Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Delaware

The Arts Access Grant by the Delaware Division of the Arts supports nonprofit organizations offering occasional arts programs. This grant aims to enhance public access to artistic experiences, foster collaborations between artists and community groups, and promote lifelong learning in the arts. Organizations eligible for funding must be based in Delaware and manage programs involving professional artists. The application process is ongoing, with reviews conducted starting in July each year.

The Community Based Organizations: Arts Access Grant, offered by the Delaware Division of the Arts, supports nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in presenting various art forms. Grants can cover up to 80% of eligible expenses, not exceeding $1,250. This initiative encourages community engagement through arts programs and is intended for groups that may not qualify for other funding categories. Applications must be submitted six weeks prior to the event, with early submissions recommended.

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 Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EEIF) offers Custom Pathway Grants to non-residential facilities in Delaware, promoting energy-efficient upgrades. These grants encourage complex energy improvements beyond standard measures, supporting both retrofit and new construction projects. Eligible projects can receive up to 60% funding, with a maximum award of $250,000 per year. The program aims to enhance energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support diverse community sectors, including minority and veteran-owned businesses.

The Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EIFF) offers grants for energy assessments and improvements in non-residential facilities in Delaware. With a focus on energy efficiency, the program supports businesses in upgrading to more efficient systems. Grants cover up to 60% of project costs, with limits of $250,000 per year per facility. Eligible projects must exceed minimum energy code requirements, fostering sustainability and reducing operational costs in the community.

The Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EIFF) offers Prescriptive Pathway Grants to non-residential facilities in Delaware to enhance energy efficiency. These grants cover up to 60% of project costs, with a maximum award of $250,000 per location annually. Eligible projects include upgrading lighting, HVAC systems, and appliances to energy-efficient models. Applicants must reserve funding before purchasing equipment, and a pre-approval process is recommended to ensure eligibility. This initiative supports diverse community sectors, including small and minority-owned businesses.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Delaware and Maryland provides essential funding to ensure access to clean drinking water and effective waste management in rural areas. Eligible applicants, including local governments and nonprofits, can use the funds for various infrastructure projects such as drinking water systems, sewage disposal, and stormwater management. This program aims to enhance public health and environmental quality in underserved communities.

The Corporate Giving Program by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations within specific states. They prioritize initiatives that enhance community welfare, especially in agriculture, education, health, and environmental sustainability. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status to apply, and preference is given to those involving Perdue associates. Ineligible requests include those from religious, political, or individual-focused groups. This program emphasizes broad community benefits over organizational affiliations.

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, established in 2001, has awarded over $17.5 million to combat hunger in its operating areas. This foundation focuses on supporting children at risk of hunger and enhancing the capacity of feeding agencies to provide nutritious meals. They also emphasize nutrition education to mitigate health risks associated with hunger. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits located within 20 miles of a Food Lion store, with applications accepted annually.

The Wawa Foundation offers financial grants exceeding $2,500 to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in its six-state market, focusing on health, hunger, and supporting everyday heroes. Applications are accepted in January, April, July, and October, with grant requests reviewed prior to the next submission window. Eligible organizations include those working to improve lives through health initiatives, hunger relief efforts, and support for community heroes. For more details, visit the Wawa Foundation's official site.

Incyte Corporation offers charitable contributions to organizations aligned with its mission to improve the lives of patients with cancer and other diseases. Eligible entities include medical schools, associations, not-for-profits, advocacy groups, and hospitals. Requests should focus on healthcare and comply with relevant guidelines. Organizations must enter a written agreement to receive funding, and requests should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the decision deadline.

The Baltimore Life Community Grants Program, established by the Baltimore Life Foundation, awards grants of up to $500 to nonprofit organizations in various states, including Maryland and Virginia. This initiative aims to enhance community quality of life through projects that focus on family safety and community enhancement. Eligible applicants must be IRS-certified 501(c)(3) organizations, with priority given to those with volunteer support. This program reflects Baltimore Life's commitment to corporate citizenship and community involvement.

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 Community Voices Fund, established by the People’s Media Fund, supports innovative media projects that amplify marginalized voices in Greater Philadelphia. Prioritizing community-driven narratives, the Fund awards grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to support storytelling efforts that challenge systemic oppression and promote social justice. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 organizations with annual budgets under $1 million, focusing on projects that enhance community organizing and movement-building efforts.

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 Welfare Foundation Grant focuses on supporting nonprofits in Delaware and southern Chester County, emphasizing capital grants. With an annual budget of around $5 million, the Foundation has contributed approximately $130 million over 25 years. Eligible organizations must hold 501(c)(3) status and comply with non-discrimination policies. The Foundation prioritizes sectors such as social services, housing, health, education, environment, civic engagement, and the arts, while excluding annual support and political activities.

The DCF Capital Project Grants aim to enhance nonprofit facilities through capital improvements, helping organizations in Delaware operate more effectively. These grants support projects that not only renovate but also empower nonprofits to better serve their communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 organizations within Delaware or those benefiting Delawareans. The initiative excludes funding for individuals, certain nonprofits, and specific operational expenses, ensuring support focuses on impactful community enhancements.

The Delaware Division of the Arts offers the StartUp Program Grants aimed at strengthening the management capacity of emerging arts organizations in Delaware. This program provides modest support for operating expenses and serves as an entry point for these organizations into the Division's General Operating Support grant program. New applicants are encouraged to contact the Division before submitting a Letter of Intent to ensure a smooth application process.

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.

History

Foundation began in 1986 when community leaders realized the need for a permanent source of funding to provide for Delaware’s current and future needs.

In 1985, DuPont Executive Pierre S. DuPont III, an active board member of the United Way of Delaware and the Longwood Foundation, realized that the charitable needs of Delaware’s nonprofit agencies and institutions were more than existing resources could support. Concerned that most fundraising was for current operating needs and none for endowments to meet future needs, Mr. duPont recruited 19 community leaders to create the Delaware Community Foundation in July 1986.

The News Journal and parent company Gannett provided start-up money, In 1989, Gov. Mike Castle endorsed the Foundation, and the state provided a $2 million grant “to be used as an investment in the charitable future of Delaware.”

Today, the DCF is among the largest community foundations in the country.

Each year, the DCF awards millions of dollars in grants to support the work of nonprofits addressing Delaware’s greatest needs and opportunities, with an eye to building opportunity and advancing equity.

Most DCF grants are from donor advised funds. Nonprofits are invited to apply for the grant opportunities on this page, including the DCF’s Community Impact Grants, which are funded by generous donors who believe in our work to build opportunity and advance equity in Delaware.

Rehoboth Lake Fund

The purpose of the Fund shall be for grants exclusively for charitable, scientific or educational objectives, subject to the purpose and intent of the DCF, applicable law and Internal Revenue Service regulation. The Fund is intended to provide grants to qualified charitable organizations that support scientific, historical, cultural and artistic research, education, promotion and publication related to Silver Lake, Lake Comegys, and Lake Gerar in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Sussex County, Delaware. Grantees will be selected by the DCF’s grants committee or by an alternative process or committee appointed by the DCF. 

The Arts Stabilization Grants, offered by the Delaware Division of the Arts, support nonprofit organizations focused on the arts. These grants aim to fund maintenance, repairs, and renovations of facilities owned or leased by the organizations. Priority is given to projects that address structural deficiencies and enhance safety. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit arts organizations not affiliated with ArtCo. This initiative is critical for sustaining the arts in Delaware and ensuring accessible cultural experiences.

The Delaware Division of the Arts provides the Education Resource Grant to foster collaboration between Delaware schools, arts organizations, and artists, enhancing arts education for pre K-12 students. This grant supports projects that engage students in hands-on arts learning, integrate arts with other subjects, and develop standards-based curricula. Eligible applicants include nonprofit arts organizations and public schools in Delaware. The initiative aims to enrich educational experiences through arts, benefiting both students and the broader community.

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 Delaware Division of the Arts provides Education Resource grants to foster partnerships between schools, arts organizations, and artists, enhancing arts education for Pre K-12 students. These grants promote student engagement in the arts through hands-on programs, extended-time arts initiatives, and integration with other subjects. Eligible applicants include nonprofit arts organizations and public schools in Delaware. The program aims to supplement existing arts education while ensuring compliance with state regulations.

The CMFF: Faces Grants in Sussex County, led by the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, aims to support small, community-driven projects that often go unnoticed. Established in 2000, this program prioritizes local nonprofits with operating budgets under $500,000. To qualify, organizations must have been active for at least two years and serve Sussex County residents. FACES emphasizes collaboration with community leaders to ensure funding aligns with local needs, fostering impactful initiatives that enrich the community.

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 AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation Grant aims to prevent and mitigate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to promote healthier outcomes for children. With a focus on empowering families, healing behaviors, and access to healthcare, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations that provide comprehensive care and resources. Grants range from $100,000 to $250,000, totaling up to $1.945 million for project-specific initiatives. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in states where AmeriHealth Caritas Medicaid markets exist.