named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Busy Bee Summer Camp
Free summer enrichment program offering academic programming, field trips, and daily meals for underserved children
Child Resiliency Program
After-school program providing literacy training, nutrition, and psychosocial support to children affected by trauma
Handheld Ultrasound Project
Three-year initiative in partnership with JAHJAH Foundation and Ministry of Health to train physicians and distribute Butterfly ultrasound devices across 19 hospitals
Hurricane Beryl Relief
Emergency response initiative providing roof repairs, water filters, generators, and support to over 13,000 people affected by Hurricane Beryl
Mark and Kathleen Newman Scholarship
University scholarship program supporting students at the University of the West Indies
Ralph and Ricky Lauren Bursary
Financial aid program for undergraduate students at the University of the West Indies
Saturday Academic Booster Programme
Academic support program for students at Christel House Jamaica, funded by AFJ to improve educational outcomes
World International Model United Nations (WIMUN) Support
Program providing airfare and logistical support for Jamaican students to attend WIMUN at the United Nations in New York
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 3 activities
- Funding community development in education, healthcare, and economic development in JamaicaProvides grants to Jamaican organizations, including NGOs, schools, hospitals, and the University of the West Indies, focused on measurable impact in education, healthcare, and economic development. Since 1982, awarded $20,405,901.05 in grants, including $767,000 in a recent cycle supporting 47 initiatives.
- Funding disaster relief and recovery programs in JamaicaProvides grant funding for disaster response and recovery efforts in Jamaica, including support for re-roofing, water access, and livelihood restoration following hurricanes. Supported Hurricane Beryl relief with funding that repaired 795 roofs, distributed 800 water filters, and reconnected 3,000 homes to water.
- Funding eye health programs in JamaicaFinances eye care initiatives in Jamaica, including a program in Montego Bay that provided vision services and eyewear to children, and a US$150,000 donation for retinal cameras, a laser machine, and training across four parishes.
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Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
- Funding educational enrichment and STEM programs for underserved youthFinances academic and computing programs for children, including a free summer enrichment program with academic programming and field trips, and a summer coding program at the University of the West Indies for 3rd–5th graders.
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Mental Health Research and Services Funding 1 activity
- Funding psychosocial and trauma recovery programs for children and survivorsSupports mental health and resilience-building initiatives, including funding for the RISE program to reduce PTSD symptoms in children and a healing retreat for 40 female survivors of child sexual, emotional, and physical violence.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Presenting awards to individuals and organizations for service to JamaicaRecognizes leadership and humanitarian contributions through the International Achievement Award and International Humanitarian Award, presented annually to individuals and organizations improving the lives of Jamaicans.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$2.63M
Contributions & grants$2.63M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.29M
Program expenses68%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising16%
Salaries & benefits$248K
Grants paid out$1.56M
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$3.07M
Cash$1.31M
Investments$1.63M
Liabilities$10K
Net assets$3.06M
Liquid reserves15.4 mo
4 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +23.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caron Chung | Administrator | 40 | $135K |
board members · 12
- Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater ret — Director
- Ambassador Sue Cobb ret — Director
- Barron Channer — Director
- Brenda Johnson ret — Director
- Denise Dubuque — Director
- Glenn Creamer — Director
- Kathleen Newman — Director
- Monica Ladd — Director
- Patricia Falkenberg — Director
- Paula Campbell Roberts — Director
- Radford Klotz — Director
- Wendy Hart — President
relationships · 34
Who they work with
- Americares Partner — Recognized by AFJ for humanitarian work, including hurricane relief
- Caribbean Hospital Relief Fund Partner — Recognized by AFJ through the award to Dulcie Ann S. Sherlock in 1988
- Christel House Jamaica Partner — Funded the Saturday Academic Booster Programme to support student achievement.
- Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Partner — Partnered on a dental mission to provide oral health services in Jamaica.
- Couples Resorts Partner — Supports tourism-linked community development and charitable initiatives in Jamaica.
- Current grantees Partner — Organizations receiving grants from American Friends of Jamaica and required to submit biannual progress reports.
- Diageo Corporation Partner — Recognized by AFJ at the 2006 South Florida Gala
- Digicel Foundation Partner — Partner in supporting social and community programs in Jamaica.
- Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFTP) Partner — Partnered to deliver hurricane relief funds for roof repairs, agricultural recovery, and back-to-school assistance.
- Food for the Poor Partner — Recognized by AFJ as an international relief organization
- General Mills Partner — Recognized by AFJ for hurricane relief efforts in 1989
- JAHJAH Foundation Partner — Co-led the Handheld Ultrasound Project to train physicians and distribute medical devices in public hospitals.
- Jamaica Government — Primary geographic focus for charitable support and social initiatives
- JetBlue Partner — Collaborated to fund student travel to the World International Model United Nations Conference.
- JetBlue Partner — Provides logistical or transportation support for programs and personnel traveling to Jamaica.
- Kingston Creative Partner — Rockstone Legal, led by AFJ team member Sarah Hsia, is a First 50 partner of this nonprofit arts organization in Kingston, Jamaica.
- Kraft Partner — Recognized by AFJ for hurricane relief efforts in 1989
- Lasco Partner — Supports health and community development programs in Jamaica through partnership.
- Ministry of Health and Wellness Government — Partnered on the Handheld Ultrasound Project and dental mission initiatives.
- Mission of Sight Partner — Funded to deliver pediatric vision care services and eyewear in underserved communities.
- National Education Trust (NET) Partner — Collaborating on a water harvesting and sanitation upgrade project to improve infrastructure in schools.
- Open Society Foundations Funder — Provides financial support to American Friends of Jamaica for grantmaking activities.
- Ralph and Ricky Lauren Partner — Individual donors supporting the organization’s work in Jamaica.
- Round Hill Partner — AFJ leadership has long-standing shareholder and board-level ties to Round Hill, a resort in Jamaica.
- Round Hill Developments Ltd. Partner — Board membership and long-term leadership involvement by AFJ leadership.
- Royal Caribbean Cruises Partner — Recognized by AFJ at the 2005 South Florida Inaugural Gala
- Seprod Foundation Partner — Collaborated on STEAM education initiatives including the Coding Challenge and Outreach Day.
- Trinity Health St. Francis Partner — Collaborates on health-related community initiatives in Jamaica.
- U.S. Embassy in Jamaica Government — Hosted the 2025 Grant Award Ceremony and partnered with AFJ to support grant recipients in Jamaica.
- United States Ambassador to Jamaica Government — Hosts the official AFJ grants awards ceremony annually.
+ 4 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Barrier Reduction for High-Impact Education Accessmethodology: barrier_reduced_education_accessBy funding travel and access costs, we remove financial barriers to high-impact educational opportunities, because removing logistical and economic constraints enables broader participation and equity in education for underserved Jamaican students.
- Local-Organization Empowerment through Grantmakingmethodology: local_organization_empowermentBy providing grants to local organizations, we enable them to implement vital programs that address community needs in Jamaica, because locally rooted entities are better positioned to understand and respond to those needs effectively and sustainably.
- Long-Term, Community-Rooted Developmentmethodology: long_term_community_developmentBy investing in long-term partnerships and sustained engagement with communities in Jamaica, we create lasting impact, because continuity and deep local integration foster resilience, trust, and systemic change more effectively than short-term interventions.
- Network-Based Resource Mobilization with Accountabilitymethodology: network_based_mobilizationBy building and leveraging a broad network of donors, partners, and grantees, we mobilize and distribute resources more effectively, because trust, transparency, and shared commitment amplify funding reach and programmatic impact in Jamaica.