JFC rolls out 2015 Local Grants program

New York--Jewelers for Children now is accepting nominations for its Local Grants program, which gives 10 separate $10,000 grants to local charities nominated by jewelers.

Independent jewelers nominate a local organization or charity to receive one of these grants. Once a final list of nominations has been put together, the retailer then is responsible for motivating people to vote for their charity through a campaign on JFC’s Facebook page.

It will be up to the jeweler and the nominated charities to generate interest in voting for them through their own social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and email. JFC said that it can provide sample language for use on social networks as well as press releases that can be used to promote the nominated charity.

Nominations will be accepted from now through Sept. 25. Voting will begin on Oct. 5 and continue for two weeks, ending Oct. 18.

The 10 charities with the most votes will be announced on Oct. 19. Grants will be awarded before the end of the year by the jewelers who nominated them on behalf of the entire industry.

Last year’s 10 winners were the following.
-- Matthew’s Giving Tree, which helps families provide the best quality of life for their children with disabilities and challenges
--The Children’s Heart Foundation, an organization for children with a congenital heart defect
--Plant A Seed, Inspire a Dream, providing scholarships for children to pursue interests outside of school
--Junior League of Baton Rouge, a volunteer organization for young women
--Kenny Rogers Children’s Center, which works to improve the lives of children with special needs
--Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses
--University of Wisconsin American Family Children’s Hospital
--Gio’s Garden, a therapeutic respite center for children with special needs
--Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, which gives money to support research of this rare disease
--North Kitsap Fishline, a food bank in Washington state

For more information about how to participate, requirements for nominated charities or to obtain a nomination form visit the JFC website.