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RJO launches nonprofit foundation
The initial goal of the Retail Jewelers Organization’s foundation is to offer scholarships and/or grants for its members.
RJO employee Hannah Green updates the donations in the RJO Foundation booth at the organization’s recent buying show in St. Louis.
St. Louis--The Retail Jewelers Organization has launched the nonprofit RJO Foundation, with a goal of building its endowment to offer scholarships and/or grants for educational opportunities to its members.
The foundation may also benefit disaster relief and charitable contributions in the future.
For its initial campaign, the RJO asked its members to bring scrap gold and monetary donations to its recent buying show in St. Louis.
“I feel education is an important part of a well-rounded jeweler,” said RJO Foundation President Mike Doland. “Encouraging them with a start on their education can make a big difference in keeping them in our industry. Our industry will be in need of young people following in the footsteps of independent jewelers as many of us are facing retirement in the next few years.”
The foundation’s Executive Director Mary Peterson said, “Encouraging learning, whether through business classes, bench training or specific industry courses, is vital for ongoing success in our industry.”
RJO Foundation applications will become available to RJO members this fall.
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