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(NORWALK, Conn.) – JCK is now accepting submissions for the 2025 JCK Industry Fund Grant now through November 15, 2024.
For almost three decades, the JCK Industry Fund has been dedicated to supporting the success and growth of the jewelry industry by presenting over $7 million in grants. This past year, the Industry Fund reached a new milestone granting over $340,000 to worthwhile causes. The Advisory Committee hand-selected the following organizations for their innovative practices in sustainability, transparency, inclusivity, security, and more. They are proud to continue the JCK Industry Fund’s mission of propelling the jewelry industry into a successful future through impactful initiatives.
“JCK is committed to investing in the future of the jewelry industry through annual Industry Fund grants. Our mission is to empower innovative organizations that aim to drive positive change and elevate our industry to new heights. If you are involved in initiatives centered around sustainability, transparency, responsible sourcing, inclusivity, security or growth of the industry as a whole, we invite you to apply for our 2025 grant funding,” states Sarin Bachmann, Group Vice President of the RX jewelry portfolio and Chair of the JCK Industry Fund’s Advisory Committee.
2024 Grant Recipients
- Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) received funds once again for their emerging designer participation in JCK.
- Diamonds Do Good (DDG) received grant monies for the consumer-confidence broadcast campaigns, targeted media distribution to drive consumers to buy diamonds.
- Gem Legacy, JCK’s Industry Fund grant fueled their mission to ensure sustainable, responsible practices in the gemstone supply chain. The actions funded included equipping small-scale miners with essential tools for self-protection, contributing to college scholarships for children of mining communities and sending traveling gemologists to artisanal mining regions for training.
- Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) was granted for advance software and technology including i2 Analyst’s Notebook, LexisNexis Accurint for Law Enforcement and TLOxp, to aid their efforts in helping law enforcement with crime prevention and identification of criminals.
- Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), for the funding of the development and launch of an ADA Compliance Guide for industry members. An inaccessible website can exclude people just as much as steps to an entrance of a physical location. This along with guides on compliance for physical locations was funded by the grant and included in an online guide and training materials to assist industry members in complying with the ADA.
- Mercury Free Mining, for the scaling of GOLDROP technology and the development of a responsible gold supply chain. This transformational initiative, supported by the JCK Industry Fund along with large and small-scale jewelers around the world, marks a significant shift towards sustainable mercury-free gold mining and community empowerment in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities.
- MJSA’s grant helped fund the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program intended to assist with the unprecedented labor shortage of bench jewelers. This grant allowed MJSA to develop 150 hours of related educational training and information to be made available throughout the industry as well as to trade schools and community colleges to supplement existing jewelry programs and add new ones.
- Pure Earth was a first-time recipient of the fund, Pure Earth received funds for their workshop that raises awareness on the harmful effects of mercury. This is a presentation of alternative technology for mercury-free gold extraction, marketing and commercialization training.
- Women’s Jewelry Association’s (WJA) grant supported WJA in holding their Generating Community Impact Breakfast event at JCK. The session focused on increasing access to the industry through diversity, equity and inclusion, specifically as it relates to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Eligibility and Application Details
Companies, organizations, and nonprofit associations that implement projects or initiatives aimed at benefiting the jewelry industry by driving consumer commerce, building consumer confidence, advancing sustainable business practices, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and enhancing security practices are encouraged to apply. Personal business development initiatives are not eligible for consideration.
Applications must align with the larger industry-related goals and will be reviewed by a committee of industry leaders, including: Sarin Bachmann, Group Vice President, RX jewelry portfolio; Lisa Bridge, President & CEO, Ben Bridge Jeweler; John Green, President & CEO, Lux Bond & Green; Michael Lerche, President, Goldstar Jewelry LLC; Eddie LeVian, CEO, Le Vian; and Sam Sandberg, Chairman, A.JAFFE. The committee will evaluate all applications, and the chosen recipients will be notified in early 2025.
To apply for the 2025 JCK Industry Fund grant, visit the JCK Industry Fund website to download the official application. Submissions must be received by November 15, 2024.
The post JCK Industry Fund accepting applications for 2025 Grant Funding appeared first on Southern Jewelry News.
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