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.

2010 Capital Grants Applications are now available! This year, the Delaware Community Foundation will award over $300,000 in capital and equipment grants. The deadline is January 29, 2010.

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. 

NOW e-FILE YOUR FUND FOR WOMEN GRANT APPLICATION! The Fund For Women is now accepting grant applications for their 2010 awards and for the first time, you can e-mail your application! Since 1994, The Fund For Women has given more than $1.2 million to 216 nonprofit organizations statewide that support programs for women and girls. You can click on the following links to download information about their workshops for first-time applicants, application criteria and guidelines and the new electronic grants application. Applications are due January 31, 2010.

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 reinformcement of academic achievement and/or extracurricular activities.

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

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.

For guidelines and application for YPB for Sussex County click here.

The Next Generation Grants

Up to $20,000 in grants may be awarded by The Next Generation in January 2010. For the third year, TNG's philanthropic focus will be to fund out-of-school programs for at-risk 10-14 year olds that address the underlying social factors that contribute to low graduation rates, teen pregnancy and drug abuse. For a sample application letter, click here. To review sample grant guidelines, click here. And, for copy of the application, click here. The deadline for submissions was October 14, 2009.