Weaver is the first woman and third person to receive the honor in the Foundation’s 60 year history
JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida honored Delores Barr Weaver, philanthropist and activist, with its Prize for Civic Engagement at The Foundation’s 60th anniversary celebration last night.
The Prize for Civic Engagement pays tribute to Weaver’s remarkable record of speaking out courageously for the common good on matters of civic importance. It was created by The Community Foundation in 2006 to recognize citizens of Northeast Florida who possess qualities that are not often publicly acclaimed and advance actions that enhance the public good, especially when those actions are unpopular.
“I am truly honored to accept the Prize for Civic Engagement on the occasion of The Community Foundation’s 60th anniversary,” said Weaver. “I often say that it’s the nonprofits who make it possible for me to play a part in building a better community. So, to all who are involved in their work — whether as a volunteer, a board member or supporter – thank you for all you do.”
It has only been awarded twice before, to William E. “Bill” Scheu, a servant leader and past chair of The Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, in 2014, and Bill Brinton, also a past chair and founder of Scenic Jacksonville, in 2007. Selected by a committee of community stakeholders, The Prize for Civic Engagement includes a bronze statue created by local sculptor Derby Ulloa.
“Delores Barr Weaver is nationally renowned for her unprecedented philanthropy in our region,” said Michael DuBow, chair of the board of trustees of The Community Foundation. “The prize recognizes her equally remarkable legacy of using her voice and platform to spark thoughtful community dialogue around important and under-recognized issues.”
A few noteworthy examples include her leadership at the Jaguars Foundation on the Straight Talk program, a media and grantmaking initiative that addressed teen pregnancy and reproductive health, the creation of the Connectable campaign to recognize the talents of people with intellectual and development disabilities, serving as an ally to LGBTQ people through support for JASMYN and the LGBTQ Community Fund at The Community Foundation, and her steadfast commitment to women and girls, such as jumpstarting the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, addressing sexual violence in the military and co-founding the Women’s Giving Alliance.
“It takes many types of assets – social, moral, reputational, intellectual, and financial capital – to build the better community we all want to see,” said Isaiah M. Oliver, President of The Community Foundation. “Delores has led the way in showing us the good we can do when we put all our resources to work to take on the issues that matter.”
Originally from Columbus, GA, Delores Barr Weaver has an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy in Northeast Florida since moving to Jacksonville as co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1993. Since her historic gift of $50 million in 2012 establishing the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund, she has partnered with The Community Foundation on her philanthropy through numerous, multi-million dollar gifts, including the Foundation’s largest-ever gift of $61 million in June of 2023. She has established permanent endowments for more than four dozen nonprofits, including 20 that receive ongoing annual support through the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund, est. 2015. Today, her grantmaking exceeds $209 million, with support for more than 300 organizations in Northeast Florida and beyond.
The Community Foundation honored Weaver with the Prize during a celebration event for fundholders and other close partners on April 17, which featured a conversation, led by President Isaiah Oliver, with its two past presidents, L. Andrew “Andy” Bell, III, and Nina Waters, about the past, present, and future of the Foundation.
About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (www.jaxcf.org), Florida’s oldest and largest community foundation, works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. The Foundation helps donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helps nonprofits serve the region effectively, and brings people together to make the community a better place. Created in 1964, the Foundation manages assets of more than $630 million and has made more than $695 million in grants since inception.
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Contact: Stephanie Garry Garfunkel
VP, Strategic Communications
904-356-4483 | sgarfunkel@jaxcf.org