DCF and Tapp Network Open Applications for Nonprofit AI Capacity Cohort
Twenty Delaware nonprofits will receive a fully funded year of AI built into how they operate, with configured systems, staff training, and one-to-one support built to last beyond the grant. Applications open October 1 through October 31
The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) and Tapp Network today opened applications for the Nonprofit AI Capacity Cohort. Twenty Delaware 501(c)(3) organizations will receive a fully funded year of responsible AI capacity building: a configured workspace, workflows and agents matched to their work, staff training, and one-to-one implementation support. Applications run October 1 through October 31, 2026.
Capacity comes first. Many nonprofit AI programs fund a tool or a short training series. When the grant ends, the capability often leaves with it. This cohort funds the organization instead: working systems, an AI use policy with clear guardrails, training, and year-long support, with the goal that each organization can continue on its own operating budget afterward.
“Delaware nonprofits are being asked to do more with fewer resources, and AI can help, but only if it’s used responsibly and only if the gains are maintainable. We wanted to fund something that protects nonprofit data, is sustainable, and lets nonprofits explore the use of AI within a safe environment,” said Kate Dupont Phillips, Senior Advisor, Strategy and Impact, at the Delaware Community Foundation.
Responsible by design. Every organization in the cohort adopts a plain-language AI use policy covering data handling, human oversight, and appropriate use before its systems go live. The platform uses role-based access controls. Each nonprofit owns and controls its own data. Organizations that handle sensitive client information are flagged during the readiness process for additional care in configuration and governance. DCF receives summary-level reporting on readiness and adoption, never access to any organization’s internal data.
How selection works. The application is a free signup and a readiness assessment that takes about twenty minutes. It looks at areas such as data readiness, technology readiness, capacity to implement, policy foundation, funding readiness, change management, and use case clarity. (No fixed count is published on marketing materials until locked.) Every applicant receives a readiness category whether or not selected, along with a clear picture of what to strengthen first. Readiness gates who joins the cohort.
What selected organizations receive. Twelve months of access to a nonprofit operating platform, configured and seeded with the organization’s existing information; core systems for grants, compliance, communications, stakeholder management, staff onboarding, and support; an AI assistant and more than 200 ready-made agents built for nonprofit departments; cohort training; an AI use policy and data guardrails the organization’s board can adopt; five hours of dedicated one-to-one time with Tapp Network consultants (group webinars do not draw down those hours); and an end-of-cohort reassessment to measure what changed. That platform is TappHQ, from Tapp Network. The readiness assessment runs there. Selected organizations continue in the same environment through the funded year.
Who should apply. Delaware 501(c)(3) organizations with at least one operating problem they want AI to help solve, organizational information they can share, and a staff lead who will own adoption. Selected organizations sign a participation agreement with DCF and commit to milestones, agree to share data with DCF to be evaluated, and be present for the mandatory kickoff webinar on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Key dates. Applications open October 1 and close October 31. Organizations are notified of selection around November 3 to 4 and need to return the signed agreement promptly (target: by Friday, November 6) so the cohort can start on time. The mandatory kickoff webinar is Monday, November 9, 2026 (time TBD). Please hold November 9 on your calendar when you apply. The funded year runs through fall 2027.
Delaware nonprofits can learn more and apply at www.tapphq.com/dcf. Questions may be directed to Kate Dupont Phillips, Senior Advisor, Strategy and Impact at kdupontphillips@delcf.org.
The Nonprofit AI Capacity Cohort is a Delaware Community Foundation program. DCF funds the cohort and selects who joins. Tapp Network is the implementation partner.
About Tapp Network
Tapp Network is a Wilmington, Delaware-based growth acceleration firm. We modernize the systems that run an organization’s mission, helping purpose-driven organizations maximize their impact through technology and strategy, including responsible AI adoption. Tapp Network develops TappHQ, a nonprofit operating platform. Learn more at TappNetwork.com.