Mrs. Weaver has pledged $50,000 to the effort if the community can raise $50,000 in a 1:1 match. 

Contact: Kelly Rich          

Phone: 904-353-7727

Email: [email protected]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 10, 2021) –  Springfield Preservation and Revitalization, or SPAR, is excited to announce that Jacksonville philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver has issued a matching challenge to help the organization reach their fundraising goal for capital improvements of the SPAR Building located at 1321 North Main Street. The building, which SPAR acquired in 1994, was catastrophically damaged during Hurricane Irma forcing the nonprofit to move into a temporary space off Main Street shortly thereafter. 

Mrs. Weaver, a long-time supporter of many charitable causes in Jacksonville, has pledged to contribute $50,000 through a 1:1 match, challenging the Northeast Florida community to step forward with $50,000 to unlock her gift. This gift will be made through the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida.  

“It is exciting to support SPAR at this important point of its development,” said philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver. “Supporting Springfield in this way helps build and sustain Jacksonville’s vibrant neighborhood culture, which makes people feel connected to the places they call home.”

Launched in September of 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, SPAR’s Building for the Future capital fundraising campaign has had tremendous backing locally from neighbors, local businesses, and supporters. Over 150+ donors have given to the Building for the Future Capital Campaign with a total of about $300,000 raised. With an overall goal of $500,000, this matching challenge will help SPAR move closer to concluding the campaign. Donors who wish to make a pledge as part of the match can do so through this web page or via check addressed to Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (1321 North Main Street Jacksonville, Florida 32206). 

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About Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund
The Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida was created by Delores Barr Weaver in 2015 as the natural evolution of the Delores Barr Weaver Fund, which has awarded more than $86 million in grants since she created it in 2012. She also provides separate, annual support to 20 local, non-profit organizations for their annual fundraising events through the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund. Like the Delores Barr Weaver Fund, the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund’s purpose is to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that do work she has supported over many years and to encourage others to do so as well. Mrs. Weaver has an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy, and she has provided transformative support to dozens of nonprofit organizations that uplift, enlighten and advance our community.

About Springfield Preservation and Revitalization

Since 1974, the mission of SPAR is to ensure Historic Springfield is a preferred place to live and do business by leading programs that drive the preservation, revitalization, and balanced growth of our community. For more information, go to our website at www.sparcouncil.org.