Giving Tuesday 2019

We’re so grateful to serve such an inspiring and generous industry. Here’s how we can work together this Giving Tuesday.

Last edited: 12/2/2019

Giving Tuesday: Sweeps for CERF+: We'll Match Your Donations

The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) was established by artists for artists a grassroots mutual aid program in 1985. Today, CERF+ helps jewelers and other artisans recover from emergencies. Our "Sweeps for CERF+" program accepts sweeps as donations to this vital program. We contribute our own sweeps too, and together we make a big difference. Until the end of 2019 we'll add $50 to every sweeps donation. Participation is easy, and every contribution counts. Use your sweeps to put beauty back into the world.

A Few Of the Many Industry Organizations Rio Grande Supports:

 

CERF+

CERF+ is the leading nonprofit that focuses on safeguarding artists' livelihoods nationwide. Through Rio Grande's Sweeps for CERF+ program, you can recycle your sweeps to help jewelers in need. All proceeds are sent directly to CERF+. CERF+ accepts online donations.

Over the years, CERF+ has assisted hundreds of jewelers. The partnership between CERF+ and Rio Grande has provided funds, supplies, terms and other support to rebuild jewelers' businesses. CERF+ and Rio Grande partner with victims to craft a plan for rebuilding after serious setbacks caused by circumstances such as flood, fire, storms and personal health issues.

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Toolbox Initiative

The Toolbox Initiative, founded by Matthieu Cheminée and Tim McCreight in 2014, is a non-profit, long-term effort that relies on volunteers to distribute tools and supplies to jewelers in West Africa. The Toolbox Initiative accepts used and new tools, silver scraps, and monetary donations. Learn more about this incredible effort.

This year, Rio Grande shipped more than 300 pounds of tools to jewelers in West Africa through a combined effort with Albuquerque jewelry school Meltdown Studio.

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Ethical Metalsmiths

Since 2004, Ethical Metalsmiths has been working with jewelers as well as student, professional and hobbyist metalsmiths to increase awareness of dangerous manufacturing practices and responsible material sourcing in the industry. The organization is working towards a vision of a future with jewelers and consumers contributing to the well-being of the earth, its peoples and its cultures.

Rio Grande has supported and partnered with Ethical Metalsmiths for a number of years with donations of time and money, and through support of the organization's conferences.

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Other Organizations Rio Grande Supports:

"Rio Cares"—A Rio Grande Associates Committee of Giving

Formed in 2018, the Rio Cares committee helps coordinate associate volunteering efforts throughout our local community. This year, the committee helped plant 1,000 trees in one of Albuquerque's neighborhoods and volunteered for Roadrunner Food Bank, where they assisted in packaging more than 2,000 pounds of macaroni.

Jewelry Schools Directory

The education of the next generation of jewelry makers is important to Rio Grande. In addition to supporting instructors and jewelry schools, we launched the Jewelry Schools Directory in 2018. This is a free online service to the industry: it encourages jewelry schools to post public listings for the programs they offer and helps aspiring jewelers to find the right programs to help them realize their individual creative aspirations.

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Sweeps for CERF Program