At the Delaware Community Foundation, we believe that communities are strongest when all people have the opportunity to thrive, and our Board of Directors passed a resolution to reinforce our longstanding commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. Among our work to advance equity are initiatives including:
Building Opportunity
The DCF is committed to building opportunity for all and advancing racial equity. On October 13, 2021, we are thrilled to host Heather McGhee as our featured Building Opportunity Keynote speaker. McGhee’s New York Times best-seller The Sum of Us captures her journey across our country, talking with Americans of all races along the way. Join us in October for this virtual presentation and join a Book Circle to get her book for free.
Strengthening Latino Communities
In partnership with the Arsht-Cannon Fund, University of Delaware and others to increase our communities’ knowledge and understanding of our thriving Latino communities through the important report, Latino Communities in Sussex County, Delaware.
Community Equity Project
In 2019, we launched the Community Equity Project, convening a cohort of community leaders to create a shared vision and set of priorities to address lasting challenges in our communities.
Grantmaking
The DCF is working to increase equity in all of our grantmaking processes, including revamping our applications, offering additional support for applicants and revising our policies and procedures. In 2021, we also partnered with Barclays to create the new Leadership in Community Grants program to support leaders of color in Delaware and the organizations and communities they serve. Learn more about this year’s grantees here.
We are taking action. We are committing to the long-term institutional work we know is necessary. We will empower the community to lead, and advance difficult conversations about systemic racism and how we collectively can drive real change. We will drive equity at every step of our grantmaking process.
Join our Building Opportunity mailing list to receive occasional information about ways to get involved.