The JCK Industry Fund is now accepting applications for its 2009 grant program. The Industry Fund distributes grants to individuals, groups, and/or associations who have created programs that improve the industry’s image. 

In its eleventh year, the Fund has awarded more than $4 million in grants to deserving individuals or organizations since its creation in 1997.

In order to be considered for the grant program, applicants must submit a formal proposal in writing by Dec. 17. Submission information can be found at http://www.jcklasvegasshow.com/en/JCKs-Industry-Fund/.

Recipients are selected by a Fund Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from both manufacturing and retailing, as well as JCK Events and JCK Publishing Group. The Industry Fund recipients will be announced in early 2009.

With the JCK Industry Fund grant monies, the 2008 winners were able to pursue their training and educational program objectives in the following ways:

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance won with a proposal to conduct three training seminars for law enforcement personnel on retail jewelry crime. Seminars are being scheduled for Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles.

The American Gem Society held the AGS International Conclave in Seattle from April 9-12 with nearly 700 AGS members and guests in attendance. The Conclave provided a comprehensive continuing education program which featured 4 days of approximately 50 educational sessions led by industry experts.

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee is able to provide targeted legal compliance seminars and services to thousands of jewelers across the U.S. including “Legal Compliance is NOT Optional’ and “The JVC Industry Protection Program”.

The Women’s Jewelry Association provided Women In The Know Conferences and Webinars, participants are provided real tools that can be brought back to the business and home. This year, the conferences will take place in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.

Diamond Development Initiative aims to address a fundamental problem identified by governments, civil society and industry in the alluvial diamond producing countries of Africa: the poverty and insecurity surrounding artisanal diamond mining.

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