Delaware 250 Grant – Spring/Summer 2025 (may still apply for late cycles)

Delaware 250 Grant – Spring/Summer 2025 (may still apply for late cycles) is sponsored by Delaware Heritage Commission / Delaware Public Archives. Supports nonprofit or municipal public‑facing programs commemorating Delaware’s 250th anniversary with inclusive historical interpretation.

Delaware 250 Grant Opportunities - Delaware 250 Celebrate Delaware: A DE250 Black Tie Event 2026 Students’ Mock 2nd Continental Congress Delaware Scene: DE250 Events Small Wonder, Big History Delaware 250 Nonprofit Partner Application Delaware 250 Steering Committee Celebrate Delaware: A DE250 Black Tie Event 2026 Students’ Mock 2nd Continental Congress Delaware Scene: DE250 Events Small Wonder, Big History Delaware 250 Nonprofit Partner Application Delaware 250 Steering Committee Purpose | Eligibility | Funding | Timeframe | Sample Applications | Other Opportunities Important Update on Grants: We are grateful for the strong interest and participation in Delaware 250 ’s grant program.

Since spring 2024, we have been honored to distribute a total of $334,000 to support 47 organizations engaged in meaningful and creative work in all three counties. Grant recipients from our most recent and final grant cycle have now been notified. As we look ahead, we are continuing to review our funding capacity and the long-term sustainability of our programs.

As a result, the Summer 2025 grant cycle marks the conclusion of the program under its current structure. To learn more about the funded projects or additional grant and funding opportunities, please explore the recipient lists and other opportunities linked below.

Learn more about past grant recipients : Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 | Fall 2024 | Winter 2025 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 The purpose of Delaware 250 grants is to support non-profit organizations/groups and communities in developing programs or other public-facing ventures that help to commemorate the United States Semiquincentennial for Delawareans and Delaware’s visitors.

Funding may also be used to conduct research into archival collections, in order to tell a fuller, better-researched, or more inclusive story of the past. Grant funding may also support on-site improvements and other efforts to get sites “visitor ready” for the Semiquincentennial.

A potential project or undertaking need not be tied specifically to the history of the Revolutionary War, but it should contribute to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Delaware’s rich history and heritage, which should be clearly identified in the grant application narrative.

Photo credit: Delaware Historical Society Applicants are encouraged to consider a full and inclusive interpretation of this anniversary, in keeping with Delaware 250 Overarching Themes: Tell the full and honest story of Delaware’s past, which allows more people to see themselves reflected in our State’s history. Frame 1776 as a beginning, not the end, of our American story, as we continually strive toward creating “a more perfect union.

” Cultivate a deeper appreciation for Delaware’s history among state residents and visitors, so that we may celebrate Delaware’s history and inspire the next generation of caretakers of the rich and diverse histories of our State. Organizations that serve or represent groups or peoples whose histories have been underrepresented or historically marginalized are strongly encouraged to apply.

All undertakings must include a public-facing element, which should be clearly articulated in the grant narrative. Please email Delaware250@Delaware. gov to schedule this appointment.

This conversation does not guarantee funding. Eligible entities must be registered non-profit organizations or local (non-State government) municipalities with a board of trustees or other governing body. Applicants must be open to the public on a regular basis or must regularly offer programs or provide a service to the public.

Entities must be based in the State of Delaware, and proposed undertakings must benefit or be in service of Delawareans. Individuals are not eligible to apply for grants on their own, although organizations may include individuals as researchers, speakers, artists, creators, etc. within a grant application.

Eligible expenses include (but are not limited to): The development or implementation of programs or resources for the public related to the Semiquincentennial The research, development, or mounting of special exhibits or cultural or artistic undertakings related to the Semiquincentennial Honoraria for speakers, performers, or other outside experts for events or programs related to the Semiquincentennial Purchasing of materials related to such undertakings Hiring of temporary workers or wages for part-time staff, specifically for a program, project, or research directly tied to the Semiquincentennial Physical or infrastructure improvements to get sites “visitor ready” for the public (please note that the funding amounts—see below—preclude large-scale capital projects) Taking steps necessary to make collections accessible to the public, whether through digital means, allowing for on-site access, or other means of access Archival or archaeological research, for purposes of telling a fuller, better-researched, or more inclusive story of the past Materials, supplies, or part-time wages incurred for training of part-time staff and/or volunteers on new interpretive plans, relevant to the 250 th anniversary Ineligible expenses include (but are not limited to): Programs/initiatives that are not concerned with the research, presentation, or interpretation of Delawarean or American history Salaries for full-time staff or for regularly-scheduled part-time staff as part of their ongoing work (i.e., staffing for regularly scheduled tours) Ongoing operational expenses Programs or expenses on privately-held property Programs that advance a political agenda or advocate for a public policy Reenactment of battles, skirmishes, or other forms of combat.

Military encampments or demonstrations, supervised by a trained safety manager, are eligible for funding. Organizations may submit only one application at a time and must finish one grant and submit a final report before applying for another grant. Interested in an Oral History Project?

Many groups are using the milestone of the United States Semiquincentennial as an opportunity to document the unique stories of their communities and constituencies. Recognizing this interest, the Delaware Heritage Commission has acquired oral history recording equipment to make available to organizations across Delaware. If you are interested in conducting an oral history project, please contact delaware250@delaware.

gov . Equipment is subject to availability. The Heritage Commission also hosts workshops on oral history best practices.

Please visit their website for more information. Applicants should carefully consider the budgetary requirements for their proposed projects. The cap for funding requests for the Summer 2025 cycle is $20,000, and smaller requests are encouraged.

A budget review will be part of the initial conversation with Delaware 250 prior to applying. Any grants over $7,500 should include a fifty percent match, meaning that the grant recipient must match fifty percent of the total award. Matching funding does not need to be monetary and may include the valuation of staff or volunteer time, the use of facilities, or in-kind services.

These matching funds, if applicable, must be accounted for in the project budget. Delaware 250 grants may be eligible to be used as matching funds for grants that require a match (for example, federal grants).

For funding in Application Deadline Grant Review Grant Notification Grant Report October 2025 August 31, 2025 September 2025 By October 3, 2025 No later than October 31, 2026 *Anticipated dates; exact dates will be listed as part of the official Notice of Funding Opportunity.

All funds must be spent within twelve months of receiving funds and a final report submitted within three months of the program’s conclusion or of funds being spent. Failure to file a final report may result in ineligibility for subsequent funding. Unspent funds must be returned to Delaware 250 .

Sample Grant Applications These successful applications from previous funding cycles may provide guidance to potential applicants.

They represent a range of project budgets and have been selected because they represent one or more of the following: project that alights with the key themes of Delaware 250 , innovative programming or interpretive approach, an interest in research or in making archival collections more accessible, creative use of resources, strength of partnerships, and/or examples of strong letters of support.

Please note that the projects proposed in these applications suited the needs of these specific institutions. Other institutions will have different needs or interpretive strengths and should tailor their proposed application to meet those strengths. Greater Harrington Historical Society : For the organization and care of their archival collections, making these collections more accessible to the public.

Lewes Historical Society : For the interpretation of a new space, based on archival sources and to present a more inclusive narrative of the past. The Milford Museum : For a documentary interpreting an important part of the town’s history. Newark Historical Society : For virtual and community-based programming while the museum is under construction.

Other Grant or Funding Opportunities In addition to Delaware 250 grants, there are other organizations across Delaware that support projects with similar themes to Delaware 250. We encourage you to check out these other opportunities as well. (While Delaware 250 cannot guarantee it, in some cases, Delaware 250 grant funding may be a source of matching funds for grants listed below.)

Delaware Division of the Arts Delaware Heritage Commission Friends of the Delaware Archives Harold Handcock Research Fellowship Delaware Distressed Cemetery Fund These links provided as a courtesy. Delaware 250 does not maintain the above websites or administer the respective grant programs. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.

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