 The leadership of Pierre S.
duPont III
In 1985, Pierre S. duPont III, an active Board member of
United Way of Delaware and Longwood Foundation, realized that the
charitable needs of Delaware's nonprofit agencies and institutions
were more than existing resources could support. He was concerned
that most fund-raising efforts were directed at meeting current
operating needs and that none were focused on raising endowments to
meet the ever-increasing needs of the future.
DuPont believed that one solution to these problems
would be the creation of a community foundation. He knew that many
communities already had established foundations; the oldest in
Cleveland was begun in 1914, and now has over $1.5 billion in
assets. (Today there are more than
650 community foundations in the
U.S.) It was duPont's vision that led to the creation of the
Delaware Community Foundation in July 1986.
Early DCF leaders
DuPont approached DuPont CEO Edward G. Jefferson and
Hercules CEO Alexander F.Giacco for help in recruiting Board
leadership for the project. John J. Quindlen was asked to become
Chairman of the first DCF Board with Arden B. Engebretsen as
Vice-Chairman. The first Board Meeting was held in December 1986.
Chaired by Quindlen, 19 men and woman from across the state resolved
to "encourage greater philanthropy."
A distinguished group of founders, including Donald
L Cielewich, Harry Corless, Brian J. Donnelly, Mrs. H.B. duPont,
Pierre S. duPont III, Giacco, James H. Gilliam, Sr., Genevieve Gore,
Howard M. Handleman, Richard E. Heckert, Robert M. Hoyt, Jefferson,
William C. Lickle, Thomas L. McFalls, Irving S. Shapiro, Jeremiah P.
Shea, and Bernard J. Taylor, provided start-up operating support and
encouragement. Seed money was provided locally by the News-Journal
and nationally by the Gannett Foundation. DuPont's son Gov. Pierre S.
(Pete) duPont IV later successfully chaired the DCF's Founding Donor
Campaign.
The DCF has continued to have an influential and
dedicated Board of Directors. In addition to Quindlen, past chairmen
include Jeremiah P. Shea, Elisabeth S. Poole, Paul R. Fine, Sherman
L.Townsend, Edward J. Bassett, Judith H. Hoopes and D. Wayne Holden.
Donald R. Kirtley is the Chairman
of the current Board of Directors.
Support from the state
The DCF received the endorsement of Governor Michael N.
Castle and the State of Delaware in July 1989. The state provided a
$2 million grant "to be used as an investment in the charitable
future of Delaware." Since that time,
the Foundation has awarded hundreds of capital grants, funded mainly through the State of Delaware Fund.
Professional leadership
At first, the Foundation functioned exclusively with
volunteers, but it soon became apparent that a full-time
professional employee was needed to oversee its day-to-day
activities. Collis O. Townsend was hired and began work on November
1, 1987 as Executive Director. The DuPont Co. contributed office
space for him on the ground floor of the Nemours Building. Townsend
worked tirelessly to promote the Foundation throughout the state.
With the growth of the foundation came additional
staff and a series of moves. Today, the DCF has its main office in
the Community Service Building in downtown Wilmington and has added
an office on The Circle in Georgetown. Collis Townsend, who ended his term as Executive
Director in February 2001, was succeeded by Dr. Paul C. King Jr.
Fred C. Sears II has been President and CEO of the Foundation since
December 2002.
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