The DCF works with many partners to advance various important initiatives and programs to strengthen our communities. Among our current key initiatives, collaborations and programs are:
Healthy Communities Delaware
This year, the DCF joined the University of Delaware Partnership for Healthy Communities and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services to launch Healthy Communities Delaware (HCD).
HCD is an initiative to help coordinate activities and resources throughout the state to address the social determinants of health, such as housing, education, food, income, and social justice and equity.
Delaware’s current investments in health care have not led to better outcomes – according to the United Health Foundation’s website americashealthrankings.org, the state is ranked 30th in the country. With an initial investment of $500,000 from the state, HCD includes representatives of 30 Delaware organizations addressing health issues and will begin providing technical assistance and grants for community-based projects by early 2020.
Strengthening Latino Communities
The DCF led research efforts that explored critical issues in our Sussex County Latino communities more deeply and identified opportunities for collaboration and action. This initiative was supported by a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and accomplished with many partners, including the Arsht-Cannon Fund.
Youth Philanthropy Board
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.
In 2022, our three YPBs distributed $55,000 in grants to 19 nonprofit organizations. Since the YPB program began in 1999, more than 470 students have served as YPB members and have awarded nearly $550,000 in grants. Learn more and view previous grant recipients.
Key Collaborators
Originally planned by the Honorable Roxana Cannon Arsht and S. Samuel Arsht, who committed their time and wealth to the state they loved, the Arsht-Cannon Fund continues their legacy of leadership and charity in perpetuity. The Arsht-Cannon Fund was created to “preserve, support, protect, and defend the best interests of a civil society.” The fund is currently focused on improving the quality of life for all Delawareans by increasing educational opportunities and access to healthcare for Hispanic Delawareans.
The Division of Parks and Recreation operates and maintains 17 state parks and related preserves and greenways throughout Delaware. Their mission is to provide Delaware’s residents and visitors with safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities and open spaces, responsible stewardship of the lands and the cultural and natural resources that they have been entrusted to protect and manage, and resource-based interpretive and educational services.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware (Highmark Delaware) created the BluePrints for the Community grants program by establishing the Highmark Delaware Fund at the DCF in 2007. Through BluePrints, Highmark Delaware supports programs that address social determinants of health, reduce health disparities in minority communities, increase access to healthcare for the uninsured and underserved, recruit and train healthcare professionals, and support early childhood development. Learn more about the impact in Highmark Blueprints 2021 Annual Report.
Rodel, a supporting organization of the DCF, partners with Delawareans and educational innovators from around the world to transform public education in the First State. They work with community leaders, legislators, funders, and educators to make policy changes that can improve students’ lives.