Rebecca Klug | Delaware Community Foundation

Author Archive for Rebecca Klug

Bryant Garcia and Stuart Comstock-Gay talking into mics at a table

Building Opportunity for Latino Communities | Bryant Garcia

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Friday, January 24th, 2020

· No Comments

Welcome to week two of our new podcast!

In our second episode, Bryant Garcia, immigration program coordinator at La Esperanza in Georgetown, talks about building opportunity for Latino communities.

Our nine-episode Building Opportunity in Delaware podcast series focuses on how can we build opportunity and strengthen community for all. DCF President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay talks with Delawareans who are building opportunity through the arts, faith communities, libraries and everything in between.

You can listen and subscribe on Apple, Spotify. and Google Podcasts.

Building a Legacy of Giving: Bart Dalton & Tony Lunger

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

· No Comments

When your financial goals include philanthropy, the Delaware Community Foundation can help you make your charitable giving simple, joyful and powerful. This includes helping your trusted financial advisor help you.

Recently, Tony Lunger, market manager for Delaware Wilmington Trust Wealth Advisory Services, and his client Bart Dalton, Esq. began working with the DCF to maximize Dalton’s philanthropic impact. We sat down with them to talk about their experience with the DCF.

Defining a Strategy for Giving

When Dalton decided to increase his giving and to give more strategically, Lunger pointed him to the DCF.

“There are lots of hurdles to be met with private foundations,” Lunger said, “which is why Wilmington Trust has a whole group that does foundation administration. It’s complicated, especially the taxes. A donor advised fund seemed to be the best fit for what Bart was trying to accomplish.”

A donor advised fund at the DCF includes all record keeping and accounting, various investment options, and access to a wealth of community and grantmaking expertise.

“The DCF is a prominent institution in this community,” Lunger said. “I consider the DCF to be synonymous with donor advised funds. We know there are others, but the DCF has been doing this for a long time and has a great reputation.”

A Vision for the Future

The donor advised fund Dalton set up at the DCF allows him to support the causes he’s most passionate about, education and criminal justice reform, with grants to Nativity Prep, the Ministry of Caring, the Equal Justice Initiative, the Foundation of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Beau Biden Foundation and others.

Dalton’s desire to help others reflects the primary reason people give, Lunger said, even outweighing tax deductions. “First and foremost, philanthropy satisfies a basic human impulse to help and to give back.”

Dalton and Lunger agreed that tax benefits are only part of the motivation for giving. “You could just hand the IRS a check and not have any liability,” Dalton said, “but there are so many good people out there who could use just a little bit of help. And it’s a wonderful thing if you’ve been put in a circumstance where you can help things here and there.”

Through the donor advised fund, Dalton said, he gets to have a very hands-on approach to helping others. He appreciates the DCF’s easy-to-use online donor portal, which makes it simple to incorporate his DCF fund into his broader investment strategies.

Establishing a Legacy of Giving

An important part of giving for Dalton is establishing a legacy for future generations of his family. His goal, he said, is to have his three grandchildren sitting around a table together making decisions about the fund he has set up, still involved in helping the community in an ongoing way and understanding what we all get out of philanthropy.

“The DCF works very closely with clients’ advisors,” said Joan Hoge-North, DCF vice president for philanthropy, “and we often partner for the long term to help create a customized plan to help achieve a client’s unique charitable goals, realize tax benefits and maximize impact.”

Find out More!

To learn more about how the DCF can help you enhance your charitable giving, contact Joan Hoge-North at 302.504.5224.

Read a more in-depth version of this article that appeared in Delaware Banker magazine.

Guests James and Deborah Fallows recording podcast with the DCF's Stuart Comstock-Gay

How Communities Build Opportunity | James & Deborah Fallows

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Wednesday, January 8th, 2020

· No Comments

We’re excited to welcome you to our Building Opportunity in Delaware podcast!

How can we build opportunity and strengthen community for all? Over the next eight weeks, DCF President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay talks with Delawareans who are building opportunity through the arts, faith communities, libraries and everything in between.

Our first episode features James & Deborah Fallows, authors of Our Towns: A 100, 000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America. The Fallows joined us in November as the guest speakers for the DCF’s 2019 Building Opportunity Keynote, when they also had a chance to visit Wilmington revitalization projects downtown, on the West Side, and in Riverside. They later featured the Our Lens Challenge, a photo contest for Delaware high school students hosted by the DCF and community partners, in an article for The Atlantic.

You can listen and subscribe on Apple, Spotify. and Google Podcasts.

Attendees at the DCF's 2019 Focus Grants Workshop

2020 DCF Focus Grant Applications Open to Delaware Nonprofits

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Monday, January 6th, 2020

· No Comments

Delaware nonprofits are invited to apply for the Delaware Community Foundation’s (DCF’s) 2020 Focus Grants.

DCF Focus Grants will support organizations and initiatives working to build opportunity so all Delaware residents can overcome barriers to success, benefit equitably and thrive. Grants will be awarded in two focus areas: Increasing Youth Success (Statewide) and Supporting Delaware’s Growing Latino Communities (Sussex County).

Most Focus Grants will range from $10,000 to $20,000, with a maximum award of $25,000. Focus Grants are underwritten by the Delaware Forever Fund, the discretionary fund of the DCF.

The deadline for Focus Grants is February 14. Applicants will be notified of decisions in late June.

To help interested nonprofits prepare applications, the DCF will present three optional workshops:

• Wilmington: January 22, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Wilmington Public Library
• Dover: January 23, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Dover Public Library
• Georgetown: January 24, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Georgetown Public Library

Participants must register for workshops 24 hours in advance. Participation in workshops is optional and will not influence funding decisions.

To register for the workshops and for more information, visit delcf.org/grants.

Large group of Fund for Women members with grant check

DCF Fund for Women Accepting Grant Applications for 2020

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Thursday, January 2nd, 2020

· No Comments

Nonprofits helping women and girls in Delaware are invited to apply for grants from the Fund for Women (FFW) at the Delaware Community Foundation.

The FFW’s grants offer organizations an opportunity to obtain seed money for innovative, creative programming or to continue or expand programs in which the program’s effectiveness has been demonstrated. The funded project must be completed in one year.

The FFW accepts applications from nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations for initiatives related to health, wellness and life skills that lead to future economic self-sufficiency for girls and women in Delaware. No grants are awarded for individuals. Organizations that have received a FFW grant for all of the last three consecutive years (2017, 2018 and 2019) are not eligible.

Completed applications are due by Jan. 31, 2019. Apply online at delcf.org/grants. Only online applications will be accepted.

Presentation slides from the FFW’s December grant workshop are available at fundforwomende.com/grants, and specific grant guidelines can be found at delcf.org/grants.

Romeo and Juliet in the middle of an audience during a performance by Delaware Shakespeare

Grants Available for Four Targeted Areas

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Thursday, December 5th, 2019

· No Comments

Delaware nonprofits are invited to apply for the Delaware Community Foundation’s Specific Interest Grants, awarded from funds created at the DCF by donors for very specific purposes.

Starting on Monday, Dec. 9, grant applications will be accepted for programs to support:

• Delawareans in need of long-term health care.
• Small grants for arts in Wilmington.
• Fulfillment of terminally ill children’s wishes.
• Support animals and animal welfare.

An independent committee, formed of community leaders who are knowledgeable in these subject areas, selects grant recipients within the parameters established by the donors.

The deadline for Specific Interest Grants is Jan. 17, 2020. Applicants will be notified of decisions in March.

To apply or for more information, visit delcf.org/grants.

Photo: 2019 Community Tour performance of Romeo and Juliet by previous grant recipient Delaware Shakespeare.

Two young women - members of Kent County YPB - speaking at a podium

Grants Available from DCF’s Kent & Sussex Youth Philanthropy Boards

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019

· No Comments

Delaware nonprofit organizations serving Kent and Sussex County are invited to apply for grants from the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) Kent and Sussex Youth Philanthropy Boards (YPB).

The Kent and Sussex County YPBs will award $10,000 each. Typical awards are $1,000-$2,500. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 1, 2020.

Each county’s board will award grants to programs supporting a unique focus area:

The Kent County YPB will consider organizations supporting programs that address mental health, substance abuse, or veterans’ needs in Kent County.

The Sussex County YPB will consider nonprofit organizations that focus on supporting and educating students through programs that address mental health, substance abuse, and/or sexual health, with a preference toward services that can be provided by wellness centers.

Organizations may apply for grants from each county’s YPB. To be eligible, the program for which funding is requested must directly benefit residents of that county and fall within that county’s unique focus area.

Grant requests must be submitted online through the link at delcf.org/grants. Information about New Castle County YPB’s grants also is available at this link. Applicants will be notified in each county in April 2020.

The DCF sponsors the YPBs to encourage younger generations to become more involved in philanthropy. Each board, composed of high school students from public, private and parochial schools, is allotted a pool of money to give as charitable grants. The students learn about philanthropy and effective grant-making, study youth issues in their neighborhoods and schools, solicit grant proposals, and award grants to those they determine to be most deserving.

Retired Delaware educator Phyllis Wynn established the Youth Philanthropy Fund in 1999 because she wanted to encourage youth to become more involved in philanthropic ventures. Students who serve on the YPB are nominated by their principal or guidance counselor.

“The Youth Philanthropy Board program gives students an opportunity to enjoy the pleasure and the challenges of charitable giving, including determining how to make the greatest impact on quality of life with the limited resources available,” said DCF President and CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay. “It’s an important program because we are cultivating the philanthropists of tomorrow.”

scholarship recipient in commencement gown and stole

DCF Announces Scholarships Available for 2020-2021 School Year

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Monday, December 2nd, 2019

· No Comments

Delaware students are invited to apply for scholarships available through the Delaware Community Foundation. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2020.

Last year, the DCF awarded scholarships totaling $378,650 to 193 students to assist them in pursuing higher education. Students can apply for most scholarships by completing a single online application, available at delcf.org/scholarships.

On the website, students can review all criteria and award amounts before beginning the application process. Candidates also can view the DCF Scholarship Compendium, with information on all available scholarships.

The online application system guides applicants through a series of questions to determine which scholarships they may be eligible for. Students are automatically considered for every scholarship for which they meet the minimum criteria.

There is no cap on the number of scholarships or the amount students may receive. Funding from many of the scholarships may be applied to the costs of textbooks and fees, in addition to tuition. Some are one-time awards, and others are renewable.

“Many of our donors who care about education choose to create scholarship funds to help students and their families with rising college costs,” DCF President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay said. “Our goal is to empower people who care about education with people who are engaged about their futures.”

For more information, contact Kelly Sheridan, 302.856.4393.

DCF New Castle County Youth Philanthropy Board

Grants Available from DCF’s New Castle County Youth Philanthropy Board

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Tuesday, November 19th, 2019

· No Comments

$15,000 available for New Castle County nonprofits

New Castle County nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for grants from the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) Youth Philanthropy Board (YPB).

The YPB will consider applications for programs that advance equity and opportunity for at-risk youth with special consideration given to programs providing financial literacy, life skill training with a trauma informed approach, or addressing the challenges of recidivism.

Grant requests must be submitted at delcf.org/grants by 5 p.m. on Dec. 20. Applicants will be notified in April 2019.

Pictured above:

Front Row (L – R):
Jalia Lawrence, Senior, Mt. Pleasant High School
Eric Tlaseca-Morales, Junior, St. Georges Technical High School
Jessica Smith, Senior, Cab Calloway School of the Arts
Riley Cuddy, Senior, Tower Hill School
Caelin Foley, Junior, Delcastle Technical High School
Amber Cooke, Junior, Appoquinimink High School

Back Row (L-R):
Sam Margolies, Senior, A.I. Dupont High School
Claire Bolarinwa, Sophomore, Archmere Academy
Liam Furlong, Junior, Salesianum High School
Nashawn Smith, Senior, Howard High School
Chloe Nield, Junior, Brandywine High School
Cameron Smith, Junior, Sanford School
Frederick Bolarinwa, Junior, Concord High School
Fiona Fawcett, Sophomore, Concord High School

Not Pictured:
Dennis Chu, Senior, Charter School of Wilmington
Maria Kennedy, Junior, Ursuline Academy
Karen Paredes, Senior, St. Andrews School
Kimmi Woods, Senior, Tatnall School

Caesar Rodney Rotary Fund Accepting Grant Applications for 2020 Projects Serving At-Risk Youth in New Castle County

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Wednesday, October 16th, 2019

· No Comments

The Caesar Rodney Rotary Foundation (CRRF) New Castle County Youth Empowerment Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) will accept grant applications Oct. 15-Nov. 15, 2019.

The grant maximum is $2,500 and is available only to New Castle County nonprofit organizations serving youth and young adults ages birth through 25 years who are underserved and at risk for not having the skills and support for a self-sufficient future.

Grant applications can be accessed through the DCF website, delcf.org/grants. Selections will be made by Dec.6.

The CRRF was formed in 2018, as a means for the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club to accelerate the mission of educating the community and addressing the needs of youth at risk in New Castle County, Delaware. Educating the community includes providing public awareness of the need as well as encouraging volunteer opportunities to address the needs. More information about the CRRF can be found at crrfoundation.org.

This year, the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club is celebrating 30 years of “Service before Self.” The club meets Fridays at 7:30 a.m. at the University and Whist Club, 805 N. Broom Street, Wilmington. More information about the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club can be found at portal.clubrunner.ca/7000.

Proudly powered by WordPress
Built and Designed by 38solutions