The Intellectual Foundation of Jamaica (IFOJ) recently received a $1,000 grant from the John Deere Foundation. The grant was applied for by John Deere employee and IFOJ Trustee, Alisha Gerstner, as part of the company’s “Dollars for Doers” program. The program supports employee volunteerism of more than forty hours per fiscal year for qualified non-profit organizations in the areas of education, hunger, and community development. “I was very excited for the opportunity and the potential to further support IFOJ”, commented Alisha. Over the months that followed, she fulfilled the volunteer requirement by attending meetings, helping support organizational decisions, writing letters and articles, fundraising and helping to expand the organization's web and social media presence.
It costs approximately $900 for one school-year of books, tuition and other supplies for a high school student in Jamaica, which is cost-prohibitive for many families. As a result, the John Deere contribution is significant to IFOJ, and will go a long way in helping to fund scholarships going forward. The IFOJ is very appreciative of the contribution from John Deere. To learn more about the organization, please visit their website at www.JohnDeere.com.
