About the Jamaica Education for the Poor Foundation

What JEPF Does

We help students stay in school, and we help the schools that teach them. Our focus is at-risk youth in Jamaica.

In practice: books, school supplies, backpacks, computers, printers, scholarships, mentoring, leadership training, and outreach. It is unglamorous on purpose. The costs that end a child's education are small, and covering them is most of the job.

Why a Maryland Nonprofit Works in Jamaica

The people who run JEPF are Jamaican. They live and work in Maryland and the DC area. They raise money in the community they belong to, and spend it in the country they came from.

The foundation keeps strong local ties as a result. It runs community and cultural events across the Washington metropolitan area and takes part in educational work in Hyattsville and Prince George's County.

Education Background

Our members are teachers and graduates of Howard University, the University of Maryland, and Georgetown University. Several of them substitute teach at High Point, Roosevelt, and Northwestern.

These are the backgrounds of people on the team. They are not partnerships with, or endorsements from, any of those universities or schools.

How JEPF Is Funded

Five channels, all of which feed the same programs:

1. Fundraising events across the Washington metropolitan area.
2. The JEPF Food & Wine Festival, the foundation's flagship event property.
3. Business and corporate sponsorships.
4. The JEPF supporter business directory.
5. Online donations from individuals, families, alumni, and organizations.

Officers serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

Long-Term Vision

A permanent leadership training center in Jamaica. Leadership, tutoring, mentors who stay, help getting ready for work, and a way to give back, all under one roof. Nothing has been built and no opening date is set. We will post progress when there is progress to post.

Nonprofit Credentials

Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.