JCK's Jewelry Industry Fund, now in its twelfth year, was established to enhance the image of the jewelry industry and to foster development and research of programs that would benefit the industry. On an annual basis, $400,000 are distributed in grants from this Fund to individuals, groups or associations who work towards the betterment of the overall industry. To date, the Fund has awarded over $4 million in grants to those organizations or individuals who have created programs that improve the industry's image. The JCK Industry Fund is underwritten by the JCK Group.
The JCK's Industry Fund Mission
To help aid, assist and improve the jewelry industry. As global leaders in the jewelry industry, JCK® strongly believes that it is an essential element and part of our corporate responsibility to give back and continue to nurture an industry that has given so much to so many.
Who can apply:
Companies who will utilize the grant to exemplify one or more of the main objectives of the program:
- To improve the image of the jewelry industry in the eyes of the consumer
- To aid jewelry industry organizations in addressing serious problems faced within the industry
- Or, to assist internal organizations and associations in developing training materials.
Congratulations to our 2010 Industry Fund Award Recipients
- Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) DDI is continuing to develop and create the Development Diamond Standards, a verifiable certification system for artisanally mined diamonds. DDS will be one of the tools for addressing development issues and formalization of the artisanal diamond mining sector, as well as a foundation for enhancing the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process regulatory mechanism. DDS would enable artisanal diamond miners to play an active role as change agents in their own sector, thereby changing the legacy of chaos and of victimization to a heritage of structure.
- Jewelers of America (JA) JA's purpose is to strengthen the political voice of the Jewelry Industry by developing an awareness campaign, conducting grassroots Advocacy programming and by implementing tools for Political Action on behalf of the jewelry industry's concerns.
- Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) The WJA used its award to support the "Women in the Know" Conference and was able to merge the regional conferences into a National Conference.
- American Gem Society (AGS) The grant money was used to hold its annual conclave. The gathering provided the industry with a comprehensive continuing educational program and its annual membership meeting. According to Ruth Batson, Executive Director & CEO, AGS was able to bring a higher caliber of speaker to the event by using the grant, but also to provide training and member support for certification. The conclave delivered 4 days of education on topics ranging from Business/Profitability to Gemology, Appraisals, and Bench Techniques.
- Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) provides education and self-regulation to the jewelry industry. This year, JVC put the grant money towards implementation of Phase II of the Jade Act of 2008 and continued implementation of the Kimberley Process Scheme.
- Jewelers' Security Alliance (JSA) Produced a series of five-minute crime prevention training videos for Jewelers on: Preventing Losses on the Road; Reducing your Risk of Robbery; Reducing your Risk of Burglary; Reduce Shipping Losses; Prevent Credit Card Losses; Reducing Theft Losses in Grab and Run, Switches and Sneak Thefts.
How to apply:In order to be considered for this grant program, applicants must submit their formal proposal in writing directly to the JCK Group and include all of the following elements:
- The purpose of the grant
- The amount requested
- Timing for allocation of monies and a plan for its allocation
- Historical budget data
- Measurable expected benefits
- An agreement outlining JCK's right to conduct financial auditing of funds allocated to ensure suitable usage.
- Copies of the proposals should be sent directly to Dave Bonaparte, Group Vice President, JCK Events, 383 Main Avenue , Norwalk , CT 06851.
How recipients are selected:
All applications will be reviewed and final recipients will be chosen by a Fund Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from the manufacturing and retail segment, as well as JCK Events and JCK Publishing Group. The recipients will be chosen based on their synergy with the overall core goals and intentions of the Fund.
When are recipients announced?
The Industry Fund recipients will be announced in early 2010 at a location and time to be determined.