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A Link in the Chain: Ending Cycles of Violence and Socioeconomic Inequality in Wilmington

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Wednesday, June 24th, 2020

· 1 Comment

Margaret Guy, executive director of Stop the Violence Prayer Chain Foundation, talks about providing educational and social services to children and families who live at or below the poverty level, and who are often impacted by domestic and gun violence.

Stop the Violence Prayer Chain Foundation received $2,500 in grants from the Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund to continue providing essential supplies for children in Wilmington during the crisis. In the past, the organization has offered after-school tutoring, educational trips, life-skills classes and apprenticeships, and has even partnered with Comcast to produce a children’s show. Now they’re finding new ways to connect with a community affected by the social and economic impacts of the pandemic.

We also talk with Sheila Bravo, president & CEO of the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA) and one of the DCF’s key partners in establishing the Strategic Response Fund.

All six episodes in this second season of Building Opportunity will feature stories about how the Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund has helped nonprofits meet the needs of our community during this crisis. DCF President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay is our host.

You can listen and subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. Find all podcast episodes at delcf.org/podcast.

$108,760 Awarded from Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund to 13 Nonprofits

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Monday, June 8th, 2020

· No Comments

$50,000 earmarked for grants to minority-led organizations serving communities most affected by pandemic.

In its ninth round of grants, the Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund on Friday awarded $108,760 to 13 nonprofit organizations providing services to communities throughout the state.

The fund also earmarked $50,000 to create a new initiative to increase equity in Delaware by strengthening smaller nonprofits (operating budgets $250K and under) led by and serving people of color, who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Specifics will be determined in the coming weeks.

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

Absolutely Flawless Women — $5,000 to provide meals for families in Indian River School District.
Bellevue Community Center — $10,000 to provide fresh produce to underserved families in Wilmington.
Chinese American Community Center — $8,000 to support virtual programming and operations of the facility in Hockessin.
Clear Space Theatre Company — $10,000 to support operations.
Delaware Center for Horticulture — $10,000 to mobilize home gardeners to grow and donate produce statewide.
Delaware Zoological Society — $10,000 to support zoo operations and virtual programming.
Joshua M. Freeman Foundation — $10,000 to convert the Freeman Stage’s free, weekly Young Audience Series to a virtual program.
Laurel Public Library — $3,900 for a UV sanitation machine for books and materials.
Lewes Public Library — $10,000 for equipment to support virtual programming.
Merakey Allos — $6,500 for equipment to provide services for individuals with intellectual disabilities at Delaware group homes.
Paws for People — $4,000 to support virtual pet therapy and reading programs statewide.
Siegel JCC — $16,360 for equipment to facilitate safely reopening the facility in Wilmington.
Wilmington & Western Railroad — $5,000 for equipment to facilitate safely reopening the historical railroad.

In this ninth round of grants, 51 applicants requested $1.3 million from the COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund, which is housed at the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF).

The fund, which launched on March 18, has awarded $2.5 million to 107 Delaware nonprofits so far. The fund awarded grants each week March 27-May 22 and paused for a week before awarding Friday’s grants.

Next Applications Due June 15

The fund will accept additional grant applications on June 15 at delcf.org/covid-grants.

The grants have been targeting a combination of immediate needs and broader community needs, including the arts, culture, the environment, workforce development, animal welfare and others.

The June grants are target nonprofit organizations – both large and small – playing key roles in various sectors, throughout the state.

While we cannot address the sustainability of every nonprofit organization, the goal of these grants is to strengthen the sustainability of the sectors traditionally upheld by nonprofits, including health and social services, education, the environment, workforce development, animal welfare, the arts, culture and others.

These grants target solvent nonprofit organizations with solid plans for long-term fiscal sustainability and strong leadership and management. The plans should be responsive to the changing environment for funding, as well as evolving community needs. Organizations with a history of serving populations most affected by the pandemic will be favored.

New Grants Programs to Be Announced for Second Half of 2020

The Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund will continue to award grants at least through the end of 2020.

Two new grants programs will be announced on Friday, June 12 at delcf.org/covid-grants. Details are not yet available.

Double the Impact of Your Gift

The council is actively raising money to be able to respond to community needs, said DCF President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay.

“As the pandemic continues, the needs are growing and evolving,” Comstock-Gay said. “We are calling on the community to help local nonprofit organizations get food, shelter, medical care and other essential services directly to the people who need it most. We also must support our workforce, arts community and other sectors to restore our quality of life post-COVID-19.”

The Longwood Foundation, which previously gave $1.5 million to the Strategic Response Fund, recently awarded a $500,000 grant, with the stipulation that the DCF must raise a matching $500,000 from the community by Aug. 31.

To make a gift that qualifies for the match, give at delcf.org/covid19-fund or contact Joan Hoge-North.

About the Fund

The Strategic Response Fund was established to address the state’s emerging and evolving needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grantees are selected through a rigorous process that involves a diverse team of more than 50 community leaders representing all three counties and a range of areas of expertise. Final decisions are made by the COVID-19 Community Needs Grants Council:

April Birmingham, M&T Bank
Sheila Bravo, president, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA), ex officio
Vernita Dorsey, WSFSAlan Levin, SoDel Concepts
Leslie Newman, retired CEO, Children & Families First
Todd Veale, executive director, Laffey-McHugh Foundation
Enid Wallace-Simms, Delmarva Power
Amy Walls, Discover Bank

The fund, which is being directed by Philanthropy Delaware President Cynthia Pritchard, already includes generous gifts from the Longwood Foundation ($1.5 million), Barclays ($500,000), New Castle County ($500,000), Welfare Foundation ($200,000), CSC ($100,000), Crestlea Foundation ($100,000), Fund for Women ($100,000), Highmark ($100,000), Laffey-McHugh ($100,000), Discover ($75,000), DCF ($75,000), DuPont ($75,000), M&T ($50,000), JP Morgan Chase ($30,000), Bank of America ($25,000), TD Bank ($25,000), WSFS Bank ($25,000) and others. The DCF also has waived all administrative fees for this fund, so that 100 percent of the funds are going to organizations helping people in need.

The Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund is part of the Delaware COVID-19 Emergency Response Initiative, a nonprofit collaborative response to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The DCF, DANA, PD and United Way of Delaware are partnering to coordinate charitable resources to maximize impact statewide during this crisis.

To contribute, visit delcf.org/covid19-fund.

Mark Carter of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and the DCF's Stuart Comstock-Gay recording podcast episode

Podcast Series Finale: Mark Carter, Beer & Benevolence Director at Dogfish Head

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Friday, March 13th, 2020

· No Comments

This first round of DCF podcasts concludes with a slightly different take. Dogfish Head beer is one of this state’s proud successes. And Sussex County local Mark Carter is the guy heading up their work in the community. Mark is committed to a healthy environment, committed to his kids, and an incredibly active member of numerous organizations – including the Delaware Nature Society, Milton Historical Society, Lewes Chamber of Commerce and others. He is also a former information officer for the US Marine Corps.

In this interview, we talk about how a private company can play an important role in building opportunity in our communities. Beyond the mere fact of employing many people, Dogfish Head has a deep commitment to strong communities.

Mark also talks about the role of the employees of Dogfish Head – being active as volunteers, suggesting projects for the company, and caring deeply about the places they call home. Their community work “permeates the brewery,” says Mark.

Mark probably hast the coolest job title of anybody I’ve met, but for him, it’s the coolest job, too – or as he says, “probably 99.9% the best job there…” Check it out, and hear his passion and commitment.

Listen to all nine episodes of Building Opportunity in Delaware at delcf.org/podcast.

How Businesses Build Opportunity | Mark Carter

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Friday, March 13th, 2020

· No Comments

Mark Carter, director of Beer & Benevolence, the charitable arm of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, talks about the role of businesses in building opportunity.

A Kent County native and Marine Corp veteran who has traveled around the world, Carter brings a “think globally, act locally” approach to Dogfish Head’s charitable giving, which focuses on arts, environment, and community. In addition to the brewery’s donations, Dogfish Head staff regularly volunteer for projects across the state.

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. Find all podcast episodes at delcf.org/podcast.

5 Questions with Stu: Lynne Howard and Don Brown, Founders of the Howard-Brown Family Fund at the DCF

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Monday, March 2nd, 2020

· No Comments

It’s time for our first two-fer here on 5Qs – with Lynne Howard and Don Brown.

Lynne, a former government employee for the city (including a stint as chief of staff for the council), county (including time as Chief HR officer), and state (advisor on family issues for Gov. Carper); treasurer for the campaigns of Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester; consultant; longtime volunteer (including many years with the Christina Cultural Arts Center); and philanthropist/donor. Don, former assistant county attorney for New Castle County; former Chief Deputy AG for the state of Delaware; former Corporate Counsel for Dupont (16 years); pro bono counsel for low-income Delawareans; volunteer with DCF’s grants and scholarships committees; and philanthropist/donor.

I admire these people greatly, not just for their accomplishments, but for their decency and friendship. And for their commitment to giving back. Enjoy.

1. What first motivated you to get involved in philanthropy?

We were both raised in families that valued being engaged in community, educational, faith-based work, political issues and action. Our parents modeled these values, and we were taught to give of our time, talents and resources, however small, for the betterment of others to make a difference in our communities.

Lynne attended a college that taught about and valued giving to support those in need or to make a change in a community condition. She attended college in Atlanta, in the home base of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s work was an environment of community action and social justice, and that has remained with her to this day. Service to others was also a theme in Don’s college and early career as well.

2. What community endeavors are you proudest to support or engage in?

Areas of interest: education, childcare, arts, affordable housing, access to justice, and community health.

Organizations:

1. Christina Cultural Arts Center
2. Wilmington HOPE Commission
3. Mitchell Center for African American Heritage
4. Delaware Volunteer Legal Services
5. Children & Families First
6. Center for Educational Equity and Public Policy

3. Where do you see the greatest potential for philanthropy to drive change in Delaware?

Filling the gaps and complementing the work and financing where government and other funding support is just not adequate to make a sufficient difference. Philanthropy, in addition to providing needed resources to meet community needs, can also be a catalyst to inspire others to understand the gaps and needs and to step up with whatever they can bring to the table for the betterment of their community,

Philanthropy can also support bringing best practice experts to our community to enhance local work, research and advocacy already happening, thus moving action and improvements forward at a faster pace.

4. What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned through your work in philanthropy?

Effective and meaningful contributions need not always be financial. Giving can include the giving of time and talent in areas such as planning, strategic guidance, staff encouragement, mentoring, outreach, advocacy and supplementing an organization’s limited staff and resources

All should recognize that philanthropy happens in both small and large ways. A small organization can have just as major a need for a new printer as another might have for a new roof. It’s a matter of perspective. People often think that philanthropy means having lots of money to give. That truly does not have to be the case. All have something to give, time, talent or treasures. We all need to find a way to get that message out more effectively.

5. How does your philanthropy contribute to expanding opportunity for people in Delaware?

We select causes and organizations focused on making a demonstrated difference each day in their service mission. A good project, well-conceived and carried out, attacks urgent needs and delivers clear results while constantly assessing and improving programs. A top-notch organization sets the area of focus and constantly assesses the effectiveness of results and stays in close touch with its customers and clients.

We particularly look at organizations that serve the truly under-served sectors of our community and the diversity of our community, not just on paper but in reality.

ABOUT 5Q with Stu: This series is a chance to highlight philanthropists who are helping to keep Delaware a great place, and to make it better.

Episode 7, Rev. Edwin Estevez: Faith, Community and Opportunity

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Friday, February 28th, 2020

· No Comments

I love this discussion.

I feel like I could have talked with Edwin Estevez for a whole day. As pastor of the Grace Methodist Church in Wilmington, convening minister of the Riverfront Church, and active member of many diverse communities in Wilmington, Edwin is thoughtful, passionate and connected. We shared stories of our church backgrounds, and connected around why strong communities drive our respective work.

To me, one of the most compelling themes was the basic human idea of truly seeing each other – in our varied experiences, needs, backgrounds, and humanity. I believe there is a lot of today’s divide that is driven by misunderstanding, and not genuinely listening to others and trying to understand. In Edwin’s discussion, he talks also about organizations that he admires, and that includes those that “walk alongside,” but don’t try to dictate.

For me, whether the motivation for this kind of community work comes from a religious base or another sense of community, it can get us to a positive place.

Enjoy.

n.b. There’s a small oops in here. In our discussion of Francois Clemmons and Mr. Rogers, I said that Francois was the postman on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Later in the discussion, I realized my error, and acknowledged at the end that he was indeed “Officer Clemmons.” Mr. Rogers lovers will know what I’m talking about.

Rev. Edwin Estevez talking, gesturing broadly with an animated expression on his face

How Faith Communities Build Opportunity | Rev. Edwin Estevez

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Friday, February 28th, 2020

· No Comments

Rev. Edwin Estevez, senior pastor of Grace Church UMC and the Riverfront Church in Wilmington, talks about the role of the faith community in building opportunity. The son of Guatemalan immigrants, Estevez grew up in North Jersey and is now a proud Delawarean. With his leadership, Grace Church is launching a kitchen incubator to empower people struggling with poverty to learn culinary and restaurant skills, transforming the church campus into a green, energy-efficient example of “creation care,” and opening Grace Cafe, a welcoming “third space” for conversation and reflection over a cup of coffee.

You can listen and subscribe on Apple, Spotify. and Google Podcasts. Find all podcast episodes at delcf.org/podcast

Episode 6: Diane Laird and the Downtown Dover Partnership

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Friday, February 21st, 2020

· No Comments

For over twenty years, Diane Laird led Delaware’s Main Street Program – a program that focuses on what downtowns can do to become healthier, more welcoming, and more robust. And for the past year and a half, she’s been the Executive Director of the Downtown Dover Partnership. It’s an important program that works to make downtown Dover a great place to be. Diane is our guest on this week’s podcast.

Diane makes clear that success in her work needs to involve anybody and everybody. “Our partners are anybody that I could lay eyes on truly because I really consider anybody that has an investment of any kind in the Downtown to be a potential partner, because they’re part of the future. They should be part of the planning for the future.”

And she is clear that the small size of Delaware makes it possible to do much more than elsewhere. “When I would travel to National Conference and talk with my fellow coordinators and the Texas coordinator would have to take planes to visit her city, her cities and towns in Texas and I can drive top to bottom and side to side. I guess there’s something about the close connections and the quickness of getting things done. I mean, there are certainly challenges as everywhere, but there is an opportunity to do things a little more quickly and maybe even get recognized, towns or people getting recognized on a statewide level that you wouldn’t necessarily have in Texas.”

Check it out.

Diane Laird and Stuart Comstock-Gay recording the podcast

Building Opportunity on Main Street | Diane Laird

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Friday, February 21st, 2020

· 1 Comment

Diane Laird, executive director of the Downtown Dover Partnership, talks about building opportunity through collaboration and economic development. The DDP drives improved quality of life for the diverse residents, downtown workers, students, tourists, shoppers, kids, families and seniors who spend time in downtown Dover.

You can listen and subscribe on Apple, Spotify. and Google Podcasts. Find all podcast episodes at delcf.org/podcast.

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