Youth Philanthropy Board Grants (New Castle County)

Youth Philanthropy Board Grants (New Castle County) is sponsored by Delaware Community Foundation (DCF). The New Castle County Youth Philanthropy Board will support programs that increase access to services providing youth with basic necessities, including mental health, safe housing, and food security, with special consideration for organizations that have an educational component.

Youth Philanthropy Board | Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) The Delaware Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Boards (YPBs), one in each of Delaware’s three counties, are composed of students from public, independent and diocesan high schools throughout the state. Every year, each YPB makes grant recommendations to support impactful projects in their communities.

Together, they develop a focus area, solicit and evaluate proposals, conduct site visits and award grants. 2025 was the 26th year of the YPBs. Started by a former DCF Board Member, the program has had over 750 students serve from nearly every high school in Delaware and have awarded over $900,000 in grants.

In 2025, our three YPBs distributed a record $111,000 in grants to 37 nonprofit organizations. Each YPB selects a different focus area.

Focus areas for 2025 grants are: In 2025, the New Castle County YPB will support programs that increase access to services that provide (youth) with basic necessities including mental health, safe housing, and food security with special consideration given to organizations that have an educational component.

In 2025, The Kent County YPB will provide support to non-profits that address the vital conditions of health for people and the protection of animals and the environment. Examples are services for the homeless, mental health, violence prevention, student support, and conservation of the land. In 2025, The Sussex County YPB wants to assist students and families with their social, economic, and educational development.

Nonprofits that focus on the following are encouraged to apply: access to K-12 sports/mentoring/tutoring, basic needs assistance, addiction recovery/prevention, and/or mental health (including animal therapy).

Focus areas for 2026 grants coming soon… 2025-2026 Youth Philanthropy Board Cohorts David Chen, Angela Zhang, Karrington Johnson, Theresa Dills, Emilie Neild, Asma Muhammad, Dhruvi Patel, Yandel Camacho, Siddarth Sharma, Sophia Gomes, Katherine McCrea, Patrick Pino, Payton Smith, Elisha Liu, Ariana Brice Addison Brode, Eden Cheslock, Lucy Chorman, Evan Easton, Aleem Fields, Ava Gallo, Miranda Garey, Lexi Hay, Jacob Kaminski, Mashira Phelps, Brian Song, Austin Yourek Chase Ballinger, Marshay Brown, Maximo Castellanos, Fatma Darilmaz, Maribella DiCenzo, Will DiPaolo, Alex Ellis, Shama Estimable, Colleen Holohan, Haley Mills, Floyd Moore V, Danny Nguyen, John Olakowski, Idaina Pasteur, Payton Richie, Avery Rose, Destiny Snow, Aubrey Stanislav, Jack Wells, Nona Wright The Youth Philanthropy Boards need your support!

To sponsor the students in one county or statewide, please contact Yolanda Rushdan , Senior Program Officer, 302. 504. 5239.

2027 YPB Grants will open on December 1, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us. 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.

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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