Announcements

Honoring Sherman L. Townsend

We are devastated by the passing of Sherman Townsend, one of the founders of the DCF, a former board chair, and longtime friend. Click here to give in his honor.
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2022 Building Opportunity Keynote Presentation

Thank you for joining us for the 2022 Building Opportunity Keynote Presentation with Mónica Guzmán! In her talk, Guzmán spoke about how we can build better communities by listening, being …
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Building Opportunity in Delaware Podcast: Season Four

Season Four of Building Opportunity in Delaware is here! Stuart Comstock-Gay sits down with author and journalist Mónica Guzmán to talk about the power of curiosity, and the conversations with …
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2023 DCF Journalism Internship Application Deadline Extended

College students are invited to apply for paid, full-time internships in Delaware newsrooms through the 2023 DCF Journalism Internship Program. The deadline to apply has been extended to Dec. 9, …
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Make Your End-of-Year Giving Today!

Make a tax-deductible gift until midnight Dec. 31, even if the DCF offices are closed! (DCF offices will be closed all day on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.)
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COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund
Impact Report

Beginning in March 2020, Delawareans donated more than $5.3 million to the Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund, a partnership of the Delaware Community Foundation and Philanthropy Delaware.
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2022 State of the Foundation

See DCF President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay’s 2022 State of the Foundation address, first presented on June 16 at Bellevue State Park in Wilmington.
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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

We know many of you are concerned about Ukraine. See our list of ways to help, as well as a webinar about the impact on global markets.
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Donor Impact Report

In our new Donor Impact Report, see how donors partner with us to make a difference in unique and powerful ways on the causes they care about, in Delaware and around the country.
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We’re On a Hybrid Schedule!

As we continue to get back to our norms from the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, our hybrid schedule is ever-changing to make our staff as available as possible to you! The …
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The Power of Giving

Learn about the impact of the Highmark Delaware Fund at the DCF in the new report The Power of Giving 2021 Annual Report: Blueprints for the Community Grants Program
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At the Delaware Community Foundation,
our focus is on supporting our community.

At the Delaware Community Foundation, our focus is on building opportunity and advancing equity. We do this in three key ways:

  • Helping Donors – We partner with generous people to help them achieve their charitable goals and maximize the impact of their giving, by managing charitable funds and administering grants.
  • Making Grants – Through our direct grant programs, we identify and invest in nonprofits’ most powerful work to serve the people of Delaware. 
  • Providing Leadership – We inspire, convene and facilitate conversations about important community issues, shining a light on opportunities to make a difference.

Who We Serve

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Donors & Fundholders
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Community
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Nonprofits
Scholarship Seekers
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Professional Advisors

Donors & Fundholders

The DCF has the expertise and resources you need to achieve your charitable goals, maximizing both impact and tax advantages. We help donors like you establish charitable funds and award grants to benefit causes you care about.

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Community

We are passionate about Delaware’s diverse communities, from Selbyville to Claymont. We connect leaders from nonprofits, government and the private sector to explore our communities’ assets and challenges, shining a light on important issues and opportunities to drive lasting change.

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Nonprofits

The DCF helps nonprofit organizations by awarding grants, managing endowed funds, and providing community events and activities that build knowledge and relationships. More than 180 nonprofits organizations have funds at the DCF, which strengthens their financial stability, empowers them to accept complex charitable gifts, and instills confidence in their donors.

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Scholarship Seekers

Thanks to our donors, the DCF awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships each year. Scholarships help lay the groundwork for a more equitable and prosperous Delaware for the future.

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Professional Advisors

We partner with professional advisors who want to help their clients achieve their charitable goals and maximize tax advantages, both during their lifetimes and through their estate planning. By providing highly personalized service, the DCF strengthens and reinforces the advisor-client relationship.

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Our Impact

In the past year, the DCF:


Helped 600+ fundholders give charitably

Welcomed 50 new fundholders

Invested $30,419,900 in the community through 2,076 grants

Awarded the final grants from the COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund, totaling $5,300,000

Awarded $408,388 in scholarships to 142 students

Currently at the DCF

Delaware Community Foundation Announces New Specific Interest Grants

Delaware nonprofits are invited to apply now for the Delaware Community Foundation’s Specific Interest Grants. The deadline is 5 p.m., Jan. 6, 2023.  From the performing arts to animal…
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Grants Available from DCF’s Youth Philanthropy Boards

Funding available for Delaware nonprofit organizations in all three counties  Delaware nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for grants from the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) Youth…
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The Circle in Georgetown to be Lit in Green for National Philanthropy Day the Week of Nov. 14

The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) and the Town of Georgetown will light up The Circle in green for the week of Nov. 14 to celebrate the impact of philanthropy and …
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MORE DCF NEWS

The DCF connects with Delaware communities’ FUTURE needs, devises mechanisms to satisfy those needs, and then skillfully enables those who want to do good to proceed as they wish.

— Adly & Sheila Gorrafa, Gorrafa Family Charitable Funds

The DCF is an important partner in our philanthropic work in Delaware. They help us maximize our impact on the health and well-being of people throughout the First State.

– Nick Moriello, president, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware

Being a supporting organization of the DCF is like having a support net. They have been a wonderful resource for us and a great partner.

— Susan Budinger, Rodel

Working with the Delaware Community Foundation, I’m able to do the charitable work I want to do without the administrative costs and responsibility of a private foundation.

— Louise Cummings, who established the Ballard Community Fund at the DCF in memory of her husband, the late Corporal Stephen Ballard

The DCF takes the hassle out of philanthropic giving, leaving the ‘fun part’ for the donor. They simplified everything.

— Ed Wilchinski, Roy Klein Education Fund

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