The VM Foundation is reinforcing its commitment to community development with the official launch of its expanded VM ImPact Community Grants Programme. The initiative, which has historically provided small-scale grants to community groups, has now evolved to offer a wider range of funding, ensuring greater and more sustainable impact across Jamaica.
The milestone was marked by a special cocktail event on Thursday at the VM Wealth Rooftop Terrace in New Kingston, bringing together key stakeholders, including Courtney Campbell, chairman of the VM Foundation and group president and chief executive officer of VM Group; Samantha Charles, chief executive officer of the VM Foundation, VM Group executives, board members, and representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community development organisations.
Courtney Campbell, speaking on the significance of this expansion, noted that the initiative aligns with VM’s enduring commitment to nation-building.
“For nearly a century and a half, VM has been at the heart of empowering Jamaicans to achieve their financial and personal aspirations. The expansion of the VM ImPact Community Grants Programme is a natural progression of that mission. By deepening our support, we are ensuring that community organisations – many of which are doing transformative work on the ground – are better positioned to effect lasting change.”
The revamped grant programme will now provide three tiers of funding, ranging from $30,000 to $500,000, to support community development, youth empowerment, education, financial literacy, arts and culture, health, social enterprise, sports, and environmental conservation. The goal is to move beyond short-term assistance and instead create long-term, tangible improvements in communities across Jamaica.
VM Foundation Chief Executive Officer Samantha Charles underscored the importance of supporting grassroots efforts in a more meaningful and structured way.
“The reality is that many organisations are doing phenomenal work, but they often lack the resources to scale their impact. We are stepping in to bridge that gap. By expanding our grants to provide more significant funding, we are giving these groups the means to execute sustainable projects that uplift and empower communities for generations.”
Not-for-profits and NGOs, registered community organisations, and benevolent and service associations are all invited to apply for grants through the initiative. The VM Foundation will prioritise initiatives that demonstrate strong community ties, align with sustainability values, and deliver measurable impact, while also being open to facilitating financial education for their teams and programme participants.
Applications for medium grants – which range from $50,001 to $250,000, and large grants of $250,001 to $500,000, are set to close on March 14, while small grant applications, for $30,000 to $50,000, will remain open throughout the year.
