ILA Scholarship Fund marks 30 years of giving in Jacksonville

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The column below originally appeared in the May 18, 2025 Sunday edition of The Florida Times-Union.

by JAXPORT Board Member Charles Spencer, Founder of ILA Local 1408 Scholarship Fund

Looking back, it’s hard to believe it has been three decades since we kicked off the ILA local 1408 Scholarship Fund. What started with a modest $20,000 in donations from fellow port union workers in 1995 has grown into a thriving Fund, supported by generous outside donors, corporate sponsors, and funds raised through our annual fundraising golf tournament.

In 2025, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of providing scholarships to deserving students who dream of a college education—many of whom are first-generation college students. The Fund is named in honor of ILA Local 1408, the union that represents many of the dedicated dock workers who keep Jacksonville’s seaport running smoothly.

People often ask me why I’m so passionate about supporting education, and my answer is simple: Every child, regardless of their family’s financial situation, deserves access to a quality education.

For me, the inspiration for this journey began decades ago when two of my own children were attending universities in Tallahassee at the same time. Back then, there was no scholarship for our family, and I witnessed firsthand how quickly the costs of housing, tuition, and books can accumulate.

It became clear to me that many parents, like myself, find it challenging to fully support their children’s educational dreams. This reality is even more pressing today, as economic challenges continue to impact so many families in our community.

My mother taught me the importance of helping others, saying that when you keep your hand open, while you may give a lot, you also invite more in. And, indeed, more has come in. Over the years, as the port has grown, many union members have continued to give back, and our corporate sponsors have generously supported us year after year.

This momentum has enabled us to expand our reach and provide even more students with the opportunity to pursue their higher education goals. To date, we’ve awarded 1,035 scholarships, totaling over one million dollars. We would not have reached this point without the incredible generosity of our partners, sponsors, and the Jacksonville community.

One thing that truly sets our Fund apart is the caliber of our scholarship recipients. More than 90% of ILA Local 1408 Scholarship Fund recipients graduate from college, and nearly half of them continue their education to earn master’s degrees or beyond.

As part of the application process, students submit an essay addressing a maritime industry issue. This gives them the chance to research the supply chain in-depth—from transportation and trucking to trade and logistics—helping them gain a greater understanding of this vast and essential industry. The goal is to open their minds to the numerous career opportunities available in a sector critical to our local, state, and national economies.

I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the ILA Local 1408 membership for their unwavering contributions to the Fund over the years. These workers are the backbone of our nation’s supply chain, and their support has been invaluable in my role as a labor advocate. For that, I am truly grateful.

Reaching the milestone of 30 years is an accomplishment few organizations achieve. To mark this special occasion, we’ve set an ambitious fundraising goal to award more scholarships than ever before. While economic uncertainty may present challenges, we are determined to ensure that even more students receive the support they need to succeed.

If you’re interested in getting involved, please visit ilascholarshipfund.org/ to learn more.

Thank you too all of our donors over the years for your continued support, and here’s to the next 30 years of empowering students and building brighter futures.