Community Equity and Vital Living Conditions Improvement Grant

Community Equity and Vital Living Conditions Improvement Grant is a grant program administered through the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) as part of its Healthy Communities Delaware initiative.

The program funds community-level projects that improve the vital conditions all people need to thrive, including humane housing, lifelong learning, a thriving natural environment, meaningful work and wealth, basic needs for health and safety, reliable transportation, and a sense of belonging and civic muscle. Eligible applicants are community-based organizations in Delaware.

The program operates through a two-stage process: a letter of interest followed by a full application, with the full application deadline of April 30, 2026. The initiative works with communities, investors, and systems to create thriving places for thriving people, with an emphasis on building opportunity and advancing equity across Delaware.

Apply For Grants | Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) Give to an Existing DCF Fund Advisors: Partner with Us Charitable Partners Program Nonprofits: Partner with Us Build Knowledge & Relationships 2025 Scholarship Recipients Strengthening Communities Give to an Existing DCF Fund Advisors: Partner with Us Charitable Partners Program Nonprofits: Partner with Us Build Knowledge & Relationships 2025 Scholarship Recipients Strengthening Communities Nonprofits: Partner with Us Build Knowledge & Relationships 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. Read about our 2023 Community Impact Grants .

Grant Opportunities Currently Open Read about general grant eligibility . Each grant also has individual eligibility requirements. Please review our Grantee Publicity Guidelines .

Highmark BluePrints for the Community – Small | Statewide | Opened: February 9, 2026 | Closes: April 9, 2026 BluePrints for the Community grant program , which is a grants program of the Highmark Delaware Fund, a donor-advised fund at the DCF, will support health-related projects, programs and supportive services.

Preference is given to programs that fit BluePrints for the Community priority areas, which are: increasing access to health care for uninsured/underserved, reducing health disparities in minority communities, supporting early childhood development with initiatives focused on health, recruiting and training health care professionals and addressing social determinants of health.

Grants are reviewed on a rolling basis with decisions announced to applicants at the beginning of each month . Small Grants cannot exceed $50,000. BluePrints Info Webinar Slides 2026 BluePrints Info Webinar 2026 Passcode: 9riHr*Q3 Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Blueprints for the Community Grant Program Healthy Communities Delaware | Statewide | Opened: January 12, 2026 | LOI Closes: March 1, 2026 | Full application Closes: April 30, 2026 Healthy Communities Delaware (HCD) is pleased to announce this Request for Proposals for work that advances community level-change and improves the Vital Conditions that all people and communities need to thrive—humane housing, lifelong learning, a thriving natural environment, meaningful work and wealth, basic needs for health and safety, reliable transportation, a sense of belonging and civic muscle.

This funding aims to support projects that align with their mission of working with communities, investors and systems to create thriving places for thriving people. RFP and application documents Questions can be directed to Kate Dupont Phillips to [email protected] . Submit your letter of interest online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Watch the informational webinar recording using passcode: 8Q^YGY? b Connect with other potential applicants. Learn more about upstream work through this video .

Grant Opportunities Currently Not Open 21st Century Children’s Fund: Education or Financial Assistance | Opens: March 16, 2026 | Closes: April 17, 2026 Education programming or Financial assistance programs for at-risk children or young adults up to age 21 to participate in programs or experiences that help them define their strengths, improve their self-esteem, and build a sense of hope for the future.

Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. Dave Ryerson Fund and the Beekhuis Community Fund: Statewide small arts | Opens: March 16, 2026 | Closes: April 17, 2026 Statewide small arts grants programs and projects Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. Quintin E.

Primo Jr. Fund for Racial Justice and the African American Empowerment Fund of Delaware | Opens: March 16, 2026 | Closes: April 17, 2026 Educational programs and projects that promote racial justice and the empowerment of African Americans Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. June J. and Russell W.

Peterson Fund for Social Justice | Opens: March 16, 2026 | Closes: April 17, 2026 Purpose of the Fund: To support programs submitted by Delaware organizations that serve the poor through one or more of the following fields: jobs, housing, health care, education, and community members re-entering society. Awards will range between: $1,000 to $1,500 Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Rehoboth Lakes Fund | Statewide | Opened: February 9, 2026 | Closed: February 20, 2026 These small grants will 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.

Awards will range from $250 to $500 Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Lewes and Rehoboth Canal Fund | Statewide | Opened: February 9, 2026 | Closed: February 20, 2026 These small grants will support scientific, educational, historical, cultural and artistic programs focusing on the canal, as defined as from Roosevelt Inlet in Lewes at the north and to the mouth above Dewey Beach emptying into Rehoboth Bay.

Awards will range from $250 to $500 Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. Lynn W. Williams Natural Science Education Fund | Statewide | Opened: February 9, 2026 | Closed: February 20, 2026 These small grants will support education programming for experiential science learning for underprivileged girls.

This includes educational programming equipment, stipend for instructors, or overall programming for STEM based learning for girls. Awards will range from $250 to $500 Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Therapeutic Riding | Statewide | Opened: February 9, 2026 | Closed: February 20, 2026 These small grants will fund programs that provide therapeutic riding and/or educational programs on therapeutic riding. Supported programs include therapeutic riding as a therapeutic modality, equipment needs to provide these programs and/or therapeutic riding programmatic needs.

Awards will range from $500 to $1,000 Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. Walls & Turner, Fulfillment of Children’s Wishes | Statewide | Opened: February 9, 2026 | Closed: February 20, 2026 These small grants will support educational programming that fulfills terminally ill children’s wishes.

Awards will range from $5,000 to $10,000 Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Walls & Turner & Freida Dolby Fund: Animal Welfare | Statewide | Opened: February 9, 2026 | Closed: February 20, 2026 Assist in the training of professionally trained seeing-eye dogs and service assistance dogs for blind individuals, deaf individuals and/or individuals with mobility impairments and/or other physical disabilities Provide support services in connection with the placements of such dogs with eligible recipients who are residents of the State of Delaware who demonstrate a drive to become more independent and who would not be able to acquire such dogs without financial assistance Encourage the humane treatment of animals in Delaware through education of the public, adoption of animals without owners, neutering, and enforcement of laws governing the humane treatment of animals.

Awards will range from $2,500 to $7,500. Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. Lee & Florence Kvalnes Charitable Fund | Statewide | Opened: February 9, 2026 | Closed: February 20, 2026 These small grants will fund education programming supporting at-risk families for them to become self-sufficient.

This includes but is not limited to tuition or daycare assistance, family wellness classes, transportation assistance. Awards will range from $250 to $500 Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Ralph & Betty Murray Family Fund | Statewide | Opened: February 9, 2026 | Closed: February 20, 2026 Programs that conduct diabetes research or provide services and support for individuals with diabetes and related health conditions. Awards will range from $500 to $1,000 Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Wilmington New Castle Pediatric Association Fund | Statewide | Opened: February 9, 2026 | Closed: February 20, 2026 These small grants will fund educational programming for pediatric healthcare providers. Supported programs include continuing education credit programming, conference, training for pediatric healthcare providers.

Awards will range from $2,500 to $5,000 Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Fund for Women | Statewide | Opened: January 1, 2026 | Closed: January 31, 2026 The FFW accepts applications from nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations for programs that address the needs and enhance the worth and potential of women and girls in Delaware by helping them to lead productive, self-sufficient lives.

The FFW’s one-year grant offers organizations an opportunity to obtain seed money for innovative, creative programming or funding to continue or expand programs where effectiveness has been demonstrated. Grants will not be awarded to individuals. FFW 2026 Grant Application Questions regarding Grant Applications can be directed to [email protected] .

Youth Philanthropy Board | New Castle County | Opened: December 1, 2025 | Closed: January 2, 2026 In 2026, the New Castle County YPB will support nonprofits that are providing mental health programs or support for individuals who may be experiencing food insecurity, substance abuse, or suicide-risk (which could include populations such as LGBTQIA, teenaged parents and youth in foster care).

Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. Youth Philanthropy Board | Kent County | Opened: December 1, 2025 | Closed: January 2, 2026 In 2026, the Kent YPB aims to support residents by funding the safety of those in need of greater assistance and protecting the land they live on.

They will offer grants to non-profits that have a drive to aid Student Support Services, People with Disabilities, Environmental Conservation and/or Violence Prevention. Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Youth Philanthropy Board | Sussex County | Opened: December 1, 2025 | Closed: January 2, 2026 In 2026, The Sussex County YPB will fund nonprofits that support family success, especially those at-risk families experiencing mental health issues, domestic/gun violence, and/or food insecurity/homelessness.

They will also fund support services for those who are in need of assistance for early to secondary education, recreational (art/sports) activities, or finding jobs. Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Standard Arsht Cannon LOI | Opened: September 1, 2025 | Closed: December 31, 2025 The ACF standard grant application will open to approved applicants February 1, 2026 after a Letter of Intent is first submitted and approved for a full application. To submit an LOI between September 1 through December 31, 2025, please sign into your Foundant account to complete. See below for Letter of Intent information.

Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. To playback the Standard Grant Application Webinar, click HERE . Georgetown-Millsboro Rotary Flags for Heroes | Sussex County | Opened: September 1, 2025 | Closed: October 31, 2025 Grants awarded will be $500 – $5,000 to nonprofit organizations working to address community needs in Georgetown and Millsboro.

Nonprofits organizations located in Georgetown or Millsboro will be given priority, but other organizations operating statewide can apply if they are a state agency. Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Borkee Hagley Foundation Grant Fund | Statewide | Opened: August 11, 2025 | Closed: October 15, 2025 The Borkee Hagley Fund grants specifically support clinical research, care and social and emotional support services for the comprehensive and complex care of patients and families suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. This includes cognitive and movement disorders like Huntington’s Disease, ALS, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s.

Previous and new potential grantees are welcomed to apply if their programs fit the Borkee Hagley Fund area of priority. Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Caesar Rodney Rotary Foundation | New Castle County | Opened: September 1, 2025 | Closed: October 15, 2025 The Caesar Rodney Rotary Foundation grant opportunity is available to nonprofit organizations in New Castle County, DE serving youth and young adults ages birth through 25 years who are underserved and at risk for not having the skills and support for a self-sufficient future. The grant maximum is $5,000.

The Caesar Rodney Rotary Foundation (CRRF) was formed in 2018, as a means for the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club to accelerate the mission of educating the community and addressing the needs of youth at risk in New Castle County, Delaware. Educating the community includes providing public awareness of the need as well as encouraging volunteer opportunities to address the needs. More information about the CRRF can be found on website www.

crrfoundation. org . Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Capital Project Grants | Statewide | Opened: September 16, 2025 | Closed: October 16, 2025 DCF capital grants assist with the acquisition, final-stage design, construction, repair, renovation, rehabilitation, or other capital improvements of facilities, so nonprofits in all three counties can operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. An ideal capital grant does more than just renovate or repair.

It helps an organization that is already strong to serve its community even better. Supported capital projects will have a lasting, positive impact on the population or community served by the grantee organization. Grants will not exceed $20,000 other than on rare occasions due to their exceptional merits, based on the discretion of the DCF Grants Committee.

The capital grants are the only grants from the DCF that have a waiting period for grantees. Once an award is provided, grantees must wait two full grant cycles before applying again. Year Organization is eligible to apply: Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

The Next Generation – Northern Delaware | New Castle County | Opened: August 25, 2025 | Closed: September 26, 2025 Grants supports programs addressing early childhood development. The Next Gen North Grant total is $7,500. Next Gen North, after a hiatus due to leadership changes, will support initiatives that address early childhood development issues facing vulnerable Delawareans in New Castle County.

Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. The Next Generation – Southern Delaware | Kent and Sussex Counties | Opened: June 30 | Closed: August 1, 2025 Grants supports programs addressing addiction treatment, family services, emergency housing and homelessness prevention. The Next Gen South Grant total is $5,000.

Since its inception in 2012, Next Gen South has supported initiatives that address the underlying social challenges facing vulnerable Delawareans in Kent and Sussex. Grant recipients from 2024 will NOT be eligible to receive funds for this year’s grants. Next Gen South Grants Guidelines Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Roy Klein Education Fund | Kent County | Opened: June 5, 2025 | Closed: July 15, 2025 The Roy Klein Education Fund supports nonprofits in Kent County for projects that support improvements to life in Central Delaware through economic development initiatives and related career and occupational education in Kent County, including all of Smyrna and Milford.

Organizations must be a 501(c)3 and their programming or activities must directly benefit Kent County . The maximum award made this year is $3,000. Organizations applying for grants from the Roy Klein Education Fund must use this online form.

Your brief replies to questions contained within will provide concise, standardized information, from which comparisons of organizations and proposals will be made. Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Potter Charitable Trust | Kent County | Opened: May 15, 2025 | Closed: June 30, 2025 Nonprofit organizations supporting the needy in Kent County are invited to apply for grants from the Benjamin F. Potter Trust through the Delaware Community Foundation. The purpose of the Benjamin F.

Potter Trust, created in 1843 and one of the oldest continuing trusts of its type in the nation, is to aid the economically underprivileged in Kent County by supporting charitable organizations serving these individuals. The CenDel Foundation, which brings expertise in needs in Kent County, serves as the grant recommendation committee.

The areas of focus considered for funding are: Crisis/emergency assistance funding for basic needs Grants will support proposals for charitable organizations and activities involving programs that have a lasting, positive impact on Kent County. All applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision in August 2025. For more information, please contact Mike DiPaolo at 302-889-1884.

To find out more about CenDel, visit www. cendelfoundation. org .

Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. BluePrints – Large | Statewide | Opened: April 1, 2025 | Closed: May 31, 2025 The BluePrints for the Community Fund, a grant program of of the Highmark Delaware Fund at the DCF, is currently accepting applications for their large grants to support health-related projects and services.

Grant proposals should aim to increase access to care and/or reduce health disparities through a program or project that falls within one of these five focus areas: For example: preventative care, disease specific, health literacy, research, etc. Economic Stability for families and individuals For example: financial resources strains, food insecurity, housing stability, etc. Social and Community Context health, physical activities, social connections, etc. Neighborhood and Built Environment For example: safety, transportation, environmental health, infrastructure, etc. Blueprints for the Community Grant Program Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Meet the Moment Grants | Opened: May 1, 2025 | Closed: May 30, 2025 The nonprofit landscape is shifting—funding sources, donor priorities, and the legality of services are more uncertain than ever.

To help nonprofits “meet the moment,” the DCF has created a funding opportunity for organizations to request support in one or more of the following areas: Contingency planning: Assess Readiness and capacity Financial forecast: Hire a financial professional to create a financial forecast Storytelling: Develop a messaging plan to help your organization in fundraising, advocacy, and/or volunteering Board Engagement: Develop emergency protocols, create crisis communication, plan to increase networks and community support Merger or Closure: These unprecedented times may present the need for a merger or closure of your organization.

Request funding to assist in the planning or initial steps in this process. This is not an exhaustive list of areas of focus but rather ideas to aid in your planning. The DCF will support organizations that know their path forward but need assistance on that path.

Future grant opportunities will be available for other organizations that are not prepared at this time to request support. Our goal is to invest up to $425,000 and invite requests up to $20,000. Deadline to submit the application is May 30, 2025 at 11:59pm – late entries will not be accepted.

What if I have additional questions? If you have any technical questions related to the grant management system, please email Kelly Sheridan at [email protected] or call at 302-889-1907. If you have any questions about the application or the grant opportunity, please email Yolanda Rushdan at [email protected] or call at 302-504-5239.

Meet the Moment Grant Webinar Slides Meet the Moment Grant Webinar Recording Frequently Asked Questions Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above. Pettinaro Supports Delaware Communities Grant | Opened: April 15, 2025 | Closed: May 15, 2025 This fund knows that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives.

This organization stems from the humble mindset of Verino and Midge Pettinaro that “one always gives more than they may receive. ” This organization was created to better community through love and kindness.

Pettinaro Supports Delaware Communities will support requests from organizations focused on one of these areas: Community Insecurities (Food, Housing, Basic Needs) Please submit your application online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button above.

Login to see all the funds available and apply today Give to an Existing DCF Fund Nonprofits: Partner with Us Strengthening Communities Advisors: Partner with Us Charitable Partners Program Become a Charitable Partner 2025 Scholarship Recipients PO Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899 100 W. 10th Street, Suite 115, Wilmington, DE 19801 PO Box 492, Lewes, DE 19958 Can DCF help me with my corporate clients charitable giving? Yes!

Business and corporate giving programs and availability through the DCF Calculators – annuities and endowments? Planned giving tools – plannedgiving. com First, read the program details and eligibility requirements for the specific grant you are interested in.

All grant applications are received via our online grant portal . When you are ready to apply: Click any “ Apply Now ” button to go to the portal. 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 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 are not able to support: 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) Public or tuition-based educational institutions 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 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.

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