The Delaware Community Foundation's Grants Committee oversees all grant making, subject to approval of the Board of Directors. The Foundation awards grants for charitable purposes to nonprofit organizations with a 501(c) (3) designation issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Agencies receiving Foundation grants must serve the State of Delaware and its residents without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin or sexual orientation.

Capital and Program Grants

Capital grants are designed to support projects that have a lasting, positive impact on the population or region served by the organization. Capital grants may be used to fund construction, major renovation or repair of buildings and/or the purchase of land as well as to a limited degree, the purchase of needed equipment. Capital grants typically range from $5,000 to $20,000, with a maximum award of $25,000. Equipment grants generally range from $2,000 to $7,000, with a maximum award of $10,000.

The deadline for the 2009 Capital Grants Program was January 30, 2009.

Capital Grants Program Information

Guidelines and Application for Capital Grants click here

Program Grants

This year, the Delaware Community Foundation’s Grants Committee goal to find collaborative programs that will benefit citizens statewide was met by not just one, but three proposed initiatives. The Food Bank of Delaware, Easter Seals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and the Trustees of Color will share nearly $230,000 in program grants from the Foundation’s unrestricted funds to develop statewide collaborative programs in 2009. The successful proposals will lead to the establishment of a Domestic Hunger Coalition to increase the amount of food available to Delawareans and to create a statewide Lifespan Information Network to address the needs of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions and the elderly. The third award will support the work of the Trustees of Color’s Delaware Nonprofit Inclusiveness Initiative to successfully engage new leaders and diversify nonprofit boards throughout the First State. 

Each program will benefit from the best practices of the Delaware Aging Network, the collaborative effort supported by the Foundation that helped Delaware’s senior citizens meet the challenges of remaining independent. The three-year grant funded initiative not only produced a nationally recognized transportation model in Sussex County, but also brought together more than 40 agencies to coordinate their efforts to serve seniors.

Fund For Women Grants

The Fund typically awards single-year grants relating to the education of girls and women in such areas as health, wellness and life skills which will lead to future economic self-sufficiency. The Fund offer a unique opportunity to obtain seed money for innovative, creative programming. Programs that include collaboration with public, private or other not-for-profit agencies; develop the leadership skills of girls and women; address unmet needs and promote the value of giving will be considered. The Fund for Women does not support capital funding, debt reduction or endowment campaigns. The Fund For Women accepts applications from non-profit, tax-exempt, (501(c)(3) organizations for programs that address unmet needs, enhance the worth and potential of women and girls in Delaware and help them to lead productive, self-sufficient lives. FFW grants offer organizations an opportunity to obtain seed money for innovative, creative programming or to continue or expand programs whose effectiveness has been demonstrated. 

 
The deadline for Fund For Women's 2009 Grants Program was January 30, 2009.

Application for FFW Grant click here

The 2009 FFW Awards will be presented on May 21, 2009.

Youth Philanthropy Board (YPB) Grants

The YPB for Kent County awarded grants totaling $10,000 to programs that benefit youth in Kent County. This year, YPB for Kent County will consider organizations that provide interactive mentoring and/or tutoring programs for students in grades 5 through 8 that demonstrate a positive effect. Additional consideration will be given to programs that focus on drug and alcohol prevention.

To view the recipients of the 2009 YPB Kent County Awards click here

The YPB for New Castle County will award grants totaling $15,000 to programs that benefit youth in New Castle County. This year, YPB for New Castle County will consider programs that support children in middle school through high school that have engaged or are engaging in risky or negative behaviors such as becoming pregnant, abusing drugs or alcohol or dropping out of high school.

The deadline for the Youth Philanthropy Board for Sussex County 2009 Grants program was January 9, 2009.

Sample application for YPB for Sussex County click here

The Next Generation Grants

TNG’s 2009 grant applications process is closed! Grants were awarded in February 2009 to support programs for 10 to 14-year-olds that address the underlying social factors that contribute to low graduation rates, teen pregnancy and drug abuse. Specifically, TNG will help fund out-of-school programs that incorporate other family members, role models or peers to help address these factors. You'll find links to the guidelines, cover letter and application here. The deadline for submissions was October 1, 2008.

To view the recipients of the 2009 TNG Awards click here