Underscoring J.P. Morgan’s commitment to supporting international women’s rights, the J.P. Morgan EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) Charities Committee has committed $100,000 to support the empowerment and well-being of women and girls who are victims of inequality, abuse and poverty.
The grant, made to the Global Fund for Women (GFW), will be used to establish the J.P. Morgan Education and Economic Fund for Women and will channel support to a range of projects in areas of acute need in the EMEA region focusing on economic security, violence against women, health and education.
As one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world with a specific focus on women, the GFW directs funds through an extensive network of small, independent, female-led organizations including: Empowering the Women of Nepal, the Palestinian Woman Society, and the National Union of Guatemalan Women. In 2006, the organization pledged over $8,000,000 in grants; 44% of the funds were invested in emerging economies in the Americas, Asia and Oceania, while 49% supported efforts in EMEA. Since the GFW began in 1987, J.P. Morgan has contributed over $2 million in support of the organizations work and remains one of the GFW’s largest corporate sponsors.
“It is well recognized that supporting women’s causes benefits the entire community. We believe that this investment will help create growth and sustained development in areas of real disadvantage,” said Eva Lindholm, a managing director in the Financial Institutions Group, who championed the proposal.
Chief Executive of the GFW, Kavita Ramdas added: “This grant will increase educational and economic opportunities for women and girls throughout Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Specifically it will support women-led organizations that are implementing innovative, locally-based solutions to end poverty and discrimination. The work of each of these organizations, in turn, will reach hundreds of women and their families.”
In addition to the firm’s financial support, Lindholm believes that there will be many opportunities for J.P. Morgan employees in the region to contribute. “Over the coming year we plan to explore ways in which J.P. Morgan employees in EMEA can get involved with Global Fund for Women projects,” she said. “This may involve local fundraising, site visits to local project teams or remote mentoring.”
For more information on how J.P. Morgan invests in our communities, visit Community & Sponsorship.