Island Forward: A Blue Mahoe Charitable Foundation Initiative

Together We Rise

From crisis we rise; through commerce we rebuild.

Together We Rise is a Blue Mahoe Charitable Foundation initiative giving the Caribbean diaspora a transparent, credible, and structured way to rebuild livelihoods, starting with Jamaica.

We are also proud to partner with Hope Royal Botanical Gardens — working together to Save, Support, and Build

Hope Gardens for future generations. To Jamaicans in the Diaspora — These are OUR Gardens.

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The Moment

The storm passed. The work remains.

Hurricanes don’t just damage buildings — they also interrupt income, collapse supply chains, and erase years of progress overnight.

For many Jamaican families, small businesses are the household safety net. When they go down, everything else follows.

That’s why Phase 1 of Together We Rise focuses on rebuilding commerce first, so families can earn, communities can stabilize, and recovery becomes self-sustaining.

Through collaborative partnerships between local communities and diaspora supporters, we're turning disaster into lasting transformation.

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Rebuilding Local Commerce With Dignity

PHASE 1: MSMEs

Phase 1 of Island Forward focuses exclusively on economic recovery for Jamaica's micro and small businesses.

Grant Amounts:

  • Micro Businesses (0-5 employees): Up to JMD $150,000

  • Small Businesses (6-20 employees): Up to JMD $500,000

  • Freelancers & Self-Employed: Eligible

Use funds for:

  • Restocking inventory

  • Repairing equipment or facilities

  • Replacing damaged assets

  • Restarting operations

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How It Works

A transparent bridge between the diaspora and rebuilding home

Step 1
Identify the needs

MSMEs apply, partners verify eligibility

Step 2
Deploy grants

Funds transfer directly to businesses as raised

Step 3
Track Progress

Monthly reporting by parish, transparent metrics

MSMEs
Report Impact

Businesses share reopening stories, economic impact data

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  • Island Forward is a recovery and renewal initiative led by the Blue Mahoe Charitable Foundation.
    We connect Jamaicans at home and across the Diaspora to rebuild homes, restart businesses, uplift creators, strengthen sports programs, and support community healing after Hurricane Melissa.

  • No. Island Forward is an independent, non-governmental, non-partisan initiative. We collaborate with local authorities when needed, but we are not controlled by any political body.

  • We're complementary, not competitive. Government relief addresses immediate needs. We restore commercial infrastructure for long-term recovery. Our verification partners include government entities and private business and community partners.

  • Diaspora donors receive a US tax-deductible receipt. As a registered 501(c)(3), The Blue Mahoe Charitable Foundation (BMCF) provides the Diaspora with transparent Access to give back to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

  • First deployments begin as soon as sufficient funds are raised. With rolling deployment, grants flow to verified businesses once the program reaches operational threshold.

  • MSMEs are household safety nets. One business restart can preserve or create multiple jobs. We're focused on economic multiplier effects. Housing and other sectors may come in future phases.

  • Yes. Blue Mahoe Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Blue Mahoe Capital. We apply the same diaspora capital mobilization infrastructure and transparency standards, but as philanthropic work, not investment.

FAQs

From crisis we rise, through commerce we rebuild.

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All impact stories and associated images used with participant consent. Personal data stored in accordance with Jamaican Data Protection Act (2021) and GDPR where applicable.

*Diaspora donors receive a US tax-deductible receipt. As a registered 501(c)(3), The Blue Mahoe Charitable Foundation (BMCF) provides the Diaspora with transparent Access to give back to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

90% of all donations go directly to support our programmes and impacting communities. Only 10% of donations support administrative and programme delivery costs. The BMCF ensures transparent Access for the Diaspora to uplift Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.