Vision Grants 2020-21 | Delaware Community Foundation (DCF)

Request Wiring Instructions

Agencies receiving DCF grants must serve the state of Delaware and its residents without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin or sexual orientation.

We do not support:

Individuals
Non-501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
Purchase of office equipment, furniture, or or standard office expenses related to the operation of an organization (e.g. web site services, computer software, desktop or laptop computers, office phone systems, etc.)
Sports clubs, leagues, or facilities
Public or tuition-based educational institutions
Fundraising entities for programs and organizations that are primarily supported through public funding (e.g., schools, parks, libraries)
Purchase of vehicles (i.e., mobile machines that transport people or cargo)
Endowment
Public or tuition-based educational institutions
Debt reduction

Religious organizations for sectarian purposes (However, projects that serve the entire community, regardless of religious affiliation, are eligible for support.)
Annual fundraising campaigns
Projects completed before June of the current year
Special events
Fundraising entities for programs and organizations that are primarily supported through public funding (e.g. schools, parks, libraries)

An engaged group of community volunteers comprises the DCF Grants Committee, which reviews proposals
submitted to our discretionary grant programs and makes recommendations to the DCF Board. Learn more
about them here.

A

What is it?

Study group

Request information

Point back to fund page

QCD/RMD explanation

Can DCF help me with my corporate clients charitable giving? Yes! Business and corporate giving programs and availability through the DCF

Legacy Society?

Calculators – annuities and endowments?

Planned giving tools – plannedgiving.com

Established and convert

Delaware Art Museum and Delaware College of Art and Design

$25,000 to build a joint certificate program to increase employment opportunities in arts therapy, museum services and related areas.

“DelArt and DCAD have long wanted to forge a deeper more meaningful partnership. The DCF Vision grant enabled us to jointly hire an incredible consultant to map out a transformative new partnership, which we plan to launch in 2022.

“The main objective of our partnership, called “Building New Narratives,” is to strengthen Wilmington’s creative economy while also providing more robust professional development and employment opportunities for young creatives. DelArt and DCAD’s successful partnership will make Wilmington a stronger, safer, more exciting city to live in. “

Molly Giordano, Executive Director, Delaware Art Museum

Want to learn more or support this work? Contact Molly Giordano, Executive Director, Delaware Art Museum, [email protected], www.delart.org

REACH Riverside

$50,000 for EMPOWER (formerly Poverty to Prosperity Initiative) to advance wealth retention and economic mobility for residents of Riverside by building quality affordable housing and providing case management, training and support.

“EMPOWER aims to help Riverside families achieve self-sufficiency and economic mobility through a barrier reduction model. Many aspects of life contribute to the ability to earn an income and become self-sufficient: physical and mental health; transportation; safe housing; education; credit; access to food and childcare; safety; network support; and family, intimate partner and parent-child relations. This program buttress families and individuals holistically in the transition to new housing.

“EMPOWER has enrolled 55 individuals who are in various stages of intake, stabilization, assessment, goal setting, case management, and receipt of services. The EMPOWER navigational coaches collect demographic and baseline data about each client and conducts a comprehensive assessment. It is common for the coach to first address an immediate crisis such as an eviction or utility shut off to stabilize the family before addressing employment. The program has also placed 7 people into jobs.”

Dave Ford, Chief Financial Strategist

Changing Lives:

“LC was the first EMPOWER client enrolled in June of 2021. Since enrolling LC, a single mother of five, has obtained two-part time jobs, paid off her past due rent and electric bill, has been able to increase her SNAP and Medicaid benefits, has enrolled her older children in an afterschool program at Kingswood Community Center and is working to obtain full-time employment. She is setting goals and looking toward the future. None of this would have been possible without the EMPOWER program.”

“NB is a thirty-year-old single mother of three who was unemployed at the time she enrolled in EMPOWER in July 2021. In September she received her Medical Assistant Certificate and completed an internship with Nemours. In mid-November, she obtained full time employment with Curative, Inc. Since July she was able to pay off her past due utility bill and has set a goal to improve her credit score, move into the new Riverside housing and eventually own a home.”

“JB is a single mother of one who enrolled in EMPOWER in August 2021. JB grew up in the foster care system and dropped out of high school to work. JB expressed her desire to increase her income potential by obtaining her GED. JB enrolled in a GED program and passed three of the four sections within the first two months. The math section proved to be a challenge for JB, however, with much support from EMPOWER and her GED instructors she was able to pass. She is now looking for a full-time job.”

Want to learn more or support this work? Contact Dave Ford, Chief Financial Strategist, REACH Riverside, [email protected], www.reachriverside.org

Jewish Family Services – Employment Support Network

$25,000 to provide unemployed individuals struggling in isolation with virtual emotional and mental support.

“A total of 413 individuals were impacted by this program including 113 individuals who received direct and lasting employment/wellness mentoring, which resulted in a 90% success rate in obtaining/maintaining employment up to 6 months, post-placement, and 300+ family members who benefited. Over 100 individuals were referred for food and housing support. 45 volunteers were recruited and trained to provide employment and wellness mentoring.

“113 individuals are now employed. The mental health counseling and social service navigation, combined with career coaching and networking, resulted in 90% of clients reporting increases in their mental wellness, feeling more emotionally secure, financial stable, connected to community, physically well, and spiritually supported.

Regina Kerr Alonzo, Interim CEO, JFS

Changing Lives:

“An older woman in Sussex found employment through our ESN network. She started as a part-time new employee and since has been promoted to full-time. She did not have much local family or awareness of the surrounding community. Not only was employment obtained but she has increased her awareness of local Delaware resources and decreased her isolation concerns as a new Delaware resident.

“A single mom with three children was overwhelmed with life stressors — she was actively seeking new housing and found herself unemployed. She explained that she initially wasn’t expecting much out of this program due to her experience with other similar programs, but she’s been able to really grow working with one of our wellness coaches. During a 4-month check, where we reflected on the pre-survey questions, we discussed new goals and re-engaged the client.

“A woman experiencing a family break up and job loss, needed assistance paying her electric bill. The landlord was not renewing her lease. We helped her find employment, got the family approved for DEHAP (rental assistance), and got the landlord to renew the lease. Resources were found to assist with the electric bill and JFS provided her gas cards so she could work. JFS was able to assist with a portion of her back rent. As suddenly as everything unraveled, they came back together as quickly.”

Want to learn more or support this work? Contact Regina Alonzo, CEO, [email protected], www.jfsdelaware.org

Love INC of Delmarva

$50,000 for equipment, staff and resources to centralize food distribution throughout Sussex County in response to increased demand due to COVID-19.

“Due to the funding, we can offer 24/7 access… to ensure that our neighbors have food, essential supplies and even furniture. With these needs met, we can focus on taking the neighbor to the next level of self-sufficiency of permanent housing and employment which is the ultimate mission.

“The long-term impact is space and resources to work together collaboratively with our partners. Already we have secured a partnership with Harry K Foundation because they needed storage for their food distribution. This expands opportunities for both of us to do more for our community. The 24/7 access is the other new resource with long term impact for our community. Already many of our first responders and schools have utilized this resource for the families that come in their path.”

Lauren Vanaman, Director of Development, LOVE INC

Changing Lives:

“We have a Love INC neighbor who has been under case management for 5 years. Through ups and downs he has continued to reach out to Love INC. He stayed in our Code Purple shelter; he attended AA in our training room; he received food, clothing and essential supplies; this year he gained employment and furnished an apartment down to household necessities from the Center. He is no longer homeless, he is employed and being supported and held accountable through Love INC and our partners.”

Want to learn more or support this work? Contact Lauren Vanaman, Director of Development, LOVE INC, [email protected], www.loveincofmiddelmarva.org

Tech Impact/Rodel/Social Contract

$50,000 to close the digital divide by 1) creating the state’s first online community help desk to help families access remote education, and 2) identifying and addressing other obstacles to remote learning in partnership with school districts and the state Department of Education.

This funding resulted in:

A community Help Desk that served 150 families in two school districts (Indian River, Capital) technical support (connectivity and systems access).
First of its kind DOE IT Systems Audit, offering gap analysis and census of all DOE points of integration, licenses, and time horizons for replacement.
High-Quality Digital Instructional Materials Development Plan.
A Blueprint of key investments that will enable Delaware equity in Delaware.

Some key outcomes include:

We respectively generated insight with key stakeholders to guide future decision making related to digital equity.
Social Contract’s Digital Divide Blueprint provides a framework to guide investments to enable digital equity.
Tech Impact’s Help Desk demonstrated a need to support families with online internet access and for more coordination from school districts.
Rodel engaged teachers to create quality online materials and their insights support DOEs vision for inter-operability and open standards.

After the school year ended, both school districts saw value in continued support of the Help Desk through the summer programming and solicited Dept. of Labor for additional funding to support the community help desk through additional CARES funding.

Want to learn more or support this work? Contact Patrick Callihan, Executive Director, Tech Impact, [email protected], www.techimpact.org

Housing Alliance Delaware

$25,000 to advance a comprehensive statewide solution to address homelessness among families.

“This project resulted in the publication of a report by two of the most prominent researchers on homelessness in the U.S. (Steve Metraux and Dennis Culhane). ‘An Overview of Family Homelessness in Delaware’ was published in September 2021. It includes information about family homelessness before and during COVID-19, and recommendations for how to use federal relief funds (CARES, ARPA) to address and reduce family homelessness.

“Housing Alliance DE will host a webinar in November 18, 2021 with the report authors to present the findings. Barbara Poppe, national expert and former Director of US Interagency Council on Homelessness will participate as a panelist and provide recommendations for how DE can best leverage federal and local resources to address the crisis. The long-term impact is a clearer awareness of the root of the issue, public support for solutions, and a framework for next steps to addressing the issue.

“’Delaware’s government agencies and services providers must coordinate efforts to maximize the potential of this influx of federal funding,’ says Stephen Metraux, the lead author of the report and an Associate Professor at the University of Delaware. ‘This is crucial for moving currently homeless families back into housing, and to prepare for the needs of families that are likely to become homeless as evictions resume.’

“To summarize […], 2020 was a difficult year for DSSC, as the number of families that it was handling at a given time quadrupled […] However, this increase did not come from more families seeking to use the services. Instead, the families that were receiving the vouchers stayed in the hotels […] for substantially longer periods of time. From a systems perspective, the data indicate that the increase in homeless families […] is the result of families taking much longer to exit the system.”

“One recommendation provided in the report is the critical need to develop new affordable housing resources. The report states that almost all of the service providers who were interviewed agreed that addressing and ending family homelessness is impossible without the sufficient availability of affordable permanent housing.”

Rachel Stucker, Executive Director, Housing Alliance Delaware

Want to learn more or support this work? Contact Rachel Stucker, Executive Director, Housing Alliance Delaware, [email protected], www.housingalliancede.org

Community Legal Aid Society

$50,000 to fund an analysis of the cost of providing Right to Counsel (RTC) in eviction cases for low-income tenants in Delaware, to demonstrate that RTC will produce a strong economic return for the state, advance racial equity and prevent destabilization of low-income communities.

“The Vision Grant was used to fund the Right to Counsel Project Director. The New Castle County Health Equity Grant was used to pay for the Right to Counsel Cost & Effectiveness Study and the related consulting and advisory expenses. Together this funding was instrumental for creating a collaborative team including all three legal aid agencies, ACLU Delaware, ACLU National, Housing Alliance Delaware, the HOMES Campaign, etc. who worked together to create a Right to Counsel plan and legislation.

“Eviction court proceedings are typically skewed to favor landlords, but securing tenants’ right to counsel can help level this imbalance. When tenants have legal representation, they are twice as likely to remain housed. Securing legal representation for those facing eviction is a critical step Delaware legislators can take to stop evictions and keep people in their homes during the pandemic and beyond. We are working hard to get the legislation passed during the coming legislative session.

“Eviction proceedings have historically been unfair and imbalanced. In Delaware, 86% of landlords have representation from attorneys or agents in court, but only 2% of tenants have representation. Tenants have few options for civil legal aid which has always been underfunded. Any defenses that are available to a tenant are virtually impossible to prove without the aid of a lawyer.

“About 33% of tenants feel so powerless to fight an eviction that they don’t even show up for court, and instead, a default judgment is entered against them. This means they lose their housing even though there may be funding available to help with rent or they may have a valid defense against eviction. This is why representation in eviction cases matters. When tenants are represented by counsel, they are twice as likely to remain housed.”

Lisa Lessner, Chief Development Officer, Combined Campaign for Justice

Changing Lives:

“When DeBorah went from earning her PhD to living in a homeless shelter, her entire life was disrupted. No tenant should have to face the courtroom alone. ‘I was working on advancing my career when I fell behind on my rent. I was thrown into eviction court on my own, and before I knew it, lost my home. With legal representation, I could have had a chance to keep my home.’”

Want to learn more or support this work? Contact Daniel Atkins, Executive Director, Community Legal Aid Society, [email protected], www.delawareccj.org

Christina Cultural Arts Center

$50,000 to launch an arts-focused after school program for low-income youth.

“The most outstanding outcome of the Our Voices (OV) Teen Program was the successful creation of an OV YouTube show. Throughout the 13-week program, students engaged in training that focused on animation, graphic arts, photography, spoken word, music, drama, dance, and tv production. These content areas positively empowered the students to address barriers that teens face through the arts. The four-episode show allowed students to use their voices while focusing on the numerous content areas.

“Teens left OV with proficiency in all art forms covered. The mental health workshops gave teens the tools to preserve their mental health. The entrepreneurship workshops showed teens they are capable of starting a business. The teens from the OV program left the program more resilient, confident, and equipped to handle stress. In turn, these teens will be the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs, and change agents based on the positive experience they had in this program.

Brandi Bey Neal, CCAC Artistic Director

Changing Lives:

“Kamariya Honore Norton came to OV as a timid young lady with an interest in visual arts. Her first few days in the program were difficult as adjusted to being in a social setting with her peers and exploring art forms that were outside of her comfort zone. After encouragement from her peers, she completed the program with a renewed mindset. Program Coordinators noticed a new sense of confidence as Kamariya was able to show the other program participants and instructors how talented she is.”

Want to learn more or support this work? Contact Brandi Bey Neal, CCAC Artistic Director, [email protected], www.ccacde.org

Delaware Division of Libraries

$50,000 to build out comprehensive telehealth services in Delaware Libraries.

“At our current capacity, the device loaning and kiosk initiative has the ability to impact 34,000 Delawareans. These are 34,000 Delawareans that are uninsured, underinsured, lack basic access to health and/or Internet, have language and geographic barriers to seeking appropriate help. This project, in short, has the ability to provide social service and wrap-around support to Delawareans that are not currently reached by existing programs.

“We have 500+ Chromebooks and WiFi hotspots being loaned out across the state any given time. Of these people, 50 percent do not currently have a computing device in their homes. This is huge!

“The telehealth kiosks are also being heavily used. Patrons complete surveys after a kiosk use, and 90% of patrons have rated 7 or higher, when asked ‘On a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to use the kiosk again?’”

Nick Martin, Emerging Tech & Telehealth Consultant, Delaware Division of Libraries

Changing Lives:

“I used the kiosk for unemployment help…Victoria [Milford Kiosk Navigator] called Delaware unemployment for me to see where the status of my claim was…I use the kiosk once a week to come in and plug in my weekly joblink. I need this money because [my current employer] is not giving me enough hours for me to afford my weekly rent…the kiosk but it is a nice service where you are promised it will be clean and it is confidential and private.” – 55-year-old Caucasian woman

“I have used the kiosk a couple of times to access my online immigration papers. Victoria helped me complete the rest of my immigration paperwork and documents. Just last month I became a legal U.S. citizen! I could not have done it without Victoria. Not only did she help me with all of my paperwork, she also listened.” – Hispanic man, age unknown

“The library recommended Victoria to help me with signing up for social security and Medicare benefits. When I asked her for help she mentioned the social service kiosk and how it’s a confidential and private place to sit and work without interrupting anyone else in the library. I have used the kiosk multiple times with Victoria assisting me. She is extremely sweet and helpful, I would highly recommend her to anyone and I look forward to her helping me in the future.” – 55-year-old Caucasian man

Want to learn more or support this work? Contact Nick Martin, Emerging Tech & Telehealth Consultant, Delaware Division of Libraries, [email protected]

Cornerstone West CDC

$25,000 to support the economic revitalization of Wilmington’s West Side by helping small business owners, property owners and developers renovate properties to help existing and new businesses.

“In the first round of funding, the WSCRF conditionally awarded funds to five projects at $10,000 each, including the renovation of three commercial vacancies, the opening of two new businesses, and support for one existing business. Three of the recipients are black-owned businesses, and all five are women-owned. With an additional round starting 10/4/21, this catalytic program aims to renovate and occupy commercial vacancies and assist new businesses with opening on the West Side.

Funding received from the Vision grant will support 10 existing and new businesses (up to $10,000 each) located near the 4th Street Corridor. The support from the Vision grant will support small business, property owners and developers to begin projects that will contribute to the economic revitalization of Wilmington’s West Side community.”

Gabrielle Lantieri, Cornerstone Economic Development Manager

Changing Lives:

“Thanks to West Side Grows, my business has prospered through this pandemic and allowed me to keep my business open. The signage (purchased with this grant) will bring more business to the area and the remodel of the business will help spruce up the Hilltop area.” – Joyce Woodlyn, Owner Joy’s Hair Boutique, helped by West Side Grows

“I was awarded $10,000. With this funding I will be able to sustain large orders, update the outdoor space, obtain professional marketing support as well as hire a part-time hourly worker. The West Side CRF has been an integral part of my business plans forward movement.” – Ellen Cappard, Owner of Books & Bagels, LLC.

Want to learn more or support this work? Contact Sarah Lester, President & CEO, Cornerstone West CDC at [email protected], www.westsidegrows.org

How to Apply

First, read the program details and eligibility requirements for the specific grant you are interested in.

All grant applications are received via our online grant portal.

When you are ready to apply:

Click any “Apply Now” button to go to the portal.
Log in or create a new account if you haven’t previously.
Select the program you wish to apply for.

An engaged group of community volunteers comprises the DCF Grants Committee, which reviews proposals
submitted to our discretionary grant programs and makes recommendations to the DCF Board. Learn more
about them here.

A

Vision Grants 2020-2021

Vision Grants 2020-2021

The Impact of the Vision Grants

About the 2020-2021 Vision Grantees

ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION

ARTS-FOCUSED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

BUILDING ECONOMIC MOBILITY

SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL/MENTAL WELLNESS

STREAMLINING FOOD DISTRIBUTION

CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

ENDING HOMELESSNESS

STABILIZING LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES

EMPOWERING YOUTH CREATIVITY

EXPANDING ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH

August 2021 Planning Grants

The Impact of the Vision Grants

We do not support:

How to Apply

Lorem ipsum dolor!

Lorem ipsum dolor!

Vision Grants 2020-2021

The Impact of the Vision Grants

About the 2020-2021 Vision Grantees

ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION

ARTS-FOCUSED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

BUILDING ECONOMIC MOBILITY

SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL/MENTAL WELLNESS

STREAMLINING FOOD DISTRIBUTION

CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

ENDING HOMELESSNESS

STABILIZING LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES

EMPOWERING YOUTH CREATIVITY

EXPANDING ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH

August 2021 Planning Grants

RESEARCHING VALUE OF FREE LEGAL SERVICES

ADVANCING ADULT LITERACY

ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

TRANSFORMING ACCESS TO CHILD CARE

UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY HOUSING NEEDS

HELPING REENTERING CITIZENS SUCCEED

HELPING NONPROFITS FUNDRAISE EFFECTIVELY

The Impact of the Vision Grants