Volunteer-led Charitable Organizations can Turn to DCF for Help

Charitable organizations run completely by volunteers offer a chance for people to get involved in their community in meaningful ways. Yet, because they are volunteer-led and do not have the support of professional staff, there are times when running a charitable organization can become overbearing. Organizations experiencing this can turn to the DCF to administer funds and continue to distribute grants in a way that closely resembles the organization’s mission.

An example of this is the 21st Century Fund for Delaware’s Children. A lifelong volunteer and children’s advocate, Muriel E. Gilman started the charity with the mission of improving the quality of life for vulnerable children in Delaware.

Gilman wanted to lessen the effects of poverty on children by providing individualized financial support to youth to cover the costs of activities and items that would maximize their self-esteem and help them achieve their potential.

After decades of running the organization, the volunteer-led board of the charity was considering options for continuing its mission and sought help from the DCF. Ultimately, the board decided it was in the organization’s best interest to dissolve the charity and have the related assets held in a a fund at the DCF.

The 21st Century Children’s Fund is the resulting “field of interest” fund here. The DCF will continue issuing grants through the Specific Interest Grants annual cycle, assuring they remain closely related to the original charity’s mission.

If you are a member of an all-volunteer charitable organization and the responsibilities of running it are becoming overwhelming, your team can work with you to determine if establishing a fund at the DCF to make grants in support of activities that resemble your organization’s mission would be a meaningful alternative. For more information, reach out to Mike DiPaolo (302.335.6933), Vice President for Philanthropy and Southern Delaware.