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.

COMING SOON! The Governor's Consortium on Hispanic Affairs will be requesting proposals for the 2010 Delaware Hispanic Community Needs Grants starting June 15, 2010. Funding applications for programs provided by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide English as a Second Language or include an educational focus on family literacy, health literacy and/or financial literacy to Delaware's Hispanic Immigrants are welcomed. The Request for Proposals and Application will be available on this website beginning June 15, 2010. Completed applications will be due by July 16, 2010.

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.

2010 Capital Grants Applications are now CLOSED! This year, the Delaware Community Foundation will award over $300,000 in capital and equipment grants. The deadline was January 29, 2010. Awards will be announced in the summer.

Program Grants

This year, the Delaware Community Foundation’s Grants Committee renewed two program grants to build collaborative initiatives. The Food Bank of Delaware and Easter Seals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore will share over $200,000 in program grants from the Foundation’s unrestricted funds to continue the development of statewide collaborative programs in 2010. The successful proposals led to the establishment of a Domestic Hunger Coalition to increase the amount of food available to Delawareans and created a statewide Lifespan Information Network to address the needs of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions and the elderly.

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. 

FUND FOR WOMEN GRANT APPLICATIONS are now CLOSED! Applications were due January 31, 2010. Awards will be announced in the spring.

Youth Philanthropy Board (YPB) Grants

The YPB for Kent County will award grants totaling $10,000 to programs that benefit youth in Kent County. This year, YPB for Kent County will consider programs that provide support for minors who are affected by abusive situations. Additional consideration will be given for programs that encompass reinforcement of academic achievement and/or extracurricular activities.

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

The YPB for Sussex County will award grants totaling $10,000 to programs from schools, clubs, and civic/community organizations that help students in grades 8 through 12 stay on track toward productive, academic and career goals.

Extra consideration will be given to programs that emphasize the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse and/or provide basic necessities (i.e., food transportation and supplies) to students in need.

The deadline for the Youth Philanthropy Board for Sussex County 2010 Grants program was January 7, 2010. Awards will be announced in the spring.

The Next Generation Grants

The Next Generation awarded $25,000 in grants to five nonprofit organizations that help connect at-risk youth that promote success in and out of school at their Annual Grants Reception on March 10. To view the official press release, click here.