemenson, Kathleen Newman, Kevin Paul Akindele Wright, Klotz Family Scholarship, Margaret “Peggy” Steuart, Mark and Kathleen Newman Scholarship, Ralph & Ricky Lauren Family Foundation, Sydney A Phillips Scholarship, Violence Prevention Alliance, Wilson’s Run Primary and Infant School, Women’s Centre Job Training.

“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 modernizing public health infrastructure, the AFJ has consistently shown up for us” remarked Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon.

A heartfelt thank you to the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica for hosting this meaningful event. Your partnership and hospitality helped create an inspiring atmosphere where we could honor our incredible grant recipients and the transformative work being done across the island.

The AFJ’s grantmaking cycle begins in November, grantees are selected once per year. The AFJ is able to award grants from proceeds raised from annual fundraisers in New York and Miami, private foundations, corporate partnerships, donor direct contributions and the AFJ online giving platform.