Register for the 2024 Building Opportunity Keynote
Join the DCF and renowned sociologist and author Eric Klinenberg on Oct. 24 for the 2024 Building Opportunity Keynote Presentation! In his latest book, “2020: One City, Seven People, and …
Advancing Equity: A Report on the Impact of Three Years of Racial Equity-Focused Grantmaking
Learn all about the impact of the DCF’s grant programs in the new report, Advancing Equity: A Report on the Impact of Three Years of Racial Equity-Focused Grantmaking. The report …
Host Stuart Comstock-Gay sits down with community leaders in education, tech, health and the arts to discuss communities, leadership, mentorship and passing the mic to the next generation. Subscribe now so …
The DCF’s 2023 Annual Report is now available! Read about the work the organization has accomplished over the past year and how the DCF is working to build opportunity and …
Support your favorite Delaware State Park by giving to its fund at the DCF. All gifts support the park or program you to designate. For information about different ways to …
In our new Donor Impact Report, see how donors partner with us to make a difference in unique and powerful ways on the causes they care about, in Delaware and around the country.
At the Delaware Community Foundation, our focus is on supporting our community.
At the Delaware Community Foundation, our focus is on building opportunity and advancing equity. We do this in three key ways:
Helping Donors – We partner with generous people to help them achieve their charitable goals and maximize the impact of their giving, by managing charitable funds and administering grants.
Making Grants – Through our direct grant programs, we identify and invest in nonprofits’ most powerful work to serve the people of Delaware.
Providing Leadership – We inspire, convene and facilitate conversations about important community issues, shining a light on opportunities to make a difference.
Who We Serve
Donors & Fundholders
Community
Nonprofits
Scholarship Seekers
Professional Advisors
Donors & Fundholders
The DCF has the expertise and resources you need to achieve your charitable goals, maximizing both impact and tax advantages. We help donors like you establish charitable funds and award grants to benefit causes you care about.
We are passionate about Delaware’s diverse communities, from Selbyville to Claymont. We connect leaders from nonprofits, government and the private sector to explore our communities’ assets and challenges, shining a light on important issues and opportunities to drive lasting change.
The DCF helps nonprofit organizations by awarding grants, managing endowed funds, and providing community events and activities that build knowledge and relationships. More than 180 nonprofits organizations have funds at the DCF, which strengthens their financial stability, empowers them to accept complex charitable gifts, and instills confidence in their donors.
Thanks to our donors, the DCF awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships each year. Scholarships help lay the groundwork for a more equitable and prosperous Delaware for the future.
We partner with professional advisors who want to help their clients achieve their charitable goals and maximize tax advantages, both during their lifetimes and through their estate planning. By providing highly personalized service, the DCF strengthens and reinforces the advisor-client relationship.
Invested $30,419,900 in the community through 2,076 grants
Awarded the final grants from the COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund, totaling $5,300,000
Awarded $408,388 in scholarships to 142 students
Currently at the DCF
Highmark Delaware Invests More Than $800,000 to Support Health
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware commits $838,300 to address a variety of community needs Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware is pleased to announce more than $800,000 in…
Grants for Projects Serving At-Risk Youth in New Castle County Available from Caesar Rodney Rotary Foundation
Organization doubles its commitment, offering up to $5,000 per grant The Caesar Rodney Rotary Foundation’s (CRRF) New Castle County Youth Empowerment Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF)…
DCF Awards Nearly $150,000 in Specific Interest Grants
This year, the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) awarded $144,500 in specific interest grants to 34 nonprofit organizations around the state. There are a variety of funds at DCF that provide …
The DCF connects with Delaware communities’ FUTURE needs, devises mechanisms to satisfy those needs, and then skillfully enables those who want to do good to proceed as they wish.
— Adly & Sheila Gorrafa, Gorrafa Family Charitable Funds
The DCF is an important partner in our philanthropic work in Delaware. They help us maximize our impact on the health and well-being of people throughout the First State.
– Nick Moriello, president, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware
Being a supporting organization of the DCF is like having a support net. They have been a wonderful resource for us and a great partner.
— Susan Budinger, Rodel
Working with the Delaware Community Foundation, I’m able to do the charitable work I want to do without the administrative costs and responsibility of a private foundation.
— Louise Cummings, who established the Ballard Community Fund at the DCF in memory of her husband, the late Corporal Stephen Ballard
The DCF takes the hassle out of philanthropic giving, leaving the ‘fun part’ for the donor. They simplified everything.
— Ed Wilchinski, Roy Klein Education Fund
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Request Wiring Instructions
Agencies receiving DCF grants must serve the state of Delaware and its residents without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin or sexual orientation.
We do not support:
Individuals
Non-501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
Purchase of office equipment, furniture, or or standard office expenses related to the operation of an organization (e.g. web site services, computer software, desktop or laptop computers, office phone systems, etc.)
Sports clubs, leagues, or facilities
Public or tuition-based educational institutions
Fundraising entities for programs and organizations that are primarily supported through public funding (e.g., schools, parks, libraries)
Purchase of vehicles (i.e., mobile machines that transport people or cargo)
Endowment
Public or tuition-based educational institutions
Debt reduction
Religious organizations for sectarian purposes (However, projects that serve the entire community, regardless of religious affiliation, are eligible for support.)
Annual fundraising campaigns
Projects completed before June of the current year
Special events
Fundraising entities for programs and organizations that are primarily supported through public funding (e.g. schools, parks, libraries)
An engaged group of community volunteers comprises the DCF Grants Committee, which reviews proposals
submitted to our discretionary grant programs and makes recommendations to the DCF Board. Learn more
about them here.
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What is it?
Study group
Request information
Point back to fund page
QCD/RMD explanation
Can DCF help me with my corporate clients charitable giving? Yes! Business and corporate giving programs and availability through the DCF
Legacy Society?
Calculators – annuities and endowments?
Planned giving tools – plannedgiving.com
Established and convert
How to Apply
First, read the program details and eligibility requirements for the specific grant you are interested in.
Log in or create a new account if you haven’t previously.
Select the program you wish to apply for.
An engaged group of community volunteers comprises the DCF Grants Committee, which reviews proposals
submitted to our discretionary grant programs and makes recommendations to the DCF Board. Learn more
about them here.
A
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