JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — June 26, 2026 — Eleven emerging philanthropists have completed the Weaver Philanthropic Initiative, The Community Foundation’s hands-on learning program about strategic philanthropy, and made grants totaling $55,000 to support nonprofits that align with their philanthropic interests.
The 2026 class participated in six sessions of facilitated learning, exploring the needs and opportunities in the Northeast Florida region and studying frameworks for strategic philanthropy that helped them clarify their personal giving approach. The group is the eleventh class to graduate from the Weaver Philanthropic Initiative, which began in 1999 and recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. See a full list of alumni at jaxcf.org/weaver-philanthropic-initiative.
“It’s critically important to the future of our community that we proactively support the next generation of philanthropists,” said Wanda Willis, Vice President of Civic Leadership at The Community Foundation. “The eleventh class of the Weaver Philanthropic Initiative is a testament to the talent of the next generation – their contributions of time, talent, and treasure are poised to impact our community long into the future.”
After exploring community issues and defining their philanthropic priorities, each class member chooses a nonprofit in which to invest. The Community Foundation matches each participant’s grant with discretionary dollars, resulting in the following grants:
- Lainie Boswell – $5,000 to Micah’s Backpack Jacksonville Inc.
- Julia Kerns – $5,000 to the North Florida Land Trust
- Sydnor Kerns – $5,000 to the North Florida Land Trust
- Hilary Libman – $5,000 to the Jacksonville Dance Theatre
- Emily Nasta – $5,000 to Communities in Schools Jacksonville
- Luke O’Steen – $5,000 to Junior Achievement of North Florida
- Annie O’Steen – $5,000 to Junior Achievement of North Florida
- Morgan Owens – $5,000 to Feeding Northeast Florida
- Forest Peyton – $5,000 to I.M. Sulzbacher Center for Homeless, Inc.
- Jason Purdy – $5,000 to St. Johns Riverkeeper
- Lauren Purdy – $5,000 to Feeding Northeast Florida
About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (www.jaxcf.org), Florida’s oldest and one of its largest community foundations, 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 helps people come together to make the community a better place. Now in its 62nd year, the Foundation manages more than $809 million in assets as of 12/31/2025 and has made more than $925 million in grants since inception.
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Contact: Stephanie Garry Garfunkel
VP, Strategic Communications
904-224-7208 | sgarfunkel@jaxcf.org