The following are FAQs about Friends of Jamaica, USA. If you have questions that are not answered below, please contact us.

Why should I contribute to Friends of Jamaica, USA?

Contribute only because you want to! If you love Jamaica and want to help provide assistance to Jamaicans and worthy programs in Jamaica, then please join us by making a donation at whatever level of contribution you can afford.

Are my contributions tax deductible?

Friends of Jamaica, USA is an IRS recognized non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, your donations are tax deductible if you are a resident of the United States. As always, check with your tax advisor for more information on how to claim this deduction. If you live outside the U.S., your contribution may also be tax deductible. Check with your tax advisor to be sure.

How do I know my money will actually go to support worthy programs in Jamaica?

Friends of Jamaica, USA has volunteers providing most of the administrative labor such as this website. Therefore, most of our funds go directly to grants in Jamaica. Our goal, with the help of our volunteers, is to turn at least 90% of our donations into grants in Jamaica. Most of the balance is used to pay necessary expenses (though many of these are also donated) such as web hosting, e-commerce fees, printing of promotional materials, etc. To see how your donations are used, see YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK.

What kinds of organizations and programs can Friends of Jamaica USA fund?

Friends of Jamaica, USA grants can only be given to non-profit organizations providing benefits to Jamaicans and/or the environment of Jamaica. We cannot make grants to individuals, nor to political or religious organizations.

What if I want my donation to go to a specific program?

When you make a donation to Friends of Jamaica, USA, you may state what types of programs you would like to see your donation support, such as neonatal resuscitation, schools, etc. In some cases, by special arrangement, we can "earmark" donations for a specific organization or effort. These "pass-through" donations can be made if the organization or project meets the Friends of Jamaica USA guidelines. For more information on specifically designated pass-through contributions, please contact us.

If I become a member, will I start getting solicitations or spam?

Friends of Jamaica, USA will never sell its membership list.

Where is Friends of Jamaica, USA located?

Thanks to the internet, we like to think Friends of Jamaica, USA is located everywhere. Actually, we are incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Illinois and our Articles of Incorporation are on file with the Illinois Secretary of State.