JCK Industry Fund Announces Over a Quarter Million Dollars Allocated to 2021 Grant Recipients
ICA - Recipient of JCK Industry Fund Grant, 2021
" ‘Gems Keep Giving’ (GKG) is an initiative set up by ICA to support artisanal gemstone mining and cutting communities around the globe," notes Damien Cody, chairman of the GKG committee. "As the name implies, those involved in the gemstone industry now have a way of giving back to those in our industry who are most in need. By giving we are not only changing lives for the better but we are also helping to make our industry more sustainable."
With Gems Keep Giving, there are no administration costs. 100% of monies raised by the Gems Keep Giving fund will be utilised for the defined projects. ICA warmly welcomes assistance from socially conscious corporate sponsors, foundations and donors who will see that through the GKG fund their generosity can really make a difference to the lives and communities of some of the less fortunate people in our gemstone community.
And thanks to JCK's Industry Fund grants, the Gems Keep Giving fund is getting off to a terrific start.
PRESS RELEASE
Norwalk, CT (February 18, 2021) – The JCK Industry Fund Committee has announced the 2021 recipients of its annual JCK Industry Fund grants, totaling over $253,750 to both traditional fund submissions and a new Diversity and Inclusivity grant, which came out of greater awareness that the industry can and should do more to support inclusion. Since 1997, the fund has awarded over $7 million towards program grants to benefit the jewelry industry at large.
"Coming out of a difficult and challenging year, it was important to the JCK Industry Fund Committee to support our industry and the organizations that help move it forward," says Yancy Weinrich, Chief Growth Officer, Reed Exhibitions. "The 2021 recipients are comprised of eight organizations that serve the jewelry and watch industries who will apply their JCK Industry Funds to initiatives that range from ethical sourcing, heightening consumer confidence, safety, diversity and inclusion."
The 2021 Industry Fund Grant Recipients:
Diamonds Do Good
Gem Legacy
International Colored Gemstone Association
Jewelers Security Alliance
Jewelers Vigilance Committee
Mercury Free Mining
Women’s Jewelry Association
The 2021 JCK Industry Fund Diversity & Inclusivity Grant Recipient:
Black in Jewelry Coalition
Each of these organizations received grant monies in the first quarter of 2021 to advance specific projects that will benefit the industry as a whole. The JCK Industry Fund Committee chooses recipients based upon their synergy with the overall core goals of the fund, which include, but are not limited to: improving commerce and the image of the jewelry industry in the eyes of the consumer; aiding in addressing serious challenges faced within the jewelry industry; assisting in developing educational content that can make a profound impact on the jewelry industry, consumers and diversity and inclusion.
The grants are funded by JCK with support from the industry at-large – primarily through donations from JCK customers: its exhibitors and attendees. This year, De Beers Group also contributed special funding in support of the new Diversity & Inclusivity grant. Donations are collected year-round and allocated annually.
"In a year without the JCK show to provide additional funding through the generous donations of our exhibitors and attendees, we are proud that JCK could continue to support at our same levels initiatives that will offer the most sustainable impact to improve the growth and health of the industry at large," states Sarin Bachmann, Group Vice President, Reed Jewelry Group. “The JCK Industry Fund can achieve the biggest impact for the industry when individuals and partners contribute to its mission of offering impactful support by donating at our website when registering to attend the show and through their JCK show participation. With the industry’s help we can give back more each year, and the JCK Industry Fund will continue to foster an industry that has given so much to so many through the years, in challenging times or not.”
The JCK Industry Fund Committee consists of Yancy Weinrich (Chief Growth Officer, Reed Exhibitions USA); John Green (President & CEO, Lux Bond & Green); Eddie Le Vian (CEO, Le Vian); Michael Lerche (President, Goldstar Jewellery LLC); Sam Sandberg (Chairman, A. Jaffe); and Sarin Bachmann (Group Vice President, Reed Jewelry Group).
For more information and to donate, visit here.
Contact
Jen Cullen Williams, Luxury Brand Group
jen@luxbrandgroup.com
Lauren Thompson, Marketing Director, JCK & Luxury
lathompson@reedexpo.com
About the JCK Industry Fund
The JCK Industry Fund was established in 1997 to enhance the image of the jewelry industry and to foster development and research of programs that would benefit the industry. To date, this fund has awarded over $7 million in grants to those organizations or individuals who have created programs that will have the most sustainable impact to improve growth and health for the industry at large.
About JCK
JCK is the single destination year-round for jewelry professionals to gain access to: news & expert insight, vital business driving events & connections, career development resources, and product discovery. As the industry authority, its news and event platforms attract a community of the most influential jewelry professionals who are looking to discover and buy what’s new, next and innovative. The JCK & Luxury by JCK shows provide the most important days for the U.S. jewelry market to drive sales throughout the entire year. This is where the jewelry and watch industry will reunite to share their passion for products and innovation through personalized experiences that cannot be replicated—all within a secure and safe environment. For more information on JCK, visit jckonline.com.
About Reed Jewelry Group
Reed Jewelry Group, a division of the world's principal events organizer Reed Exhibitions, is the jewelry industry's partner in print, digital and face-to-face communications. A trusted industry leader, Reed Jewelry Group operates the top jewelry trade shows: JCK, LUXURY by JCK, and Jewelers International Showcase (JIS). Additionally, Reed Jewelry Group owns JCK Magazine, the industry authority on the latest trends, technology and retail practices for manufacturers, designers, retailers and other influential figures who drive the jewelry business.