Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) launched an endowment at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida this year. “SPAR represents Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhood, so it’s our responsibility to think long-term,” said Tyler Grant, Board President. “This endowment will help ensure Springfield flourishes long into the future.
To learn more, we asked Michael Haskins, Executive Director of SPAR, to answer a few questions about about SPAR’s work and their plans for the endowment.
For those that don’t know, what is SPAR, and why is it important to you to support the Springfield neighborhood?
Springfield is Jacksonville’s oldest suburb, established in 1869 just north of Downtown Jacksonville. The neighborhood is known for its historic homes with large front porches where residents can gather, encouraging people to get to know their neighbors, which is one of the reasons Springfield is also known for its strong community spirit. The historic architecture has attracted artists and creatives for decades, making Springfield a cultural hub in the city at large.
SPAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and neighborhood advocate for the Springfield neighborhood in Jacksonville’s Urban Core. We support preservation of our historic community, its revitalization, and community building through events. We facilitate community input on proposed changes in the neighborhood, advocate for improvements and infrastructure, run the local business association and more because we know that communities with strong neighborhood organizations create a better quality of life for all.
Why did SPAR decide to open an endowment at The Community Foundation?
The Community Foundation is one of the most reputable philanthropic organizations in Jacksonville. An endowment with The Community Foundation represents an opportunity for SPAR to invest in the long-term future of the neighborhood and to ensure that we have the financial tools to support strong community organization for many years to come.
What do you plan to do with your annual grant from the endowment/why is this type of unrestricted support valuable to you as an organization?
The annual grant is a wonderful extra if needed, but our hope is to reinvest as much as possible to grow our endowment on behalf of the community. Our hope is to one day be in a position to ensure that Springfield always has at least one full-time person focused on supporting and improving the neighborhood.
What are your plans for growing the endowment?
As we share the value of the endowment with the community, we hope donors will consider planned gifts as part of their estate planning. The endowment is a legacy for our neighborhood, and we think gifts to the endowment to support that legacy will create a lasting impact for Springfield.