Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Mr. Milton Brady (left), managing sirector of FirstCaribbean International Bank presents a cheque for US $40,000 to Mrs. Winsome Wilkins (right), CEO of United Way of Jamaica and Mrs. Bridget Gordon, Principal of Church Teacher's College at the offices of FirstCaribbean in New Kingston in this February 18, 2005 file photo.

Avia Ustanny, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Well over 100 charitable organisations operate in Jamaica, making what the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) says is a solid contribution to national development and the easing of the lot of the country's poor.

Although much has been aired about reductions in donations, corporate giving is, in fact, on the increase, matching international trends in philanthropic activity.

According to Beverly Stewart of the Council of Voluntary Social Services in Kingston, local companies are giving more, although Jamaica is yet to approach the levels of philanthropy in other nations. Charity amounts to 10 per cent of GDP (a measure of economic performance) in Canada, a figure similar to that in Europe. In Canada, donations of approximately CA$6 billion is made each year and the charitable sector employs over 1 million people. In the United States, giving from all sources is increasing and the number of private foundations has risen form 22,000 in the 1980s to 65,000 in 2005.

Mrs. Winsome Wilkins, CEO United Way and CVSS states that locally, there is no document or data of the amount of philanthropic dollars given to the health sector, skills training or education. But she says "entities like the Cancer Society, Heart Foundation, Diabetes Association, a number of privately run children's homes and basic schools continue to offer their services ... because people are giving."

Companies which are making a new name in philanthropy include National Commercial Bank and Digicel, which have both established charitable foundations for community development.

During the 2004/2005 fiscal year, the Digicel Foundation spent approximately J$213,458,000 (US$3,463,534) on projects and donations to create supportive environments which inspire and empower communities.

Approximately J$99,000,000 was also donated to hurricane relief efforts (rebuilding the Lakes Pen basic school in a record time of six weeks.

State-of-the-art resource centre

Other projects include the establishment of a state-of-the-art resource centre at Jesse Ripoll primary; a $9- million expansion and refurbishing of the St. Elizabeth technical high school sports complex and $5 million to refurbish and equip the meteorological services. Digicel Foundation has also set up a chair in telecommunications policy and management at the University of the west Indies, Mona.

In 2003, National Commercial Bank announced a $22-million scholarship programme. It has also subsidised the cost of CXC business subjects and, most recently, in September 2006, NCB and AIC chairman Michael Lee Chin donated $155 million to the building of a state-of-the- art nursing school at Northern Caribbean University, in Mandeville.

Education process

In Kingston, between May and September, the ICD-based MultiCare Foundation has spent some $5 million on sports and the visual and performing arts in the 31 MulitCare-assisted schools and in community programmes. MultiCare Programmes are intended to enhance the education process.

MultiCare partners include Cable & Wireless Jamaica Limited, Caribbean Cement Company Limited and ICD Group Limited.

According to Wilkins, it is up to struggling charitable organisations to make major donors aware not only of their financial needs, but their programmes long in advance of the start of the financial year, so that they may benefit form increasing corporate largesse.

Food For The Poor (FFP), established to reduce poverty throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, has also increased its spending in 2006. In 2005, (FFP) brought into the island and distributed approximately J$6.5 billion worth of food, school furniture, medical items, agricultural tools and supplies and building materials. In that same year, they spent over J$83 million on specific projects, which include water, sanitation, building and construction.

Since this year, January - November 26, FFP has distributed approximately J$7.8 billion worth of items across the island. These include agricultural tools and supplies, building materials, food, household furniture, school furniture and supplies, and medical items.

Although tax relief is available to companies which make donations to charitable organisations, this is limited and, therefore, local companies which give do so for other rewards.

Charity-related tax write offs

Ministry of Finance officials note that companies can get no more than 120th of statutory income for charity-related tax write offs. Donations must also be made to companies approved under section 12H of the Income Tax Act. Once the benefiting company is charitable, the donating company can benefit under section 13-1 subsection Q of the Income Tax Act.

Some charitable organisations have been established to meet the development needs of particular organisations. The University of the West Indies Development and Endowment Fund, the fund-raising arm of the University of the West Indies, continues to procure annual contributions and expand endowed monies to ensure that the university remains "a bastion of academic excellence". It also seeks to address the plight of students who face financial difficulties, granting academic and financial need scholarships.

CEO of United Way and CVSS Winsome Wilkins states, "Philanthropy is very important to national development and I say this because Government's budget seems never enough to meet all the social needs of our people." Voluntary organisations can fill gaps in poverty alleviation left glaringly vacant by communities and government.