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DCF Awards $71,000 in Narrow Specific Interest Grants  

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The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) announced the recipients of its latest round of grants, dedicated to supporting organizations that align with specific areas of service and impact. These grants, drawn from various specialized funds at the DCF, will empower nonprofits that address unique community needs across Delaware, including animal welfare and diabetes research.  
 
One grantee, Delaware Bat Rehabilitation and Conservation (DBRC) received $5,000.00 from the Walls & Turner Charitable Fund for wildlife conservation, providing veterinary care, education, and outreach to promote humane treatment of bats. Their all-volunteer team works regionally to raise awareness and dispel myths about bats.  

“We’re so excited to receive this grant, which will allow us to enhance bat education and programming efforts across Delaware” said Kesha Braunskill, Founder of DBRC. “With these funds, we can develop training materials and publications to educate the public on how to safely handle, move and contain an injured bat to a rehabilitator. We can also purchase a bat detector to showcase the high-frequency echolocation bats use to communicate, highlighting how often bats are nearby. The public often perceives bats as scary, but they are a deeply misunderstood species that deserve our respect and care.”  

Other grant recipients include:  

  • 4Youth – $7,500.00 from the Freida Dolby Fund for providing free professional photography services to local animal welfare organizations, supporting adoption efforts for Heartly Meadows, Faithful Friends, and Humane Animal Partners of Delaware.  
  • Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research – $5,000.00 from the Walls & Turner Charitable Fund for public education and outreach programs focused on preventing wild bird injuries and deaths through community education on wildlife safety and stewardship. Approximately 70% of Tri-State’s clinic patients are birds injured, sickened, or orphaned due to human related causes. These pre-K through high school programs reduce wild bird injuries, giving them the best chance to thrive in the wild.  
  • Paws for People – $6,950.00 from the Walls & Turner Charitable Fund for the Pet Therapy Program, where trained volunteers and certified therapy animals provide individualized therapeutic visits to enhance community well-being. 
  • Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding (SDTR) – $5,000.00 from the Walls & Turner Charitable Fund and Freida Dolby Fund for horse training and evaluation, ensuring the well-being of therapy horses used in equine-assisted services for individuals with disabilities. Their focus is on creating a nurturing environment where horses can thrive and be responsive partners in the program. 
  • Brandywine Valley SPCA – $5,000.00 from the Walls & Turner Charitable Fund for general operating support to promote humane animal treatment, adoption, and education. 
  • Forgotten Cats – $5,000.00 from the Walls & Turner Charitable Fund for free spay and neuter services to low-income individuals in Western Sussex County to reduce animal suffering and overpopulation. Forgotten Cats also works with pet owners and colony caretakers to educate them on proper animal care. 
  • Nemours Children’s Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) – $13,571.44 from the Wilmington New Castle Pediatric Association Fund to purchase MegaCode Kid, a pediatric-sized mid-fidelity simulator used to teach management of pediatric emergencies. 
  • Make-A-Wish Delaware – $10,000.00 from the Walls & Turner Charitable Fund for creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses in Delaware, including trips, educational support, and unique experiences. 
  • Academia Antonia Alonso Charter School – $1,629.08 from the Therapeutic Riding at Carousel Fund for expanding the equestrian therapy program, providing transformative physical and emotional support for students. 
  • Delaware Futures – $1,000.00 from the Lynn W. Williams Natural Science Education Fund for Girls for statewide STEM instruction, workforce development, and preparation for careers in STEM fields for young women. Seminars and bootcamps include those on aviation, computer science, information technology, psychology, earth and environmental science, agriculture, and cyber security. 
  • Academia Alonso – $1,000.00 from the Lynn W. Williams Natural Science Education Fund for Girls for document cameras to enhance hands-on science education and inspire future female leaders in STEM.  
  • WOW Science Camp – $1,500.00 from the Lynn W. Williams Natural Science Education Fund for Girls for STEM education for underrepresented K-8 students, inspiring curiosity and confidence through hands-on learning. 
  • New Zion UMC – Operation West Laurel (OWL) Project – $465.30 from the Lee & Florence Kvalnes Charitable Fund for providing afterschool enrichment programs for at-risk youth in West Laurel, offering homework assistance, arts, and team-building activities. 
  • Do Care Doula Foundation – $465.30 from the Lee & Florence Kvalnes Charitable Fund for general operating. Their Growth Family Resource Center offers family wellness classes, including childbirth education, postpartum support, nutrition workshops, and fitness programs. They also provide transportation assistance for prenatal appointments and support groups.  
  • Delaware Diabetes Coalition (DDC) – $2,000.00 from the Ralph and Betty Murray Family Fund for the Diabetes Wellness Expo and Symposium, providing education, services, and support for managing diabetes statewide. The Diabetes Symposium and Lions Empowering School Nurses initiative train professionals and caregivers, improving diabetes management statewide.