When Hurricane Melissa Hit Jamaica, Grand Hotel Was Ready to Help Their Employees and Community

Sponsee: Together We Are Stronger Jamaican Relief Fund
Focus: Emergency relief and direct financial support

In October 2025, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, causing widespread destruction across the island. Many Jamaican team members employed seasonally at Grand Hotel returned home to find their communities severely damaged, with limited access to electricity, water, and basic necessities. Immediate financial support was needed to help families navigate the aftermath of the storm.

Grand Hotel leadership needed to act quickly while remaining fully compliant with IRS and governance requirements. Givinga Foundation provided a solution that allowed donors to contribute in a tax-deductible way, while ensuring employees received tax-free support, helping them move fast and do it the right way.

Through a fiscal sponsorship partnership with Givinga Foundation, the Jamaican Relief Fund was launched rapidly. Givinga Foundation provided the infrastructure to collect and distribute donations efficiently, while ensuring transparency and compliance.

“When the hurricane impacted Jamaica, many of our employees were affected. The Givinga Foundation responded immediately with a clear plan, ensuring funds were distributed quickly and thoughtfully. Thanks to their partnership, we have a sustainable program to support our commitment to our culture and support our employees,” said David Jurcak, President Grand Hotel.

To maximize impact, Givinga Foundation waived all administrative fees and made a separate contribution to the fund, allowing every donated dollar to go directly to affected team members and their families.

The Impact

• 116 donors contributed to the fund
• Over $150,000 was raised and distributed
• Funds were delivered directly to Jamaican team members and their families
• Recipients received immediate relief during an extended recovery period

Beyond financial support, the fund reinforced a sense of community and care during a deeply uncertain time.

This effort demonstrates how fiscal sponsorship enables organizations to respond swiftly and responsibly in moments of need. By removing operational friction, fiscal sponsorship allows leaders to focus on people while maintaining accountability and trust.

Read the full story and the voices behind the impact →