RAPAPORT...  Press Release: Jewelers of America (JA), the national association for businesses serving the fine jewelry retail marketplace, has established a new “Affinity Group Support Fund” for its state and regional association partners. State and regional partners can apply for grants to supplement the cost of organizing projects and events that will result in more vibrant, financially stable and effective organizations.

“The Affinity Group Support Fund is just one example of how Jewelers of America is working with our state and regional partners, as we continue our long-standing relationships under new, restructured agreements. We are thrilled to be entering a new era for the association with the majority of the state and regional jewelry partners moving forward with us” says JA's president and chief executive officer (CEO) Matthew A. Runci, referring to the fact that 37 of JA’s 39 former “affiliate associations” signed new agreements after JA reorganized its operational structure this past quarter.

While the Fund supports the efforts of state and regional association partners, its primary purpose is to directly benefit all JA members. JA has established criteria so that approved projects will have a direct and positive impact on members. For instance, projects focusing on increased member benefits, improved member participation and administrative cost savings hold particular relevance. In addition, proposed projects must directly align with the JA mission, thereby ensuring the delivery of benefits to individual association members and to the jewelry industry as a whole.

An Affinity Group Support Fund Committee will review all incoming project proposals. Approved grants may range from a few hundred dollars up to $2,500 per submitting association per year. JA is also offering aggregate grants above $2,500 for projects submitted by multiple state and regional partners. This offer is designed to encourage individual associations to combine resources to organize cost-efficient joint events that could bring together larger groups of regional jewelers, resulting in greater member satisfaction.

About Jewelers of America (JA):
Jewelers of America (JA) is the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry retail marketplace. Jewelers of America's primary purpose is to improve consumer confidence in the jewelry industry. JA’s consumer education arm, Jewelry Information Center (JIC), has provided public relations and marketing services on behalf of the fine jewelry and watch industry since 1946. JIC’s website, JIC.org, is the source for fine jewelry and watch information. Visit www.jewelers.org and www.JIC.org for more information.

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