Maples Group Continues COVID-19 Relief Support with Additional US$117,800 Donation

The Maples Group is proud to announce that it has donated an additional US$117,800 for a total of over US$390,000 to local organisations in a continuation of the Group's philanthropic efforts to support organisations that are providing critical and essential services through COVID-19. The Group remains committed to supporting the Cayman Islands community and would like to express its gratitude to all of the frontline workers, volunteers and charities for their ongoing work. Eleven local charities, have benefitted from the Group's COVID-19 specific funding to date, which was raised through employee donations and its longstanding, philanthropic programme.

The Group's dedicated Dress for your Day initiative gives all employees the option to donate a portion of their monthly salary to charities, with the Group matching all donations made by its employees. In 2020, the Group committed all amounts raised from this initiative to support organisations that are providing essential services throughout these challenging times. In the first half of 2020, the programme donated a total of US$98,000 across seven charities, and the Group was proud to make similar donations in the second half of the year for a total of US$196,000 in donations made by the dress down programme.

The following organisations and charities received $14,000 each in the second half of 2020:

• Acts of Random Kindness;

• Alex Panton Foundation;

• Cayman Islands Veterans Association

• Feed Our Future Cayman;

• Jasmine;

• Kiwanis Club of Grand Cayman and;

• Meals on Wheels.

Through the Group's longstanding philanthropic programme, the Group is pleased to share that it also provided additional support to the following organisations:

• LIFE

• The Pines

• Cayman Islands Red Cross

• Hedge Funds Care Cayman

Over US$25,000 was donated to LIFE to support the charity and its team with the expansion of their programmes, including online classes and resources designed to help parents engage in their child's literacy.

A donation of over US$49,000 was made in response to a general appeal issued by the Cayman Islands Red Cross (CIRC). While the CIRC has supported Cayman Islands residents through 2020 and beyond, many CIRC programmes were temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in months of lost income. The donation will support the CIRC's ongoing disaster preparedness, pandemic relief resources, the management of over 300 volunteers and many of their other valued initiatives.

During a time when the elderly in the community were at increased risk due to COVID-19, the Group was proud to make a donation of over US$67,000 to The Pines Retirement Home. The donation will help fund the renovation of the Pines' Elderly Villas, making them more comfortable and accessible for their residents.

Despite the cancellation of the annual Hedge Funds Care Cayman event, the Group was honoured to make its annual donation of US$19,800 to help charities and organisations focused on the prevention and treatment of child abuse.

Commenting on the additional donations, Scott Somerville, CEO of the fiduciary, fund, entity formation and management, and regulatory services businesses of the Maples Group said, "Supporting the local community is an important responsibility for the Maples Group and our team members, made even more critical to uphold by the strain of COVID-19. We once again extend praise to the organisations, the individuals and the work they provide to the Cayman Islands, both now and in the future."

Matthew Gardner, Cayman Islands Managing Partner added, "In what was undoubtedly an unusual year, the Maples Group is delighted to continue to be able to provide assistance to charities and their efforts to help some of the most vulnerable members in the community. The Group expresses its gratitude to the organisations and the invaluable services they continue to provide during these times."

The Maples Group continues to support local causes and organisations in the Cayman Islands which focus on the development, improvement and benefit of five pillars in the community: Youth & Education, Healthcare, Sports, Arts & Culture and Community Outreach.

In 2020, including providing COVID-19 support, the Group was proud to donate over US$600k to local organisations and programmes forming part of its overall US$8M philanthropic support since 2008. Since 1998, through its scholarship programme, over 100 legal and non-legal scholarships have been provided to Caymanian students totalling over US$6M in educational support.

To keep up to date with the Maples Group philanthropic efforts, follow the Maples Group Facebook page and Instagram page @MaplesGroup.

About The Maples Group

The Maples Group is a leading service provider offering clients a comprehensive range of legal services on the laws of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Jersey and Luxembourg and is an independent provider of fiduciary, fund services, regulatory and compliance, and entity formation and management services. The Maples Group distinguishes itself with a client-focused approach, providing solutions tailored to their specific needs. Its global network of lawyers and industry professionals are strategically located in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East to ensure that clients gain immediate access to expert advice and bespoke support, within convenient time zones. For more information, please visit: maples.com.