Delores Barr Weaver called Thursday a “bittersweet day” met with mixed emotions.
Along with her husband, Wayne, the original Jacksonville Jaguars owners have given plenty back to the community — more than $73 million alone to The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida in the past couple of years. That’s on top of their other philanthropic efforts they took part in while owning the team until 2011.
Thursday was a little different. A little more personal.
The Weavers again announced they were providing a donation to the foundation, but not in the strict monetary sense.
This time, it was the place they called home for years. A home they have “welcomed hundreds and hundreds of people” over the years, shared with the community through nonprofit events and entertained friends on weekends.
Delores Weaver handed over the keys to the 14,000-square-foot riverfront home in San Marco to foundation leadership to become an asset. It’s been on the market for several years and is listed at $4.7 million.
Proceeds will go to the Weaver Family Fund at the foundation to benefit nonprofits.
The Weavers in September 2012 transferred their philanthropic organization to the fund and serve as advisers on how the money is spent.
“It will be in good hands,” Weaver said of donating the home.
If a buyer pays the $4.7 million list price, the Weavers’ giving will be pushed a step further: They will open a $1 million endowment advised fund with the foundation in the buyer’s name. The purchaser will be able to advise grants, name successors and have the foundation’s staff provide support.
To date, the Weavers have established 33 funds at the foundation. Of those, 29 are designated endowments that create a permanent income stream for nonprofits.
“I hope we have proven how much we love Jacksonville and how much it really means to us,” Weaver said.
Foundation board Chair Bill Brinton introduced Weaver, calling the donation “bold” philanthropy that makes the Weavers an inspiration.
And while Brinton said the foundation is typically not in the real estate business, it is “very capable” of receiving such assets and putting them to work.
The Weavers haven’t lived in the home for about eight years and it’s been on the market for about the same time, said Judith Law of Berkshire Hathaway, which is selling the home.
The couple still lives in Jacksonville in a Riverside condominium.
Their former home at 6120 San Jose Blvd. W. has six bedrooms, six full bathrooms, three powder rooms, a two-story foyer and wooden walkway that lead to a dock, among other features. According to the Property Appraiser’s website, the 2014 “in progress” market value for the house built in 1996 more than $3.8 million.
When the Weavers moved to the Villa Riva condominiums in 2006, they listed the San Jose property for $10 million. In 2012, they dropped the price to $5.5 million and listed it through Concierge Auctions, but there were no buyers at that price.
Shortly after receiving the keys, foundation President Nina Waters said the Weavers “have certainly earned their own place in Jacksonville” and are among the most generous philanthropists in the state.
The idea for donating the house started about a year ago, she said, and shows the family’s continued commitment.
“I think we have a jewel here in Jacksonville,” she said.
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