NCB Foundation has launched its thirteenth Grant a Wish season with $8.5 million allocated to help uplift needy Jamaicans – from helping families rebuild after house fires to providing essential medical care for those who could not afford it,

 For this year’s installation of the programme, NCB Foundation’s annual Grant a Wish has shifted away from its traditional structure of nominations, voting and preset categories. Rather, applicants can submit one heartfelt wish for themselves, someone else, or an organisation. Raach wish should have a simple explanation of why the grant would make a meaningful difference.

 “Life doesn’t always fit into categories,” said Perrin Gayle, CEO of NCB Foundation.

“That’s why, we’ve removed them entirely. NCB Foundation’s Grant a Wish is about meeting people where they are, listening to their stories and offering meaningful support without unnecessary hurdles. We want this process to feel easy, open and human because the needs are real and so are the people behind them.”

Gayle added that this redesign reflects the spirit of the programme and the Foundation’s commitment to fairness and access. He noted that the aim is to widen the opportunity for Jamaicans who may never have submitted a wish under the previous format or may still be having issues with connectivity.

“Some people simply do not have the time or comfort level to navigate voting links or categories. We want everyone to feel welcome to step forward and ask for help if they need it in a way that is easy and convenient,” he explained.

While the programme supports a wide range of needs, NCB Foundation continues to focus on wishes which support creating positive and lasting change. Requests that involve cash only, overseas travel or anything that cannot be fulfilled safely will not be considered.

Applicants may submit wishes online at www.jncb.com/grantawish or in person at participating NCB branches, where applicants can complete a form and place it in the Grant a Wish box. The participating locations include Mandeville, Christiana, Junction, Santa Cruz, Fairview, Savanna la Mar, Lucea, Falmouth, St Ann’s Bay and Port Maria.

NCB Foundation’s Grant a Wish is open to all Jamaicans and residents across the island, not only NCB customers. Nominations close at midnight on December 31, 2025.

This initiative runs alongside the recently launched Building a Better Jamaica Fund 2.0, created in response to Hurricane Melissa to support long-term recovery and resilience. This effort continues alongside the Grant a Wish season, which remains focused on providing direct, personal support to individuals, families and organisations who need it. Together, these efforts reflect NCB Foundation’s commitment to rebuilding communities and transforming lives.