Announcing the launch of the Wolfburg Fund for Social Justice in Education
Brian and Jake Wolfburg established the Fund at JPEF to support educators advancing social justice.
6/23/2020
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 23, 2020 — The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is proud to announce the creation of the Wolfburg Fund for Social Justice in Education, an enduring gift to advance the work of Duval County educators committed to social justice.
Brian and Jake Wolfburg are establishing the Fund at JPEF to promote diversity, inclusion and equity in public schools in recognition of the diverse fabric of their family, to include their relationship and their adopted son, Asher. Brian Wolfburg is the CEO of VyStar Credit Union, the largest credit union headquartered in Northeast Florida.
"Every person is different in some way, shape or form, and we must strive to celebrate those differences, because they are what make our families, communities and the world so amazing,” the Wolfburgs said. “We want to work to have a positive impact on our community for generations to come."
The Fund is launching with an exciting professional learning opportunity for teachers and their students: The Wolfburg Fellowship. This Fellowship opportunity will help teachers and student leaders deepen their knowledge around issues relating to social justice, diversity and inclusion, and to implement an aligned action research project in their school community. The Wolfburg Fellowship will provide $7,000 annually, to include $3,000 for the Fellow’s participation in a quality professional learning experience in social justice, $2,000 for the Fellow’s school-based action research project, $1,500 for the Fellow’s participation in JPEF’s professional learning opportunities and $500 for students to lead change alongside the Fellow, as age-appropriate.
The Fellowship will be given to one teacher annually as a named grant and announced publicly to recognize teachers who have demonstrated an interest in and talent for ensuring equitable access to supportive learning environments for students in diverse and low-income school communities. JPEF is proud to support this work as part of our commitment to closing the opportunity gap for low-income students and students of color in Duval County.
In an effort to fully fund this work on an ongoing basis, Brian and Jake have made an initial gift of $50,000 to JPEF and are committed to ultimately endowing the Fund so that it benefits educators in perpetuity. The Wolfburgs also welcome the support of like-minded individuals and organizations to best achieve the necessary change through gifts to the endowed fund.
Teachers can learn about the eligibility criteria and find out how to apply at jaxpef.org/wolfburg.
Brian and Jake Wolfburg are available to speak with the media.
Contact Stephanie Garry Garfunkel, Director of Marketing & Communications, at (352) 359-2393 or stephanie@jaxpef.org for more information.
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About the Jacksonville Public Education Fund
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is a research-driven independent nonprofit organization that is working to close the opportunity gap for low-income students and students of color in Duval County. We believe public schools have made tremendous progress over the last ten years, but we cannot stop working until every student is prepared for success in college, career and life. We spread equity-focused best practices in schools by building the capacity of school leaders, teacher leaders and parent leaders. For more information: www.jaxpef.org.