
Jack and Jill of America Foundation – Our vision is to transform African American communities, one child at a time.
510224656
1968
Washington, DC 20009 USA
jackandjillfoundation.org
jackjillfound
Jack and Jill of America Foundation Inc.
Overview
The Jack and Jill of America Foundation Inc. is the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of African American children. Founded in 1968, it primarily focuses on initiatives related to early childhood education, health care equity, and housing stability for African American families.
History and Development
Established in 1968, the foundation has evolved over time to address broader national issues. Initially, it supported local chapter programs and volunteer events. In 2002, the foundation moved its headquarters to Washington, D.C., marking a shift towards more national-scale initiatives.
One of its earliest funded initiatives was a decade-long partnership with Florida A&M and Ohio State University aimed at enhancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) literacy among African American high school students.
Mission and Activities
The foundation's mission is to address issues affecting African American children and families by investing in programs that provide a strong foundation for their long-term success. Its primary focus areas include:
- Education: The foundation supports educational programs from early childhood through college, with a significant emphasis on initiatives like the Jack and Jill Reading Corners. It also offers collegiate financial assistance through its College Prep grants and Foundation Scholars scholarship.
- Health: Local chapters organize health fairs to provide essential health services and awareness.
- Familial Support: It provides grants to African American families in need, focusing on creating stable environments for children.
Initiatives
A notable recent initiative is the "Close the Gap" program, which aims to ensure that students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) graduate debt-free by establishing a $2 million endowment. This program partners with several HBCUs, including Savannah State, Alcorn, Prairie View A&M, and Huston-Tillotson.
Financial Management
The foundation relies heavily on proceeds from local chapters and investment returns for its funding. A small portion of its revenues come from external foundations and corporations.
Leadership
Key leadership positions include the Executive Director and the President of the foundation. As of available data, the executive director is Pier Blake, and the president is Icilma Fergus-Rowe, who also serves as Director of Cardiovascular Disparities at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
References
References for this article include the Jack and Jill of America Foundation's annual reports and publicly available documents.
[1] https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/jack-and-jill-of-america-foundation/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_and_Jill_of_America [3] https://jackandjillfoundation.org [4] https://jackandjillfoundation.org/about-us/ [5] https://www.jackandjillnsac.com/Foundation
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News

✨ Big shoutout to one of our amazing 2024-2025 STEM grantees, Sister to Sister International, Inc.! Our Executive Director, Pier Blake, had the BEST time visiting during their Annual Day of Action 💖 Seeing the magic happen in person was unforgettable! Also in attendance was Foundation Board Members, Manny Hostin, Treasurer and Trustee Hugh LaRoche. Representing the Westchester County chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is First Vice President Eileen Lambert and Chrystal LaRoche, Chapter Editor and Corresponding Secretary-Elect. With support from a $10,000 STEM grant from the Jack and Jill Foundation, their STEAM Sistahs Academy and Summer Camp are helping girls dream bigger, shine brighter, and rock the world of STEAM! 🚀🎨🔬 We can’t wait to see what these future changemakers do next! 🌟 #JackAndJillFoundation #SisterToSisterInternational #STEAMSistahs #STEMQueens #FutureLeaders #GirlsInSTEM #STEMMagic (fb)

📚✨ National Library Week is in full effect — and we’re cooking up something special! Shoutout to our 2024-2025 Reading Corner grantees, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Miami Chapter, and their amazing partner, Black Girls Cook, for creating Storybook Cooks! This program brings storytime and snack time together in the sweetest way. 🍴📖 With every page turned and every dish made, these young chefs (grades K–2) are stirring up creativity, confidence, and a whole lot of joy. They’re learning kitchen skills, making new friends, and discovering how books and food can open up a whole new world. We love seeing literacy and imagination come to life — and we’re so proud to support programs that feed the mind and the soul! ✨🖤 #NationalLibraryWeek #JackAndJillFoundation #StorybookCooks #BlackGirlsCook #ReadingCorner #MiniChefs #BooksAndBites #YoungDreamers (fb)
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About the organization
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Celebrating Over 55 Years of Advocacy for African American Children and Families Welcome to the official website of the Jack and Jill of America Foundation the oldest African Americanled nonprofit organization in the United States and the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America Inc. As we celebrate our spectacular 55th year we remain steadfast in our commitment to addressing issues affecting African American children and families. Our mission is to invest in programs and services that create a strong foundation for children to thrive longterm. We believe that every child deserves access to quality education healthcare and a safe and nurturing environment.