The Sandals Foundation utilizes a two-stage application process to ensure efficiency and fairness in the review of submissions for projects to begin in 2027:
Stage 1: Concept Application (Initial Screening)
• The Concept Application Form will open on July 6 - 27, 2026.
• Applicants are required to complete and submit the Concept Application Form via THIS link.
Submissions will be reviewed based on alignment, feasibility, and potential impact.
Stage 2: Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a detailed project proposal. (A link to the
application will be provided at such time).
• Only invited applicants will proceed to this stage.
Submission of a concept application does not guarantee advancement to the full proposal
stage.
GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE
• Projects must take place within Caribbean islands where Sandals & Beaches Resorts operate
(Jamaica, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Curaçao, Turks & Caicos
Islands, St. Vincent & the Grenadines).
• Support may be extended to neighbouring islands during times of crisis (e.g. disaster relief).
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS
The Foundation invests in initiatives that build local capacity and promote sustainable development,
including:
• Education – school infrastructure, teacher training, digital literacy, scholarships
• Environment – biodiversity protection, marine conservation, environmental education, coral
restoration
• Community Development & Health – youth engagement, sports, culture, mental & physical
health
• Economic Empowerment – skills training (artisans, farmers, fisherfolk), social enterprise
• Disaster Preparedness & Relief – crisis response and resilience-building
FUNDING TIERS
To better align funding with project scope and impact, applications will be considered under the
following tiers:
Small Grants: Up to US $20,000
• Community-based initiatives
• Targeted interventions with clear, immediate impact
Medium Grants: US $20,000 – $50,000
• Multi-component projects
• Broader community reach and structured implementation
Strategic Grants: US $50,000 – $80,000
• Larger-scale or multi-year initiatives
• Strong alignment with Foundation priorities
• Demonstrated capacity, partnerships, and sustainability
Strategic Grants are limited and highly competitive. Only a small number of projects will be
considered at this level each cycle.
PARTIAL FUNDING
• The Sandals Foundation may offer partial funding based on project scope, priorities, and
available resources.
• Applicants should clearly indicate:
- The minimum funding required to deliver the project
- Any confirmed co-funding
PROCUREMENT GUIDELINES
• Local and regional suppliers are strongly preferred to support local economies and ensure
sustainability.
• Where international suppliers are proposed, applicants must provide:
- Clear justification
- Evidence that local or regional options were explored
- Rationale for supplier selection (e.g. cost, availability, quality)
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Organizations must:
• Be legally registered and compliant in their country of operation
• Demonstrate strong governance, transparency, and financial accountability
Projects must:
• Be located within eligible Caribbean regions
• Align with one or more strategic focus areas
• Demonstrate clear community need and support
• Include measurable outcomes and long-term benefit
• Be inclusive, accessible, and non-discriminatory
• Have necessary approvals (where applicable)
INELIGIBLE PROJECTS
The Foundation does not fund:
• Political, partisan, fraternal, labour, or purely religious activities
• Individual grants (unless scholarships or hardship-based)
• For-profit enterprises (unless structured as social enterprises)
• Government entities/agencies
• Activities outside the Caribbean
• Sponsorships, uniforms, or prizes without broader community benefit
• Raffles, giveaways, or unrelated travel
• One-off events without sustainable impact
• Projects lacking community buy-in, approvals, or sustainability
EQUITY, INCLUSION & CRISIS RESPONSE
• Preference is given to initiatives supporting vulnerable or underserved populations
• Projects promoting equity, gender balance, and environmental justice are strongly
encouraged
• The Foundation provides emergency response funding during regional crises
FULL PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS (BY INVITATION ONLY)
Shortlisted applicants will be required to submit:
• Detailed project overview and objectives
• Implementation plan and timeline
• Comprehensive budget with justification
• Monitoring and evaluation framework
• Sustainability plan
• Supporting documentation (e.g. approvals, designs, letters of support)
GRANT REVIEW PROCESS
Applications are assessed based on:
• Alignment with geographic and strategic priorities
• Clarity of need and proposed solution
• Organizational capacity
• Cost-effectiveness and feasibility
• Sustainability and long-term impact
• Inclusivity and equity considerations
Approved projects will proceed to due diligence, followed by funding and implementation in
collaboration with the Foundation.
Please submit your concept application HERE
For students at Titchfield High School, agriculture is more than a subject but a pathway to practical skills, entrepreneurial opportunity, and growth. Supported by a J$5.8 million private sector investment from the Sandals Foundation, Caribbean Broilers, and Rainforest the school's expanded broiler programme is set to enhance hands-on agricultural science education, strengthen student nutrition, and support income generation.
The project, which includes the expansion of its broiler farm to add a second house to produce 1800 birds per production cycle, construction of a slaughterhouse, and the installation of a commercial cooling system has enabled the school to enrich its Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education and meet the nutritional needs of its student athletes across disciplines of football, track and field, netball, and table tennis.
“We previously operated a small-scale broiler project consisting of a 600-bird broiler unit that faced a few challenges,” says Richard Thompson, Principal of Titchfield High School. “The capacity of the broiler unit could not meet the protein needs of the athletes and wider student population. The absence of a slaughterhouse forces us to rely on external sources for meat processing – increasing cost and reducing efficiency and the lack of a cold storage meant meat could not be stored safely – leading to spoilage and missed opportunities for future use.”
Contributing some $1.3 million towards the physical construction of the Broiler House as well as labour costs, Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation expressed delight in the holistic approach being taken by the school to sustain its operations and nurture the development of its students.
"The future of food security, innovation, and economic resilience will depend on how well we prepare young people today. I am extremely encouraged by the vision of the Titchfield High School community to create a framework that creates an ongoing source of food, training, and enterprise opportunities for by and large - its students.”
Helping to establish industry-standard operations, Caribbean Broilers Group injected approximately J$1.5 million dollars into equipment including a nipple drinking watering system, automated feeding system, 2 side-wall ventilation fans, a complete automated curtain system to regulate the brooding temperature of baby chickens, and a pancake brooder. The company was also instrumental in providing the technical drawing for the Broiler House, installation of the equipment, and facilitated training of key school personnel free of cost.
“As part of efforts to develop Agri-enterprise within our islands learning institutions and improve school nutrition programmes, the CB Group has been partnering with multiple high schools, colleges, and universities to promote building their infrastructure and capacity,” says Joseph Small, Senior Manager – Scholastic Partnerships at Caribbean Broilers Group. “As a food company we feel it is our responsibility to improve food systems for the next generation of healthy humans.”
And leading on the installation of 40ft refrigerator container at a value of J$3 million, Roger Lyn, Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships says, “Food security is one of the most pressing issues facing the country and our region today. The ability to be self-sufficient and produce safe, quality protein locally and be able to train the next generation to do it well is not just good for the school, but for Jamaica. This 40ft reefer container will allow the school cold storage capacity of up to 46,000 lbs of chicken meat that will go a far way in supporting the growth and expansion of the Titchfield High Broiler Project.”
Beyond the facility’s expansion, as part of its sustainability plan, the school will seek to reinvest revenue generated from poultry sales, school events and fundraisers into continued maintenance, feedstock, and ongoing student training.
As STEAM education connects learning with real-world outcomes, Titchfield High School's expanded broiler programme offers a practical example of how education, food production, and enterprise can work together to create lasting change.
As part of efforts to support the emotional well-being of more than 1,700 of Jamaica’s most vulnerable young learners, the Sandals Foundation, in partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, have established therapeutic play spaces in three primary and infant schools.
Valued at some JM $5.2million, the specialized environments designed to build resilience and enhance educational outcomes involved the renovation and outfitting of existing guidance counselling areas at Port Maria Infant School in St. Mary, Granville Primary and Infant School in Trelawny, and Irwin Primary and Infant School in St. James with child appropriate furniture, the provision of therapeutic tools, and adding vibrant murals.
The initiative, which has also provided therapeutic play training to 40 guidance counsellors has transformed underutilized rooms into safe, welcoming spaces where children can express themselves, process trauma, and begin to heal.
Speaking at a handover event at the Granville Primary and Infant School, Patrice Gilpin, Public Relations Manager at Sandals Foundation says, “Across Jamaica, many students are navigating grief, trauma, family separation, emotional regulation challenges, and other experiences that can affect how they learn and develop. Children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and understood so by creating dedicated spaces to deliver targeted support, our goal is to facilitate a holistic approach to student well-being as a critical foundation for academic success.”
Beyond the physical upgrades, every space was stocked with a carefully selected suite of play therapy materials including puppet family set, comfort blankets and hugable toys, an Adopt-A-Pet kit, stress balls, sensory and expressive animal figures, and therapeutic workbooks.
Dr. Claudette Crawford-Brown, Play Therapy Consultant, says play is a powerful tool for healing, growth, and learning.
“In a play therapy space, a child may use puppets to tell a story they cannot yet put into words, express emotions through art, role-play difficult situations, or create scenes in a sand tray that reflect their experiences and feelings. Through these activities, guidance counsellors gain insights that help children process emotions, develop healthy coping skills, and build confidence in a way that feels natural, safe, and age-appropriate.”
For Food For The Poor Executive Director, Denise Jeffereson, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting the whole child.
“At Food For The Poor Jamaica, we recognize that true development extends beyond meeting physical needs, it must also nurture the emotional and psychological well-being of our children. This partnership with the Sandals Foundation reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that students are equipped not only to succeed academically, but to heal, grow, and thrive in safe and supportive environments. By investing in these play therapy spaces, we are helping to build resilience, restore confidence, and create meaningful opportunities for Jamaica’s children to reach their full potential.”
According to Guidance Counsellor at Granville Primary and Infant School, Mrs. Jacqueline Thompson-East., the space is already showing positive results.
“Apart from talking to students, when you give them toys, sometimes you learn things you wouldn’t hear normally. I remember a little girl who used the toys to explain her home dynamic — at the end of the session we were able to see what the root cause of her problems were. In fact, we brought in her father and spoke to him about his role in helping us help his daughter.”
The Sandals Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and economic development through an EC$38,000 investment in the Department of Youth Affairs' Entrepreneurship Edge Programme, which officially commenced this week at the Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre.
Now in its second consecutive year of partnership with the Department of Youth Affairs, the Sandals Foundation continues to support the development of Antigua and Barbuda's next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders.
The six-week programme, held twice weekly, brings together a dynamic cohort of young small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs from across Antigua and Barbuda who are committed to growing their enterprises and transforming innovative ideas into sustainable ventures.
Throughout the programme, participants will engage in a comprehensive curriculum covering Creativity and Artificial Intelligence, Financial Management, Ethical Leadership, Project Management, Business Accountability and Sustainability, Social Entrepreneurship, Funding Opportunities, Business Plan Fundamentals, and Public Speaking and Pitching Skills. Delivered by experienced professionals, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts, these sessions are designed to equip participants with the practical skills, strategic thinking, and confidence needed to navigate today's business landscape and build successful enterprises that contribute to national development.
Speaking at the programme's opening ceremony, Sandals Public Relations Manager, Leon Norville, underscored the importance of investing in young people and creating opportunities that foster innovation, creativity, and economic growth. “At the Sandals Foundation, we recognize that the future of our communities depends on the ability of our young people to innovate, lead, and create opportunities for themselves and others,” said Norville. “Our investment to date of approximately EC$50,000 in the Entrepreneurship Edge reflects our commitment to empowering the next generation of business leaders with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to succeed.”
Sandals General Manager, David Latchimy, commended the Department of Youth Affairs for its continued dedication to youth development and for creating a platform that addresses the realities faced by young entrepreneurs as they navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business.
He noted that the Foundation's partnership with the Department extends beyond financial support and represents a shared commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent, fostering innovation, and equipping young people with the tools needed to transform ideas into viable and sustainable business ventures.
Director of Youth Affairs, Dr. Jrucilla Samuel, highlighted the Department's ongoing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship among the nation's youth. “By connecting participants with successful business leaders and providing access to critical resources, the Entrepreneurship Edge Programme is helping to build a stronger and more resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem in Antigua and Barbuda,” Samuel said.
She further explained that the programme seeks to address common challenges faced by startups and emerging businesses while promoting innovation, leadership, accountability, and sustainability. Through mentorship, networking opportunities, and practical learning experiences, participants will gain valuable insights into building resilient enterprises capable of thriving in an evolving economic environment.
As Antigua and Barbuda continues to place greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation, and youth empowerment as drivers of national development, partnerships such as this demonstrate the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors in creating pathways for meaningful economic participation and sustainable growth.
The Sandals Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen Caribbean communities through education, skills development, leadership training, and economic empowerment.
The programme will culminate in the Entrepreneurship Edge Expo following six weeks of intensive engagement, where participants will showcase their business concepts, products, and services.
“By the programme's conclusion, participants will be better equipped to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions, expand their businesses, create opportunities within their communities, and contribute to the continued economic development of Antigua and Barbuda,” the Director of Youth Affairs concluded.
