Jeffrey W. Comment Memorial Endowment Fund

Geographic Scope: National or international

Focus Areas:

• Specific programs and/or projects (not operational expenses or pooled funding)
• Programs that can be named for Jewelers for Children and the jewelry industry are viewed favorably
• No more than 25% allocation for charities with programs implemented abroad

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a registered charity
• National or international in scope
• Mission must primarily benefit children affected by illness, abuse, or neglect
• Requests must be for specific programs/projects, not general operational funding
• Unlikely to fund organizations similar to current legacy charity partners (children's hospitals, wish-granting organizations) to avoid duplication

Application Frequency: Yearly basis; may request multi-year project funding

Decision Timeline: Board of Directors formalizes distributions every June based on fundraising cycle

Emergency Response: Special procedures available for catastrophic/emergency needs impacting children's lives

Contact Information:

• Email: [email protected] to request notification of future funding availability
• Address: 120 Broadway, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10271
• Phone: (212) 687-2949

Background: Established by the Charity Programs Committee of the Board of Directors to make monetary grants to charities beyond the designated "legacy charities" (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Autism Speaks, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, National CASA Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation).

Application Procedure

1. Current Status: Do NOT submit applications unless you have been notified that funding is available
2. Notification Request: Email [email protected] with:
   • Your name
   • Organization name
   • Contact information
   • Request to be placed on notification list for future funding
3. Wait for Approval: Only submit application after receiving notification that funding is available

Required Materials

When funding becomes available and you are invited to apply:

• Electronic application form (available on website)
• Most recent annual financial statement of your organization
• Organization brochures and annual reports (recommended)
• Specific program/project description
• Budget for requested program/project
• Indication if project spans multiple years

Application Review Process

• Endowment Fund Screening Sub-committee: Consists of 3 members from Charity Programs Committee who review all timely applications
• Charity Programs Committee: Reviews screening committee recommendations
• Executive Committee and Board of Directors: Final approval authority
• Timeline: Decisions formalized each June by Board of Directors

Emergency Response Process

For catastrophic/emergency circumstances:

• Any Endowment Fund Committee member may request emergency meeting through Charity Programs Committee Chair
• Emergency meeting can be convened by Board Chairman
• Majority approval of present committee members required
• Written recommendations sent to Board Chairman
• Subject to Board of Directors approval