The JCK Industry Fund is now accepting applications for its 2025 grant cycle, with submissions open until November 15, 2024.
The fund, established to support the advancement of the jewelry industry, has awarded over $7 million in grants during the past three decades. In 2024, the JCK Industry Fund provided more than $340,000 to organizations working on initiatives in sustainability, transparency, inclusivity, and security.
Mission and Focus Areas
The JCK Industry Fund’s mission is to support organizations that contribute to the industry’s growth through projects aimed at enhancing sustainability, responsible sourcing, inclusivity, and security. “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,” stated Sarin Bachmann, Group Vice President of the RX jewelry portfolio and Chair of the JCK Industry Fund Advisory Committee. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals aligned with these focus areas for consideration in the 2025 grant cycle.
2024 Grant Recipients
In 2024, several organizations were recognized for their contributions to the jewelry industry:
- Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC): Received funding for their emerging designer participation at the JCK event.
- Diamonds Do Good (DDG): Supported for campaigns aimed at boosting consumer confidence in diamond purchases.
- Gem Legacy: Received funds to promote sustainable and responsible practices in the gemstone supply chain, such as providing essential tools to small-scale miners and offering scholarships for children of mining communities.
- Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA): Granted funds for advanced crime prevention technology to assist law enforcement.
- Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC): Supported in developing an ADA Compliance Guide to help industry members ensure accessibility in both physical and digital spaces.
- Mercury Free Mining: Funded for expanding GOLDROP technology and supporting responsible gold mining practices to reduce mercury use in artisanal mining.
- MJSA: Received a grant to develop the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program to address the industry’s labor shortage, creating 150 hours of educational materials for bench jeweler training.
- Pure Earth: A first-time recipient, funded for workshops on mercury-free gold extraction methods.
- Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA): Supported for their Generating Community Impact Breakfast event, which focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Eligibility and Application Process
The JCK Industry Fund invites companies, organizations, and nonprofit associations that contribute to industry-wide initiatives, including those that drive consumer engagement, foster consumer confidence, advance sustainable practices, promote diversity and inclusion, and improve security standards. Personal business development initiatives are not eligible for the grant.
Applications will be reviewed by an advisory committee composed of industry leaders, including Sarin Bachmann, Lisa Bridge (Ben Bridge Jeweler), John Green (Lux Bond & Green), Michael Lerche (Goldstar Jewelry LLC), Eddie LeVian (Le Vian), and Sam Sandberg (A Jaffe). The committee will evaluate submissions based on their potential impact on the jewelry industry, with recipients notified in early 2025.
Interested applicants can visit the JCK Industry Fund website to download the application form and apply. All submissions must be received by November 15, 2024.
