Best Community Development Grants in Delaware

The Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EIFF) offers grants for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects in Delaware, supporting non-residential facilities in enhancing energy efficiency. Grant funding can cover up to 60% of project costs, with a maximum award of $250,000 per address annually. Eligible projects must demonstrate energy savings and sustainability, with a focus on supporting minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses, small businesses, and non-profits. Pre-approval is encouraged to secure funding.

The Kenny Family Foundation Grant offers micro-grants to local 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in New Castle County, Delaware. The foundation supports a variety of community initiatives, providing assistance through ShopRite gift cards, typically averaging $100. Organizations must submit a formal request along with IRS documentation to be considered. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life and promoting social welfare in the region.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

The Roy Klein Education Fund, managed by the Delaware Community Foundation, provides crucial support to nonprofits working on economic development and career education initiatives in Kent County, Delaware. By focusing on projects that enhance the quality of life for residents, the fund aims to foster equity and opportunity. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)3 nonprofits, ensuring that assistance directly benefits the local community without discrimination. This initiative plays a vital role in uplifting central Delaware.

Truist Foundation

The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation's grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses.

Inspire Awards

This year’s Inspire Awards seeks nonprofits supporting the career navigation and workforce development needs of workers across the United States. The challenge seeks applications that help individuals gain the skills, guidance, and support needed to access quality jobs, advance in their careers, and build long-term stability in an evolving world of work.

2026 Truist Foundation Inspire Awards Challenge Question

How are nonprofits providing innovative direct services, training programs, and career navigation supports for adult workers in the age of AI?

Challenge Dimensions

Nonprofit organizations have long been critical advocates and service providers for workers in the United States. Nonprofits provide workers necessary upskilling opportunities, AI literacy training, career navigation support, and wraparound services in conjunction with career pathways programming. All necessary for the modern workforce. Meeting the moment, Truist Foundation and MIT Solve want to hear the ways in which nonprofits headquartered in the Truist operating footprint are providing innovative career pathway programming in the age of AI. Although solutions don’t need to focus on generative AI specifically, teams should demonstrate how their career pathways programming align with the following dimensions:

• Training and Upskilling Programs – Providing holistic, accessible programming that equips workers with essential skills, industry-validated credentials, and technical literacy for the modern workplace.
• AI Readiness and Literacy – Offering high-quality training that helps workers understand generative AI and agentic technologies as augmented intelligence tools, helping to build practical skills like effective prompting, domain expertise application, and ethical use.
• Additional Wraparound Services and Basic Needs Support – Supporting unemployed and underemployed workers on their journey to economic mobility through comprehensive, integrated resources including childcare, transportation support, mentorship, mental health services, benefits navigation, and more.
• Career Navigation in the AI Economy – Enabling workers to navigate career choices with clarity and confidence by providing accessible information about how AI is reshaping job roles and industries, facilitating informed decisions about high-quality career trajectories that align with individual circumstances, and connecting workers to industry-validated credentials or trainings.

Here are the grants for this challenge

• First place: $250,000
• Second place: $150,000
• Runners-up: $25,000
• Audience favorite: $75,000

The Jazz Touring Network (JTN) fosters the presentation of jazz across the mid-Atlantic region, supporting both novice and experienced presenters. Through an open and competitive application process, JTN members engage in professional development and collaborate on annual jazz tours. Eligible organizations must be located in specific states and maintain a strong history of presenting touring artists. The JTN prioritizes diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that programming reflects the vibrant landscape of contemporary jazz.

The Presser Foundation's Special Projects Grant supports innovative music organizations with funding ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Established in 1939, the Foundation aims to promote music education and philanthropy. The grant focuses on newly formed organizations and those impacted by funding changes, encouraging applications for projects enhancing artistic development, financial stability, and collaboration. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia, ensuring a broad reach in supporting diverse musical initiatives.

The Next Gen North Early Childhood Development Grant, offered by the Delaware Community Foundation, provides $7,500 to support initiatives addressing early childhood development issues in New Castle County. This grant invites nonprofits to apply, focusing on equity and community-based philanthropy. It aims to foster opportunities for vulnerable families in Delaware while ensuring that funded programs do not discriminate based on race, religion, or other factors. Nonprofits are encouraged to submit proposals that align with these goals.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Delaware offers crucial funding for the development of essential community facilities in rural areas. Aimed at public bodies, non-profits, and tribal entities, it supports projects that enhance local services such as healthcare, public safety, and education. Eligible areas include rural communities with populations under 20,000. Funding can cover construction, equipment purchases, and related expenses, promoting sustainable growth and improved quality of life in eligible regions.

The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in Delaware support communities in preparing for or recovering from emergencies affecting safe drinking water availability. Eligible events include droughts, floods, and chemical spills. Grants can be used for water transmission line projects or constructing water sources, with funding up to $1,000,000. This initiative aims to restore access to clean water in rural areas, enhancing environmental conditions and encouraging local economic growth.

The Region Grants Open Grant Round: Community Vitality, supported by Land O'Lakes Foundation, aims to enhance the vibrancy of dairy communities in the East and West Regions. With a total investment of $500,000 annually, grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 are available for organizations focused on rural development, education, and community resources. Eligible applicants must have a 501c3 status and serve specific geographic areas, ensuring support reaches those in need.

The Highmark BluePrints Small Grants program, managed by the Delaware Community Foundation, allocates funds to nonprofits addressing critical health-related issues in Delaware. Grants up to $50,000 support initiatives focused on enhancing health care access, reducing disparities, and fostering early childhood development. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) public charities and certain government agencies. The program emphasizes community equity and welcomes applications for innovative solutions that improve health outcomes for underserved populations.

The National Trust Preservation Funds provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to support local preservation projects and ongoing work. These funds aim to enhance community engagement in preservation, foster technical expertise, and stimulate financial participation from the private sector. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on planning and education efforts related to preservation. The program is particularly interested in initiatives that reach new audiences and further the preservation movement.

The Edna G. Kynett Memorial Foundation Grant supports initiatives that enhance cardiovascular health in the Delaware Valley. Established in 1954, it funds community health, professional education, and research programs targeting high-risk and underserved populations. The Foundation prioritizes innovative proposals focused on prevention and sustainable health improvements, particularly for children and adults. Grants typically do not exceed $50,000 and cover direct program expenses. Eligible applicants include public entities and 501(c)(3) organizations.

The Gender Justice Organizing Fund Grant supports initiatives led by women, girls, trans, gender nonconforming, and LGBTQI+ individuals to achieve gender justice. Organizations must prioritize community organizing and demonstrate an understanding of systemic oppression. Grants from the Bread & Roses Community Fund are crucial for groups that lack traditional funding due to their commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. The fund emphasizes long-term strategies that foster sustainable social change in the Philadelphia area.

The Joseph Robert Foundation Grant provides essential funding for non-profit organizations focused on the arts, animal welfare, and environmental protection. Based in Pennsylvania, the foundation prioritizes smaller local organizations in the mid-Atlantic region, offering grants typically under $10,000. It encourages innovative projects and supports first-time grant seekers, prioritizing those with limited resources. Organizations can apply for general operating support or specific project funding to further their missions and impact their communities.

The Visionary Leadership Fund Grant, managed by the Valentine Foundation since 2005, aims to support leadership development for women and aspiring leaders in the Greater Philadelphia area. By funding organizations that primarily serve women and girls, the grant fosters community, effectiveness, and innovation among under-represented groups, including Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ individuals. This initiative is committed to closing equity gaps in non-profit leadership, ensuring diverse voices lead the way towards transformative social change.

The DE Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program aims to enhance Delaware's urban tree canopy through quality tree planting and management projects. It encourages sustainable forestry practices, improves stormwater management, and promotes diversity and inclusion in urban forestry efforts. By funding tree planting and management initiatives, this program seeks to improve air quality and foster community involvement in stewardship of urban forest resources.

The Delaware Division of the Arts provides General Operating Support Grants to nonprofit organizations focused on the promotion and teaching of the arts. Eligible organizations must be based in Delaware, have a stable board, and demonstrate a history of community service. Grants support annual operating expenses, allowing for year-round arts participation. A staggered three-year application cycle ensures ongoing support while minimizing the application burden. These grants foster artistic growth and community engagement in Delaware.

The Community Based Organizations: Project Support Grant, offered by the Delaware Division of the Arts, aims to support arts initiatives led by non-profit organizations whose primary mission is not the arts. This grant encourages community engagement through artistic projects, allowing for diverse cultural expressions and collaboration among various groups. Eligible applicants include Delaware-based organizations with stable governance and the capacity to manage projects exceeding $5,000 in direct cash expenses.

The Foundation for the Future of Delaware County offers grants aimed at enhancing community development and education for residents of Delaware County, Iowa. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and municipalities, with up to $7,500 available per project. A special $20,000 impact grant will be awarded in 2025 for innovative programs that benefit the entire county. Priority will be given to new and previously unfunded initiatives starting in 2026.

The Chesapeake Bay Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Grant Program, funded by the EPA and Chesapeake Bay Trust, supports innovative green infrastructure projects enhancing community livability. With funding opportunities ranging from conceptual plans to full project implementation, this program aims to reduce stormwater runoff, improve urban green spaces, and boost local water health within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Eligible locations include parts of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, as well as New York.

The DE Community Water Quality Improvement Grant (CWQIG) supports projects aimed at enhancing water quality in impaired watersheds across Delaware. Funded by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), grants range from $25,000 to $75,000. Eligible projects include stormwater retrofits and stream restoration that align with established environmental strategies. This initiative aims to address pollution and improve the ecological health of Delaware's waterways.

The Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund supports innovative projects in the Mid-Atlantic region, offering up to $5,000 to organizations committed to protecting cultural and natural resources. Established in 1996, this fund promotes collaboration among various stakeholders, facilitates policy development, and enhances public engagement in preservation issues. Eligible activities include planning and education efforts, requiring applicants to match grant funds and adhere to specific conditions to ensure effective use of resources for community sustainability.

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.

The Rural Business Development Grants in Delaware aim to support small rural businesses with technical assistance and training, benefiting areas outside urban centers. With no maximum grant limit, the program prioritizes smaller requests and offers funds for various projects including training, infrastructure development, and community economic improvements. Eligible applicants include rural public entities, nonprofits, and educational institutions, fostering local economic growth and innovation in eligible rural areas.