Our History
The Delaware Community 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.
Founding Board
John J. Quindlen
Chair
Arden B. Engebretsen
Vice Chair
Edward G. Jefferson
Alexander F. Giacco
Donald L. Cielewich
Harry Corless
Brian J. Donnelly
Mrs. H.B. duPont
Pierre S. duPont III
James H. Gilliam, Sr.
Genevieve Gore
Howard M. Handleman
Richard E. Heckert
Robert M. Hoyt
William C. Lickle
Thomas L. McFalls
Jeremiah P. Shea
Irving S. Shapiro
The DCF Over Time
1984
DuPont executive Pierre S. du Pont III investigates the community foundation concept, changing Delaware forever.
1985
DuPont meets with Eugene Struckhoff, the “Johny Appleseed” of community foundations; Gannett Foundation provides $25,000 grant for exploration.
July 23, 1986
Founded with start-up funding from Bank of Delaware, DuPont, ICI, Hercules, Wilmington Trust.
1987
Collis Townsend joins as Executive Director.
1987 – 88
Twenty-eight charitable trusts including the Delaware Foundation, a DCF forerunner, consolidated at the DCF.
1989 – 1992
The DCF receives a $2 million matching grant from Gov. Mike Castle and the State. By 1992 the DCF has raised $4.5 million, exceeding the goal.
1991
The DCF receives a $500, 000 “transformative” gift from the Ford and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur foundations.
1992
The DCF exceeds $1 million in grants to the community for the first time.
1993
Launch of Fund for Women and ArtCo.
1997
The DCF helps to establish the Community Services Building in Wilmington and becomes first tenant.
1999
The Rodel Charitable Foundation – Delaware founded by Bill, Susan and Don Budinger with a gift of $55 million.
1999
Launch of the Youth Philanthropy Boards program for high school students.
2001
Paul King, 2001 Hired to serve as President & CEO.
2001
Arsht-Cannon Fund established; in 2004 it will begin to focus on serving Hispanic Communities.
2002
Fred Sears joins as CEO; first southern Delaware office opens in Georgetown.
2003
Delaware State Parks opens the first of many funds at DCF.
2005
Hurricane Katrine – DuPont and the DCF works together to deliver funds.
2006
20th Anniversary Celebration featuring NFL coaching legend Dick Vermil.
The DCF supports the establishment of Delaware Aging Network.
2007
Next Gen North giving circle for young professionals launches.
Next Gen South follows in 2012.
2008
African American Empowerment Fund of Delaware (AAEFD) giving circle launches to serve Black communities.
2011
25th Anniversary Celebration, featuring then Vice President Joe Biden and honoring the Arsht Family.
2012
AAEFD provides the loan that saves the historic Hockessin School #107 from demolition.
2015
Beau Biden Memorial Endowment Fund established in honor of his passing; more than $500,000 raised in first month.
2016
Stuart Comstock-Gay joins as CEO after Fred Sears’ retirement.
2018
Building Opportunity launches with Robert Putnam as the first author and speaker.
2019
The Healthy Communities Delaware, an initiative created between the DCF, Delaware Dept. of Public Health and University of Delaware, launches.
2020
Working with partners the DCF raises $5+ million for COVID pandemic response – and began granting into the community within weeks – the fastest response of any community foundation.
2024
The DCF cuts the ribbon on its new office in Southern Delaware.
2025
$13+ million grant commitment from DCF’s Boerger Fund to University of Delaware, for Alzheimer’s research.
2025
The DCF launches Meet the Moment responding to nonprofit federal funding crisis.
2026
More than $1 million in scholarships awarded from the DCF for the first time.
2026
The DCF launches the Campaign for Delaware Now & Forever with the goal of building flexible resources to serve the needs of the state today, tomorrow and always.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.