The Cause
Jam for Jamaica, Inc. is a registered 501c3 non for profit public charity, and has been consistently completing building missions in Jamaica for over a decade. Raising funds through music and other community events all proceeds go directly to provide materials, manpower, and on-site assistance to impoverished inner-island Jamaicans for the construction and renovation of shelters, which are usually non-existent, or in desperate need of repair. Along with putting on our annual Jam for Jam Music and Camping Festival, the organization sends a group of committed volunteers to Jamaica each year to carry out the mission. Each volunteer pays their own way to participate in helping these needy families. This has created a cultural bond between the organization and the community it helps.
Our direct goal is to raise a minimum of $50,000 which will provide assistance to at least 25 families.
We appreciate your support!
Craig Baumann – Co Founder
Our Mission
There very little in the way of government help to assist the country’s underprivileged with funding or financing for housing. The result is that families often have living quarters that are dangerous, are in poor condition, or are non-existent. The goal of the organization is to help in the construction or repair of housing for as many families as is possible each year.
Unlike here in the USA or other countries, Jamaica has no backstop for families in need. While certain areas of that country do prosper, inner-Island Jamaica is one of the poorest regions in the world. There is little in the way of government-funded assistance and jobs are hard to find and maintain.
As a consequence, people often have nowhere to turn to for help. For some, this results in housing that is barely habitable. Since 2006, Jam for Jamaica has been helping families have a better life by providing expertise, labor and materials to repair shelters that are in desperate need of renovation.
The real-life benefit can last for generations.
The History
In 2006, Milwaukee Wisconsin area musician, Craig Baumann, visited inner-Island Jamaica on mission trip. During the trip, he witnessed firsthand the deplorable living conditions some inner-Island Jamaicans had and decided to do something about it.
Craig’s ambition and passion to help these families, led to the birth of Jam for Jamaica. The vision was to provide both on-site and financial assistance to less fortunate families to repair or replace the dilapidated shelters some were forced to live in.
Craig took all of the tips from his shows for that year, about $4,000, and donated them directly to fund the organization. Thus began the Jam for Jamaica mission, which has continued for the past 11 years. The organization became an official 501c3 non-profit group in 2009.
Craig quickly realized that the need was so great that his tips alone would not support the effort. He called upon many volunteers and area musicians, to create Jam for Jam, a 4-day music festival held each May in Southeast Wisconsin. The goal of the event is to provide awareness of the quest, but also to fund on-going efforts of the charity.
The event is now heading towards its 14th year in May 2023.
The Festival
The Jam for Jam Music and Camping Festival is the organization’s largest event of the year, with 100% of the proceeds from each festival going to support housing for the families in need. The Festival is regarded as a “FULL FOUR DAYS OF AWESOME” so come and experience some great regional music while supporting a great cause!
Contribute
Unlike many charities, all of the proceeds go directly to this effort. The organization is completely run by volunteers, with no paid staff. The workers, who travel to Jamaica to help in the effort, pay their own way. It’s important to know that 100% of the funding raised goes to the improvement of conditions.
Donate To The Cause
With Jam for Jamaica’s non-profit 501c3 status, all donations are tax deductible. Many companies will also match donations given, so please take the time to investigate if that is applicable to you! Every amount will help, big or small and is much appreciated.
Attend a fundraising event
Jam for Jam continues to be one of the premier music festivals in South East Wisconsin. In 2018, the organization will be holding other music and non-music events. Check out our calendar and we can’t wait to see you at our next event.
Be A Volunteer
Want to see the benefits of Jam for Jam? Go to Jamaica with the crew and help those in need while the Jam for Jam Music and Camping Festival are always looking volunteers for the event. We are also looking for knowledgeable volunteers with fundraising or grant writing experience.
In each of the last 18 years, Craig has led an all-volunteer group to actually go to Jamaica to assist in the repair process. Over the years, the team has developed all of the contacts and established the infrastructure to make these trips successful.
The average cost to repair a structure for a family is about $2,000. Often, this is providing a new roof, siding, or windows. The organization’s goal for 2024/25 is to provide assistance to 10 families, or to raise $20,000. In the context of giving, this is not a lot, but provides assistance that would otherwise be unavailable to these families.
Every Dollar Counts.
Thanks to everyone who had contributed towards our goal to help these families.