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5 Questions with Stu: Greg Abbott, Section Administrator, Delaware State Parks

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Tuesday, October 8th, 2019

· No Comments

Greg Abbott has served Delaware through his work in Delaware State Parks for 24 years. He manages the Division’s Administrative Services Division. He is a 1985 graduate of Salisbury University, and is a graduate of the Indiana University Executive Development Program for Parks and Recreation Professionals. Prior to his work with the state parks, he spent ten years at PNC Bank.

What motivated you to get involved in public service?

My first ten years of work experience were in banking in the private sector. This experience gave me a great opportunity to engage with other professionals who were in the service industry in the towns we served. As professionally rewarding as that work was, I felt something was missing.

As a lifelong Delawarean, I had visited and used many of our beaches and open spaces, but it wasn’t until I went to work with DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation that I truly began to appreciate the importance and impact that public service can have on the citizens and visitors to Delaware. As I see how lives are enhanced and changed each day by the parks, programs and amenities managed by Delaware State Parks, it motivates me daily and provides a professional and personal satisfaction that is very rewarding.

What community endeavors are you proudest to engage in?

I am really proud of the partnerships that Delaware State Parks has formed with our friends organizations around the state. These 501(c)3 nonprofits are formed by incredibly passionate supporters of their state parks to provide volunteer engagement, fundraising and advocacy. They truly become an extension of the staff at our parks and part of the State Park family. The thousands of hours of volunteer support they provide annually make a profound impact on the programs and amenities that Delaware State Parks are able to provide and we simply couldn’t do it without them. I would encourage anyone who loves their local state park to join that friends group. I can assure you that it will be a great experience and a rewarding way to give back.

How does your organization contribute to expanding opportunity for people in Delaware?

Delaware has an award-winning state park system. These parks and open spaces are an oasis for people to relax and participate in activities that promote healthy lifestyles. Examples include participating in volunteer events or becoming a friends member, environmental education and living history programs, camping and overnight accommodations, providing convenient connections to state parks for walking, biking, hiking, bird watching, equestrian trail rides, fishing, summer concert series, recreation leagues, etc. The division continues to enhance opportunities for disabled visitors to use state parks for boating, fishing, trail and beach access. In FY19, Delaware State Parks hosted more than 5.8 million visitors.

What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing philanthropy today?

One of the major challenges facing philanthropy today is a societal desire for immediate results without consideration for providing the resources for protecting the natural, cultural and historical assets for future generations to enjoy. Delaware State Parks has worked diligently to establish funds for nearly every state park to ensure that private endowment funding is available to supplement and support day-to-day park operations, maintenance and programming.

If you could do one thing to increase equity in Delaware, what would you do?

I believe that providing safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities and open spaces for all Delawareans to enjoy is critical. Delaware State Parks works daily to ensure every citizen in Delaware is able to enjoy these precious jewels with no social, financial, racial or ability barriers. DNREC’s Division of Parks is proud to serve all of Delaware citizens.

Delaware Community Foundation Announces 2020 Capital Grants

Posted by Rebecca Klug

· Wednesday, September 25th, 2019

· No Comments

Beginning Monday, Sept. 30, Delaware nonprofits are invited to apply for the Delaware Community Foundation’s 2020 Capital Grants.

These grants support projects and organizations working to build opportunity so all Delaware residents can overcome barriers to success, benefit equitably and thrive. Supported capital projects will have a lasting, positive impact on the population or region served by the applicant organization.

The DCF defines capital as “construction, major renovation or repair of buildings, and/or the purchase of land.” Capital Grants typically range from $5,000 to $20,000, with a maximum award of $25,000. Only 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations within the State of Delaware and those outside the state that benefit Delawareans are eligible to apply.

Applications must be submitted online at delcf.org/grants and must be received no later than 4 p.m., Nov. 8, 2019.

Over the years, the DCF has awarded nearly $5 million in capital and equipment grants, funded through the State of Delaware Fund and the DCF’s unrestricted and field-of-interest funds. Last year, the DCF allocated $256,000 in Capital Grants.

“Capital Grants enable nonprofit organizations to complete work that will benefit their communities for years to come,” DCF President and CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay said. “Each year, we receive dozens of applications, indicating a real need for help with capital projects that nonprofits’ funding doesn’t usually cover.”

Workshops

The DCF will host two optional workshops to help applicants become familiar with the program and online application. Participants will leave with clear expectations of the next steps in applying for funding. Workshops are free, but registration is required at delcf.org/2020-capital-grants-workshops.

• Georgetown Public Library, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, 3 PM
• Wilmington Public Library, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, 10 AM

For more information, please contact Sarah Grunewald, 302.504.5267.

Photo: 2019 Capital Grant Recipient Southern Delaware Therapeutic & Recreational Horseback Riding
(John Mollura Photography)

5 Questions with Stu: Dr. Christine Cannon, Executive Director, Arsht-Cannon Fund

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019

· No Comments

Dr. Christine Cannon has been the executive director of the Arsht-Cannon Fund since its inception in 2004. With careers in nursing and education, nonprofit board leadership, and experience in grantwriting and program development, Christine partners with grantees to achieve the most effective program outcomes and impacts — with a particular focus on Delaware’s Latino community. Through the inspiration of the Arsht-Cannon Fund (a component fund at the DCF), the DCF overall has increased its attention on these issues as well.

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Why is philanthropy important to me?

For me, philanthropy provides a powerful opportunity to change the lives of Delaware’s Latino families through close partnerships with community leaders, nonprofits, educators, and healthcare providers. At the Arsht-Cannon Fund, our grants fuel a variety of educational opportunities that drive English language acquisition, family literacy, early childhood preparation for kindergarten, year-round learning for English Learners in K-12, college access and graduation, career development, equity-focused educational advocacy and more.

What are the greatest factors influencing your decisions when you consider opportunities you could support?

The greatest factors influencing my funding recommendations include:
(1) Justification of the need for a program
(2) The nonprofit’s capacity to implement a bilingual or bi-cultural program, and to access, engage, recruit and retain Latino participants
(3) Evidence of collaboration between nonprofit partners and the Latino community
(4) The use of data/research-based evidence to develop and monitor the program
(5) Most importantly, the impact of the program

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

While I am proud of our 11-year-history of supporting family literacy programs that provide educational support for children while their immigrant parents learn English, I am also proud to advocate for English Learners (ELs). I am a member of the Steering Committee of Education Equity Delaware, which currently advocates for an equitable student funding formula. Involvement with a group of EL advocates, including the Rodel Foundation, resulted in a series of five infographic English Learner Fact Sheets, including Spanish-language versions. The fact sheet series won first place prizes at the Delaware Press Association’s Annual Communications Contest, and at the 2019 National Federation of Press Women’s Annual Communications Contest.

Finally, I am proud to be engaged with a Sussex County-wide collaboration among more than 50 nonprofits who want to grow their capacity to engage with and serve Latino families. Called La Colectiva de Delaware, pilot programs are developing approaches to resource navigation, literacy, youth mentorship, and workforce preparation.

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

I have learned the value of investing time in developing partnerships with, and between, grantees. There is so much to learn from each other, including members of our Latino communities. Latinos engaged in identifying issues important to them are more likely to be involved in developing long-term approaches. Building understanding, trust, and collaboration results in new opportunities and collective impact.

If you could do one thing to increase equity in Delaware, what would you do?

Equity would increase if we could educate more Delawareans about our Latino youth and families. Increasing awareness and understanding of Latino culture and communities within our state – such as those illustrated in the English Learner Fact Sheets – can lead to actions that increase equity. Education Equity Delaware provides opportunities to learn how to advocate for children (K-12) who are English learners, have disabilities, or who are from low-income families. I also believe a continuation of the Delaware Community Foundation’s Book Circles with an additional focus on opportunity gaps may bring people together to discuss new approaches.

There are many ways to learn more about Delaware’s Latino population. The 2009 Delaware Hispanic Needs Assessment (partially funded by the Arsht-Cannon Fund) helped funders, community leaders and nonprofits focus their work. Results from a 2019 DCF study of Latino families in Sussex County are due to be released in the fall. These results will help shape La Colectiva’s work.

But ultimately, the best way to learn is by creating one-on-one connections with our neighbors

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About 5Qs: Each month, we ask local philanthropic leaders to answer five questions about how they view philanthropy in their work, their lives, or their organizations. It’s a chance to hear from people we all know, and some you may not know – but in a different way.

5 Questions with Stu: Stephanie Staats, CEO, YWCA of Delaware

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Monday, August 5th, 2019

· No Comments

Stephanie Staats, CEO at YWCA Delaware began working at the YWCA almost 10 years ago as the Chief Programs Officer. Prior to that role she was the Development Director for something called the Delaware Community Foundation.

She also served as an Adjunct Instructor at DelTech, and the Chief of Staff at Delaware Humanities Forum. Stephanie has shown strong leadership skills as she has helped the YWCA continue its role as a leading social change organization in the state.

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1. What motivated you to get into public service?

I developed an awareness of inequality as a child. I grew up in a diverse city, but it was socially segregated. I noticed who lived in the wealthiest neighborhoods, got treated kindly in stores and on the streets, and who did not. I experienced the overt distrust between people who were different from one another. I heard and felt how women and girls of all backgrounds were devalued. It troubled me greatly. So I would say that public service chose me. Leading YWCA Delaware has been an amazing opportunity to work toward the elimination of racism and empowerment of women.

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

Since we launched YWCA’s Sexual Assault Response Center (SARC) in 2016, it has been a privilege to provide 24/7 crisis support to victims statewide and to amplify the community conversation about the causes and effects of sexual assault. The numbers are staggering, as are the negative long-term impacts on economic success, physical and emotional health. There are many misunderstandings about the issue of sexual violence and until we de-stigmatize open conversation about it there will be no advancement in social attitudes, institutional practices and systems response for victims.

3. How does your organization contribute to expanding opportunity for people in Delaware?

YWCA’s mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. We achieve this by offering programs that advance housing stability, health and safety, and economic empowerment for women and their families. Specific programs can be found on our website at www.ywcade.org. In 2018, we served more than 5,200 Delawareans. Our social advocacy initiatives concentrate on racial justice, gender-based violence, civil rights, and economic opportunity for marginalized communities. In 2019, we launched “Dialogue to Action” groups to facilitate individuals’ understanding of inherent bias, its effects, and to inspire action as a result. More than 200 individuals participated in the first three months.

4. What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing philanthropy today?

An overall challenge is that as corporate giving has become more targeted on a regional scale, the administrative burden for government funding has increased, and it puts more pressure on individual giving. Organizations have an opportunity to be innovative in how they secure diverse revenue sources while staying in alignment with organizational values. YWCA included this opportunity as a priority in its 2019-2021 Strategic Plan.

5. If you could do one thing to increase equity in Delaware, what would you do?

At YWCA we practice our belief that issues overlap and intersect, and in order to achieve equity in opportunity, each issue must be addressed. To put it simply: you can’t solve for one without the other and expect lasting change. This belief is why YWCA offers programs and advocacy in the core areas of women’s lives: economic empowerment, personal safety, legal rights, health and education. It is why we work collaboratively with more than 50 other organizations across the state when a client has a specialized need for a service that we don’t provide. A holistic approach will increase equity.

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About 5Qs: Each month, we ask local philanthropic leaders to answer five questions about how they view philanthropy in their work, their lives, or their organizations. It’s a chance to hear from people we all know, and some you may not know – but in a different way. This is the second in the series.

5 Questions with Stu: Michelle Taylor, President & CEO, United Way of Delaware

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Monday, June 3rd, 2019

· No Comments

Michelle Taylor has served Delaware’s communities through her work at United Way of Delaware for almost 20 years – more than half of that as the organization’s president & CEO, where she leads the organization’s focus on early education, college and career readiness, and financial stability in eight “promise communities.” She is an important voice among Delaware’s nonprofit infrastructure, and always exhibits a deep passion for those who have fewer resources and greater need. Michelle serves on a number of local boards (including as an ex oficio member of the DCF Board.)

5 Questions with Michelle Taylor

What motivated you to get involved in public service?

I’ve always been involved in the public service sector, which is what I believe I’ve been called to do. Every day, I get to work with amazing people and together we’re changing lives for the better across our community. The fact is, if you love what you’re doing like I do, you never really work a day in your life. And public service work is definitely what I love doing.

What community endeavors are you proudest to engage in?

I’m most proud of our collective work with partners on issues of common cause, especially when we can leverage United Way’s breadth of relationships. As I look back, one thing I am proud of is United Way’s leadership in Governor Markell’s effort to organize and launch Delaware Stars. In those early years, United Way was part of a group of determined advocates who saw the value of ensuring that children were prepared to succeed in school, and who stuck with it and propelled that work forward. Today, Delaware Stars is a given; but at that time, it was not. And so, I’m proud that United Way was a part of laying that foundation.

How does your organization contribute to expanding opportunity for people in Delaware?

United Way is focused on changing more than the conditions we see in our under-served communities. Our real goal is to change the long-term trajectory for the people living in these communities, and by doing that, to change the trajectory for the entire community. We work at both the systemic level, on things like advocacy and policy, and at the grassroots level on programming that impacts people where they live. We focus on evidence-based strategies, on working with the right partners, and on advocating for communities of greatest need. It’s not easy, and not every organization has the capacity to do that. But I think working to change the trajectory of our community is one of our sweet spots.

Is there a philanthropist or philanthropic organization that inspires you?

I’ve been fortunate to work with so many who’ve inspired me; identifying one by name is nearly impossible. But I can tell you the qualities that these individuals have in common. Each is able to look beyond themselves, and beyond the immediate situation, and to feel true empathy, not pity, for those who may not be as fortunate. Knowing that but for a chance encounter, a lucky break, or even the zip code where they were born that they too might be walking a different path in life, they never lose sight that we’re all in this together. I’m also struck by the fact that these people never seek credit for what they do. I find all of that pretty inspiring.

If you could do one thing to increase equity in Delaware, what would you do?

I’d be sure every child in Delaware was reading on grade level by the end of third grade. That’s when kids stop learning to read and start reading to learn. Doing that one thing alone would make Delaware a more equitable place because it would even the playing field. If every child, regardless of zip code, was reading on grade level, and had equitable access to resources, we could increase equity in Delaware in a generation. The great thing is this: We know how to do it. What’s required now is the will.

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Going Far Together

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Wednesday, February 27th, 2019

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It’s long been said that if you want to go quickly, you go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.

Yesterday’s Focus on Wilmington showed the power of going together. It was DCF’s first community engagement session this year, and brought together 14 collaborative programs in the city, with a hundred citizens, leaders and activists – to share innovative work and break down silos.

Dorrell Green, recently named superintendent of the Red Clay School District, spoke about the Dual Generation Center at Stubbs Elementary School, a partnership between the state and Christina School District – a new center that will focus on early education but provide support for a broad range of family issues. Said Green to WDEL. “No one entity can do it alone. I just think this [event] is a good example of folks coming together to support, as a whole.”

From the Stubbs project to the comprehensive plans of REACH Riverside to break the burdens of inter-generational poverty in the Riverside Community, to the work of the Wilmington Leaders Alliance and Generations to reinvent employment pipelines, we heard from many of Wilmington’s most inspiring collaborative efforts. You can read about the programs that were highlighted here.

During the event, participants said things like, “I heard about things I’ve been wanting to do and learned they are already happening, and being done better,” and “This was a great way to learn about how funding aligns with community needs and a great way to connect with leaders.” And “I just didn’t know about this program, and it’s exactly what I’m looking for.” Collaboration is indeed well practiced in Wilmington and Delaware, with leaders like the Wilmington Community Advisory Council and United Way doing heavy lifting.

DCF organized this event as one of many activities to build on the work of our fall 2018 community leadership lecture from Bob Putnam, talking about his book Our Kids and about the opportunity gap in America. During the lead up to that event, and afterward, we heard repeatedly from friends and colleagues that folks wanted to know more about what’s going on and how to plug in. Even those of us most involved keep finding new programs that we didn’t previously know about, and which are great opportunities for partnerships.

There is so much tremendous work going on. And everybody knows that we need to work together. Most of us are working together. This program tried to broaden the connections. And it’s not the end. DCF is committed to helping bring people together to strengthen partnerships up and down the state. Watch for more about future focus conversations.

Charity and your IRA

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Thursday, October 18th, 2018

· No Comments

This is a modified version of a column that was printed in the Oct 16 issue of the Delaware Business Times.

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Being generous with our money is one of the great joys in life. Whether we’re giving to help communities ravaged by natural disasters, local schoolchildren, for environmental cleanup, arts programs or any other passion, giving helps make our live complete.

And it turns out that being generous with our IRAs can be both personally satisfying, and provide tax benefits. This is even more important due to last year’s changes in federal tax law.

Many of us spend years contributing to retirement accounts, without digging into the details until it’s time for that money to come out. Some people even find they don’t end up needing the money as much as they thought they would. And they can be in a fix. Eventually we pay taxes on the money that accumulates in our IRAs.

If you’re fortunate enough that you don’t need all of that money, it’s good to have a plan. Here’s an idea.

When you reach the age – 70½ – where annual withdrawals are mandatory, you can reduce the impact on your taxes and also help worthwhile causes and organizations through a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD.

Best of all, QCDs can be made to almost any 501(c)(3) organization or house of worship, including the Delaware Community Foundation. IRS regulations permit QCDs into most types of nonprofit organizations – from programs serving children, to arts programs, environmental programs, senior centers, and so many more.

At the community foundation, while QCDs cannot be contributed to Donor Advised Funds, they can go into designated funds, which provide grants to specific charitable organizations; field of interest funds, which allow a donor to support a specific passion or interest; scholarship funds; or to the DCF’s Delaware Forever Fund, which was developed to address some of the community’s most pressing needs as they arise.

To read a longer piece, providing details about how this works, click here to read my recent op-ed in the Delaware Business Times.

Field of Interest Funds: Hitting the Target, Now and Forever

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Friday, August 10th, 2018

· No Comments

Here is another post about working with DCF, and why it can be a great way to achieve charitable goals…this one describes the Field of Interest fund.

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We all have passions that drive us, that occupy a space in our heart and motivate us to improve the world. One way to address those passions – and invest in our community’s future – is through the Field of Interest Fund. These funds are designed by the donor to focus gifts in an area that is important to them, such as protecting the environment, supporting educational advances, or expanding access to the arts. And then, instruct the DCF board and staff to make sure good grants are made on that issue now and in the future.

It’s a way to narrow philanthropic giving, but keep your donation flexible enough to meet the changing needs of the community. The fund type allows for long-term community impact on issues that matter, while providing immediate benefit for the donor in the form of a tax deduction at the time the gift is made.

Think of it as hitting the target without having to nail the bullseye.

Here’s how it works:

1. Donors identify an area of personal interest, as broad or narrow as desired. (DCF staff can help narrow the focus if you wish). For example, the Jonathan Moyed CARE Fund, established at the DCF in 2001, is focused on innovative and creative ways to provide/support long term health programs for Delawareans. The DCF researches the organizations doing effective work in this important area and awards grants to make the greatest impact possible. Over the years, Moyed CARE fund has supported the Mary Campbell Center, Ingleside Homes, Nanticoke Health Services and other important organizations.

2. Donors create the endowed fund at DCF with a gift of cash, securities, or other property worth $15,000 or more. That gift becomes a permanent source of community funding, targeting the donor’s area of interest. Donors can add more funds at any time.

3. The DCF board awards grants to community organizations and programs that are making a difference in the selected area of interest. All the while, DCF handles the administrative requirements for the fund, including managing the fund assets and overseeing the fund’s investment.

There’s a lot of great work being done in philanthropy today. A field of interest fund is a great way to not only protect and promote the issues you care about, but also to ensure they get the support they need in the future.

It’s hitting the target — even from far away.

Donor Advised Funds at the DCF: Make a Difference that Lasts Longer than the Latest App

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Tuesday, June 19th, 2018

· 1 Comment

I usually write in my blog about trends and activities in Delaware and the country. But with this blog, and some others to come, I am going to explain a bit more why working with the DCF can be a great way to achieve their charitable goals…in this blog, I talk about Donor Advised Funds at the DCF.

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Technology allows us to do almost everything in an instant — order groceries, stream our favorite shows, even pay a parking ticket.

But not everything is meant to over in a flash, especially if you want to give with lasting impact.

For those who are looking to make a difference with their charitable dollars, a donor advised fund at the DCF remains a great way to make meaningful contributions to the causes and organizations that personally matter to you while also taking advantage of significant tax benefits. And donors who work with the DCF also get the benefit of the expertise and experience that DCF staff have about organizations and initiatives that are making a difference in Delaware.

Every year, our donor advised fundholders give away millions of dollars (almost $8 million in FY 2017 alone) to help important causes in Delaware and around the world, ranging from the 1916 Fund’s gifts to the Delaware Theatre Company and the Delaware Humane Association to the Charles C. Allen Jr. Family Fund’s support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Seaford and Nanticoke Health Services.

Every day at the foundation, our staff works with donors to help them achieve their greatest charitable goals. For instance, you may want to help with efforts to improve literacy but don’t know which nonprofits are doing the kind of work in Delaware that is making a difference.

Our staff at the DCF does.

Whether your interest is children’s issues, the arts, the environment, education, health or more…by working with us to create a donor advised fund, you can get help developing a plan that allows you to directly invest in meaningful programs and projects that benefit the community. We welcome the opportunity to work with you to identify meaningful grant making opportunities.

Quite simply, donor advised funds are an efficient way to leverage your personal resources to help others while also enjoying an immediate tax benefit.

Compare a DAF to a private foundation – it provides many of the advantages without the cost and time-consuming administrative responsibilities.

As the donor, you direct where you want your money to go. Of course, you don’t have to decide right away which nonprofits to support, but know that your gift rests with a local staff keenly aware of the needs of the community and the best way to create impact within it.

Donor advised funds aren’t a new idea — they were first established in the 1930s — and they provide community foundations like ours with a means to address some of the critical challenges in our area by putting resources where they are needed most. They’ve gone through some changes in recent years, but when coupled with a strong local organization like DCF, they remain a powerful tool for meaningful giving.

Donor advised funds are just that — donor advised. You choose what organizations to support. When you want to recommend a grant to be dispersed from your fund — either to an organization in Delaware (most grants given through DCF funds are to local organizations) or around the world — you can do so at any time by contacting us.

Philanthropy, like volunteering, is a way to feel good about helping others. It can be an empowering experience, but it doesn’t have to be over in the same amount of time it takes to download a new app.

A strong donor advised fund can provide an opportunity to strategically link philanthropic giving with community needs.

We’d love to talk with you to learn more about how to make that happen.

Helen Eliason: As a life ends, a legacy of generosity is revealed

Posted by Allison Levine

· Wednesday, January 17th, 2018

· 2 Comments

As 2017 came to a close, so did the life of Helen Eliason, one of the DCF’s truest friends and greatest supporters.

On Dec. 27, the day after Helen died, her friend and adviser Dr. Linda Poole emailed the many nonprofits that have benefited from Helen’s generosity and will continue to receive support from her legacy gifts to the DCF.

Linda’s words capture Helen’s contributions better than any tribute we could write, so with Linda’s permission, we are sharing it with you here:

Helen Eliason passed away on the evening of December 26th. Her value of children’s literacy was unprecedented, especially because she wasn’t an educator or someone who works daily with teaching others to read. Helen did realize that if a child could read and communicate, then the child had hope and a future.

Her philanthropy was genuine. She wanted nothing in return. She didn’t want her name in lights or on programs and buildings, although she qualified for more than anyone would ever know.

Did you know that she paid for the parking lot at the Fraim’s Boys & Girls Club so that it would be safer and green? That she supported dozens of children’s gardens to make sure that children understood the value of the land and where food came from? That she renovated the locker room at the Boys & Girls Club? That she established a scholarship program that supported dozens of adult students to return to school and increase their abilities to move up in the work force? That she paid for children to attend extended time programs where they would get additional instruction in reading? That she sponsored educators to attend conferences to improve their skill set and expand their knowledge especially in regard to teaching reading?

I could go on for pages with listing the facts of her philanthropy. She would not let me do this while she was here on earth and probably isn’t too thrilled with me now as she looks down from heaven!

I felt it was important to all of you to know that Helen has made sure that your organizations will benefit from the Fund for Children’s Literacy grants in PERPETUITY for the simple requirement of working together as literacy leaders AND an annual reporting of progress each year. I know of no other fund that requires so little and gives so much.

I ask that you honor Helen by recommitting yourselves to the children of Delaware. That you find within yourselves the same passion and focus that Helen demonstrated. That you use her gift as an example of true philanthropy and reach out to those who need adults to make sure that they have a positive future.

Thank you for making Helen’s wishes your reality.

Linda

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