(NORWALK, Conn.) – 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:
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 https://lasvegas.jckonline.com/en-us/landing-pages/jck-industry-fund.html
