Delaware Community Foundation Inc
The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) is a nonprofit community foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware, established in 1986. The organization partners with donors to build opportunity and advance equity throughout Delaware by connecting generous individuals and businesses with causes they care about, making strategic grants to nonprofits, and convening community leaders to address pressing issues.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$346.1M
-0.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$41.9M
+54.1% YoY
Grant Count
323
-12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$130K
+76.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To strengthen Delaware by maximizing community-based philanthropy.
Vision: A Delaware where generosity expands opportunities for all.
Core Values:
- Serve with Joy
- Lead with Integrity
- Pursue Excellence
- Engage Inclusively
The DCF operates through three key strategies:
Helping Donors — Working one-on-one with individuals and businesses to explore charitable goals and maximize philanthropic impact through grants and scholarships.
Making Grants — Awarding grants from the Delaware Forever Fund selected by a statewide committee of community leaders, targeting the state's most pressing needs and strengthening nonprofit infrastructure.
Providing Leadership — Serving as a resource, connector, and facilitator to understand community evolution, call attention to important issues, and bring people together to build opportunity.
Grantmaking
The DCF awards millions of dollars annually through various grant programs, including:
How to Apply
Nonprofits can apply for grant opportunities through the DCF website. The organization reviews applications on a rolling basis for certain programs, with decisions announced at the beginning of each month. General grant eligibility requirements apply, with individual eligibility requirements for each specific grant program.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Delaware statewide, with primary focus on Delaware. The foundation also makes grants in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of June 30, 2024:
- Total Assets: $346,147,169
- Total Revenues: $32,192,970
- Total Expenses: $53,849,728
- Total Liabilities: $45,800,000
Staff: 40 employees
Annual Giving (2025): $32.5 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $346,147,169 | $347,152,846 | $330,206,079 |
| Revenue | $32,192,970 | $37,470,416 | $55,764,041 |
| Expenses | $53,849,728 | $36,088,293 | $32,730,372 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $15,535,206 | $14,901,527 | $29,795,281 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
36 open opportunities from Delaware Community Foundation Inc
21st Century Children's Fund: Education or Financial Assistance Grant
DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $2,500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Arsht-Cannon Fund
DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies by grant (individual grants ranged from $5,000 - $40,000 in 2025)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Borkee Hagley Fund Grant
DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Eleutherian Mills-hagley Foundation Inc ($8,015), Christ Church Christiana Hundred ($8,000), Milford Veterans of Foreign Wars Association ($7,873).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DELAWARE COLLEGE SCHOLARS INC WILMINGTON, DE | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT | $5,300 |
| THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT; STUDENT FIELD TRIP FUND | $5,500 |
| WILLIAMS COLLEGE WILLIAMSTOWN, MA | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT, SCHOLARSHIPS | $5,500 |
| SHEPHERDS OFFICE INC GEORGETOWN, DE | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT | $5,500 |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY COUNCIL INC NEWARK, DE | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME GIRLS; UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT | $5,500 |
| INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL INC NEWARK, DE | SUPPORT FOR THE PURCHASE OF MUSIC STAND CART, PODIUM AND GUITAR AND DRUM SET; SCHOLARSHIPS | $5,500 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF DELAWARE INC WILMINGTON, DE | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT | $5,659 |
| CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY DELAWARE INC WILMINGTON, DE | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT | $5,725 |
| LUZERNE COUNTY HEAD START INC WILKESBARRE, PA | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT, SCHOLARSHIPS | $6,000 |
| KENNETT LIBRARY KENNETT SQUARE, PA | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT; SUPPORT FOR BUILDING FUND | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASHLEY R ALTSCHULER ESQ | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| WILLIAM C DUGDALE | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRPERSON | 2 | — |
| DREW N FENNELL | CHAIRPERSON | 2 | — |
| KELLY E FIRMENT | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| LOSSIE FREEMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CHANTA HOWARD-WILKINSON | VICE CHAIRPERSON | 2 | — |
| PETER S KENNEDY | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| HON TAMIKA MONTGOMERY-REEVES | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| LOUISA PHILLIPS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| VITA PICKRUM ED D CFRE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| HON GREGORY M SLEET RET | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CINDY L SZABO ESQ | CORP. SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| MICHELLE A TAYLOR | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MARIA LOPEZ WAITE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| KIM WILLSON | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| PAM CORNFORTH | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DAN CRUCE JR | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| FRANCES GAUTHIER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MARIA CALAGIONE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| LYNN EVANS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CHRISSI RAWAK | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| FRANCES GAUTHIER ESQ | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JOHN STUART COMSTOCK-GAY | PRESIDENT & CEO | 35 | $311,791 |
| SARAH HENCH | EXECUTIVE VP STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT | 35 | $158,750 |
| JOYCE DARLING | VP FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION | 35 | $142,144 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The DCF celebrated 40 years of generosity and community transformation
The\_DCF\_Celebrates\_40 Years\_of\_Generosity &\_Community\_Transformation\_\Highmark BluePrints for the Community invested over $600,000 in community health initiatives
Delaware Community Foundation Issues $297,958.36 in Capital Grants to 23The foundation launched "Meet the Moment" initiative in partnership with Healthy Communities Delaware to address challenges in the nonprofit landscape
Delaware Community Foundation Issues $297,958.36 in Capital Grants to 23The DCF distributed record-breaking scholarship amounts in 2025
Capital grants program issued nearly $298,000 to 23 organizations
Delaware Community Foundation Issues $297,958.36 in Capital Grants to 23Offices & Contact Information
Wilmington Office
- Address: 100 W. 10th Street, Suite 115, Wilmington, DE 19801
- Mailing: PO Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899
- Phone: 302-571-8004
- Email: grants@delcf.org
Lewes Office
- Address: 302 Savannah Rd, Lewes, DE 19958
- Mailing: PO Box 492, Lewes, DE 19958
- Phone: 302-846-7974
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (hybrid schedule). Physical offices open Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, offices close at 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Delaware Community Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission:** To strengthen Delaware by maximizing community-based philanthropy. **Vision:** A Delaware where generosity expands opportunities for all. **Core Values:** • Serve with Joy • Lead with Integrity • Pursue Excellence • Engage Inclusively The DCF operates through three key strategies: 1. **Helping Donors** — Working one-on-one with individuals and businesses to explore charitable goals and maximize philanthropic impact through grants and scholarships. 2. **Making Grants** — Awarding gr…
How do I apply for a grant from Delaware Community Foundation Inc?
The DCF awards millions of dollars annually through various grant programs, including: • **Community Impact Grants** — Funded by donors committed to building opportunity and advancing equity in Delaware • **Capital Project Grants** — Up to $20,000 for facility acquisition, design, and construction • **Highmark BluePrints for the Community** — Supporting health-related projects with preference for increasing access to healthcare for uninsured/underserved populations, reducing health disparities …
Where does Delaware Community Foundation Inc make grants?
Delaware statewide, with primary focus on Delaware. The foundation also makes grants in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
What size grants does Delaware Community Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Delaware Community Foundation Inc awarded 323 grants totaling $41.9M — an average of about $130K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Delaware Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Delaware Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2804785. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Delaware Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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