Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

Delores Barr Weaver knows that to be true – she’s dedicated the last 60 years of her life to helping others through giving and volunteering.

Most recently, she donated $1 million from the Delores Barr Weaver Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida to United Way of Northeast Florida’s endowment, the first $1 million endowment gift in the organization’s 94-year history.

“Delores is a game changer and forward thinker who continues to lead the way with this gift,” said Michelle Braun, president and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida. “She understands how critical endowments are to the longevity of organizations like United Way and the more than 70 partners we support. We are so thankful for her generosity.”

Delores Barr Weaver and her husband, Wayne, first donated to United Way in 1995, when they came to Jacksonville as the owners of the newest NFL franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Along with their generous financial investments, Weaver gives freely of her time and energy to United Way in serving in many leadership roles at United Way, including service as a board trustee.

In recognition of her support and leadership, the board elected Weaver to become the first trustee emeritus in 2005.

“I always believed that … people who have the wherewithal have a responsibility to make a difference,” said Delores Barr Weaver in a 2017 article published by the Florida Times-Union.

In 1996, 1997 and 2011, the Weavers served as United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society co-chairs, leading the organization’s highest level donors and most respected philanthropic leaders committed to funding strategic solutions to solve complex problems.

Delores Barr Weaver was also recognized in 1996 with a special Tocqueville Society award, sharing that “all of us working together are stronger than any one of us alone.”

Due to their passion and hope for inspiring others to give at the Tocqueville level, or $10,000 annually, the Weavers gave United Way of Northeast Florida its very first $1 million to establish the “Weaver Challenge,” making them a member of United Way Worldwide’s Million Dollar Roundtable.

This challenge grant initiative allows donors to annually step up their gift over a period of years and, through this challenge, the Weavers were able to leverage their investment to generate more than 3 million new dollars for Northeast Florida over a five-year period alone.

“If I can help people see what a difference their donations can make and encourage them to feel greater ownership in improving our community,” Delores Barr Weaver said in a 2016 Florida Times-Union story, “then I will feel like my giving has made a difference beyond the agencies I have personally supported.”

Weaver’s recent endowment gift ensures her annual United Way Tocqueville Society support will benefit our community forever, providing a sustainable revenue stream to United Way and its partners.

“United Way of Northeast Florida is a critical leader in addressing the most challenging conditions of our community,” said Weaver. “I am proud to support United Way’s efforts for generations to come, knowing the lives of local children and families will be irrevocably transformed.”

If you are interested in joining Delores Barr Weaver in making an endowed gift of any size to United Way of Northeast Florida, contact Kristie Naines at kristien@nulluwnefl.org, or call 904-390-3236.

For more information on United Way of Northeast Florida, visit unitedwaynefl.org or follow @unitedwaynefl on social media.