On the Bench with Delores Barr Weaver
June 21, 2024
We are proud to announce that Delores Barr Weaver created a 2024 Legacy Fund for Our Children’s Trust to advance our work to save our planet for our children’s sake. The Fund at Our Children’s Trust was established with a gift of one million dollars and serves as a fundraising challenge to our community. It is a gift designed to inspire generosity among as many people as possible.
Delores Barr Weaver
Our Relationship began in Florida
Our relationship with Delores and the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida began in 2019 when they supported a study that Our Children’s Trust commissioned from Evolved Energy Research (EER). That study looked at decarbonization pathways for Florida’s energy system. It demonstrated how the state could safely and economically transition from fossil fuels, while achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions aligned with what scientists say is needed for a safe climate. This study provided evidentiary support for a constitutional climate lawsuit we had filed in 2018, Reynolds v. State of Florida on behalf of eight youth plaintiffs, which was ultimately dismissed in an unpublished decision in May 2021.
Eight youth plaintiffs in Reynolds v. State of Florida with Andrea Rodgers
“We are deeply honored to receive this legacy gift, to be counted among the organizations that Delores has so carefully curated. This gift comes at a critical moment and will help propel our work to scale. Our Children’s Trust began in 2010 representing youth seeking judicial protection of their climate rights. Today, we have built a global movement. Delores’ generosity is unparalleled and will provide essential support for young people and future generations.”
– Mat dos Santos, Co-Executive Director & General Counsel
Chapter 50-5: Florida Renewable Energy Goals
In response to that dismissal and leveraging the EER study, lawyers at Our Children’s Trust worked with a coalition of over 200 youth to petition for a rule setting the Nation’s most aggressive renewable energy goals. On August 9, 2022, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Commissioner Nikki Fried joined youth plaintiffs Delaney Reynolds and Valholly Frank in announcing the final rule, which set a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050. At the time, Commissioner Fried wrote, “We know we still have a long way to go and we’re going to need everyone to do their part, but issuing these goals is an important step forward.”
FDACS Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried releases proposed rule-setting goals to increase use of renewable energy in Florida on April 21, 2022, with Delaney Reynolds (left) and Valholly Frank (right).
During the 2024 session, legislators passed unprecedented amendments deleting all references to climate change in Florida law, and stripping FDACS of its authority to implement its renewable energy goals. Again, standing up for youth, Our Children’s Trust has submitted comments opposing the repeal of the goals.
“Youth in South Florida are on the front lines of climate change. After 200+ youth secured the nation’s strongest renewable energy goals, the Florida legislature acted to repeal the rule and delete all references to climate change in state law. Florida is now the state most dependent on natural gas, driving up energy prices and denying young people their fundamental right to live safe and healthy lives. We stand ready to change this reality.”
– Andrea Rodgers, Deputy Director, US Strategy
Regardless of whether the renewable energy goals are repealed, Our Children’s Trust is continuing to develop its next strategic litigation in Florida, which is expected to be launched in fall 2024.
2023 – A Landmark Year
In 2023, Our Children’s Trust leveraged our $100,000 challenge grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Fund to inspire our donor community resulting in $181,329 in donations from 374 new donors and 343 existing donors – an extraordinary impact. With this increased support we were able to elevate our impact in our landmark trial Held v. State of Montana.
“This challenge grant set the stage for a year of success. As a result, we grew fundraising by 119 percent in 2023. We have Delores and our friends at the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida to thank for helping us scale up and prove that with the help of a growing community of donors, we are poised to address the monumental challenge of the climate emergency.”
– Elizabeth Dickinson, Chief Development Officer
2024 – Navahine v. Hawaiʻi DOT
In April, the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida honored Delores Barr Weaver with its Prize for Civic Engagement – the third in its 60-year history. This June, we too want to take a moment to celebrate Delores as the trailblazer she is along with the 13 youth plaintiffs who live with deep care and responsibility for Hawaiʻi, and are leading the way towards climate justice in the Pacific.
We can think of no better way to act on this year’s challenge grant by raising $100,000 in honor of plaintiffs Charlotte, Kalālapaikuanalu, Kaliko, Kaʻōnohi, Kawahine’ilikea, Kawena, Kū, Mesina, Navahine‘omakali‘i, Pahonu, Rylee, Seed, Taliya – and Delores.
Your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000 thanks to the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds, doubling its impact
About Today’s Opportunity
Thanks to the generosity of visionaries like Delores, the steadfast support of our experts and partners, and our growing community of concerned people all over the world, we can offer excellent legal representation and holistic support to our young plaintiffs at no cost.
Your gift can profoundly impact this vital work, helping us create a world where children can grow and thrive in harmony with the planet. To discover how your support can bolster our efforts and leave a legacy for future generations, please contact our team at development@ourchildrenstrust.org. Together, we can make a difference.
About the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
Delores Barr Weaver has an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy in Northeast Florida since moving to Jacksonville as co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1993. Since her historic gift of $50 million in 2012 establishing the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund, she has partnered with The Community Foundation on her philanthropy through numerous, multi-million dollar gifts, including the Foundation’s largest-ever gift of $61 million in 2023. She has established designated funds for more than four dozen nonprofits, including 20 that receive ongoing annual support through the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund, est. 2015. Today, her grantmaking exceeds $209 million, with support for more than 300 organizations in Northeast Florida and beyond.
About Our Children’s Trust
We believe the courts are vital to democracy and empowered to protect our children and the planet. Without a stable climate system, every natural resource we rely on to exercise our basic human rights—life, liberty, home, happiness—is under threat. That’s why we’re powering young people asserting their constitutional rights to a safe, livable climate, in court. Our work will be achieved when there is universal recognition of children’s climate rights by courts around the world and children’s fundamental rights to life on this planet are protected.