A ‘home’ for The Community Foundation

A ‘home’ for The Community Foundation

Two decades after J. Wayne Weaver and Delores Barr Weaver made Jacksonville their home as owners of the then-new NFL franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the couple continues their philanthropy for a community they have embraced.

Last month Delores Barr Weaver announced that they have given their $4.7-million home in Lakewood to The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.
The Foundation is entrusted with selling the 14,000-square foot home along the St. Johns River, with proceeds going into the Weaver Family Foundation Fund at the Foundation to be used for grants to nonprofit organizations.

Nina Waters, president of The Community Foundation, Delores Barr Weaver, William Brinton, Foundation Board Chairman, Grace Sacerdote, executive vice president and chief financial officer

Nina Waters, president of The Community Foundation, Delores Barr Weaver, William Brinton, Foundation Board Chairman, Grace Sacerdote, executive vice president and chief financial officer

“This donation to The Community Foundation continues the Weavers’ long history of philanthropy in Jacksonville and builds on their strong association with The Community Foundation,” said William Brinton, Board Chairman for the Foundation. “They currently have 33 funds at The Community Foundation, 29 of which are designated endowments that provide a permanent income stream for nonprofit agencies.”

“We are extremely grateful that the Weavers have been and remain so active in supporting improvements in the quality of life in Jacksonville,” Brinton continued. “Their bold philanthropy makes them an inspiration to others and has brought them national attention as well.”

The Weavers had yet another surprise up their sleeves.

In order to inspire others to give back, Delores Barr Weaver announced that she and her husband were establishing a $1 million endowment at The Community Foundation to the buyers who pay full price for the property. “It will be theirs to give grants, to name it, to pass it on to others in their family,” she stated.

Weaver noted that almost 21 years ago they came to Jacksonville on the coattails of a goal to bring an NFL team to Jacksonville. “I hoped – and I believe – we have now earned our own personal consideration from this community. I hope we have proven how much we love Jacksonville and what it really means to us,” she said.

Weaver noted the many events they had hosted in their home over the years for charity functions. “This is a bittersweet day. I greeted this morning with mixed emotions,” she said. “I loved being able to host parties for 200.”

The home sits on a wooded estate of about four acres with 243 feet of frontage along the river in the San Jose area, not far from Downtown Jacksonville. It features a grand, two-story foyer with Italian marble, six bedrooms, six full baths, three powder rooms and a wooden walkway that leads to a boat dock and gazebo for enjoying sunsets over a wide stretch of the river.

By Kate A. Hallock
Resident Community News

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