Since 1986, the Delaware Community Foundation has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars in the community, enabling us to help improve quality of life in the First State and expand opportunities for all.
Through our Community Impact Grants program, we make direct grants to initiatives throughout the state that demonstrate the greatest potential for impact. For specific requirements and timing, please explore the grant opportunities below.
For more information about the DCF’s grantmaking process, contact Yolanda Rushdan, Program Associate, at 302.504.5239.
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Grant Opportunities
| Location | Grant Opportunities | Detailed Description | Application & Deadline |
| Statewide | COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund |
Grants help Delaware-serving 501(c)3 organizations address a broad range of community needs. The fund will accept additional grant applications on June 1 and June 15. The June grants will target nonprofit organizations – both large and small – playing key roles in various sectors, throughout the state. Organizations may submit only one grant request in June. Organizations currently providing services or preparing to relaunch activity after pandemic-related hiatus are invited to apply, and funding is no longer required to be used in six weeks. The maximum award will be $50,000. |
Next weekly deadline: June 1, 2020 |
| Kent County | Potter Charitable Trust | The Potter Trust, established by Colonel Benjamin Potter in 1843, is one of the oldest trusts in the nation and has helped the economically underprivileged in Kent County for 175 years. |
Deadline: June 30, 2020 |
| Western Sussex County | Nanticoke Rotary Club | Grants support any nonprofit organization, including any qualified school (public or private) on the Delmarva Peninsula, with particular emphasis given to Western Sussex County. | Application now closed. The next application cycle opens Spring 2021. |
| Kent County | Kent County Fund for the Arts | The Kent County Fund for the Arts awarded more than $20,000 in grants in 2019. Applications are accepted from schools, nonprofit and civic/community organizations for programs that help to foster growth of arts organizations in Kent County, as well as those organizations that support the arts. | Application now closed. The next application cycle TBA. |
| Kent County | Potter Charitable Trust | The Potter Trust, established by Colonel Benjamin Potter in 1843, is one of the oldest trusts in the nation and has helped the economically underprivileged in Kent County for 175 years. | Application now closed. The next application cycle opens Spring 2020. |
| Statewide | Highmark Delaware BluePrints for the Community | Highmark Delaware announces an RFP for BluePrints for the Community grants that will fund up to $1 million for organizations addressing opioid addiction in our communities. | Application now closed. |
| Kent and Sussex Counties | The Next Generation – Southern Delaware | Next Gen South supports programs addressing addiction within our local community including, but not limited to, treatment services, addiction prevention and education, mental health services, and to support families who have experienced addiction. |
Application now closed. The next application cycle opens Summer 2020. |
| Statewide | African American Empowerment Fund of Delaware |
The AAEFD funds causes important to the education, social and economic empowerment of African American Delawareans. Their grantmaking focus for 2019 will be education, and more specifically, higher education access and retention. Grant awards will be up to $2,500. |
Application now closed. The next application cycle opens in 2020. |
| New Castle County | The Next Generation – Northern Delaware | Grant focus TBA. | The next application cycle opens in 2020. |
| Statewide | Capital Project Grants |
Grants will support construction, renovation or repair of buildings, and/or land purchases, so nonprofits statewide can operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. Generally, grants will not exceed $25,000 other than on rare occasions due to their exceptional merits, based on the discretion of the DCF Grants Committee. Grants will support organizations and initiatives so all Delaware residents can overcome barriers to success, benefit equitably, and thrive. |
Application now closed. The next application cycle opens Fall 2020. |
| New Castle County | Caesar Rodney Rotary Foundation (CRRF) New Castle County Youth Empowerment Fund |
Available 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 maximum is $2,500 |
Application now closed. |
| New Castle County | Youth Philanthropy Board |
In 2019, grants will support programs in New Castle County that advance equity and opportunity for at-risk youth with special consideration given to programs providing financial literacy, life-skills training with a trauma-informed approach, or that address the challenges of recidivism. Typical award $1,000 – $2,500 per year |
Application now closed. The next application cycle opens in December 2020. |
| Kent County | Youth Philanthropy Board |
In 2019, grants will support programs that address mental health, substance abuse or veterans’ needs in Kent County. Typical award $1,000-$2,500 per year |
Application now closed. The next application cycle opens Fall 2020. |
| Sussex County | Youth Philanthropy Board |
Grants will support nonprofit organizations in Sussex County 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. Typical award $1,000-$2,500 per year |
Application now closed. The next application cycle opens Fall 2020. |
| Statewide, unless otherwise noted | Specific Interest Grants |
There are a variety of funds at the DCF that provide a structured opportunity for eligible nonprofits whose missions align with specific interest areas to apply for grants. These specific areas include: – Delawareans in need of long-term health care |
Application now closed. The next application cycle opens in December 2020. |
| Statewide | Fund for Women | Grants will support initiatives statewide that relate to health, wellness, and life skills that lead to future economic self-sufficiency for girls and women in Delaware. See application for specific focus areas. | Application now closed. The next application cycle begins January 2021. |
| Statewide | Increasing Youth Success Focus Grants |
In 2020, grants will support organizations and initiatives working to build opportunity so all Delaware residents can overcome barriers to success, benefit equitably, and thrive. Investments in youth success are made to organizations statewide that are enabling at-risk, traditionally disadvantaged youth to advance their personal development and resiliency, civic engagement, physical health, educational readiness and achievement from birth to post-secondary. Typical award $10,000 – $20,000 per year; max $25,000 per year |
Application now closed. Next application cycle opens December 2020. |
| Sussex County | Supporting Delaware’s Growing Latino Communities Focus Grants |
In 2020, grants will support organizations and initiatives working to build opportunity so all Delaware residents can overcome barriers to success, benefit equitably, and thrive. Investments in Delaware’s Latino communities are made to initiatives in Sussex County enabling English learners and their families to thrive through expanded educational and community supports and that are building capacity and collaboration of service providers and resources in communities. Typical award $10,000 – $20,000 per year; max $25,000 per year |
Application now closed. Next application cycle opens December 2020. |
| Statewide | Delaware Health Fund Advisory Committee |
School Health and Health Equity Grants will support projects focused on improving health in school settings. Potential grantees include school districts, individual schools and other stakeholders. Funding less than $50,000 per project (additional funding is possible in the future). |
Application now closed. |
| Statewide | Delaware Health Fund Advisory Committee |
Creative Health Innovation Grants will support projects that focus on improving health and health equity and reach beyond incremental changes to explore ideas that are replicable and scalable to influence the future of health in Delaware. Potential grantees include those who may not be currently engaged in promoting health, but who are well connected to high risk communities/populations. Funding less than $50,000 per project (additional funding is possible in the future). |
Application now closed. |