The Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation today awarded $175,000 to 13 nonprofit organizations providing services to communities throughout the state.

Today’s grants will address a broad range of community needs during the pandemic. Grantees are:

• Connecting Generations – $10,000 for staff to train volunteers on virtual mentoring.
• Delaware Zoological Society – $8,000 to purchase video equipment to create a virtual traveling zoo experience.
• Jewish Family Services – $25,000 to support specialized care for individuals with dementia.
• Leading Youth Through Empowerment (LYTE) – $15,000 for teachers and curriculum for the fall virtual program.
• NCALL – $25,000 for a foreclosure prevention program.
• Ingleside – $25,000 for delivery of meals for frail and low-income seniors.
• Delaware Theatre Company – $1,750 for technology to provide outdoor theater.
• Ronald McDonald House – $10,000 for temporary staff to provide guest services normally provided by volunteers. .
• Harry K Foundation – $13,000 to restock and re-open food pantries statewide that provide for meals for students.
• Newark Symphony Orchestra – $7,500 for technology to provide virtual symphony programming.
• The Precision Institute – $2,500 for driving simulation equipment for neurodiverse people.
• Sewell C. Biggs Trust (Biggs Museum of American Art) – $7,250 for technology, supplies and materials to provide a virtual arts programming.
• Children & Families First – $25,000 to provide cell phones, tablets and signal boosters for clients receiving virtual services.

The fund, which launched on March 18, has awarded $3.4 million to more than 150 Delaware nonprofits so far. Through the Community Needs Grants Program, the fund awarded weekly grants March 27-May 22, two rounds of grants in June, and monthly grants in July, August and September.

The Community Needs Grants Program will offer three additional rounds of grants in early 2021. For more information, visit delcf.org/community-needs-grants.