Delaware Community Foundation Inc
Delaware Community Foundation Inc. (DCF) is a public charity based in Wilmington, Delaware. It partners with donors, makes grants and scholarships, and connects community members to support opportunity and advance equity in Delaware.
Delaware Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Delaware Community Foundation Inc gave $20.4M across 323 grants in 2025 (avg $63K), mostly in Delaware. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $20,400,411
- -51.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 323
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $63,159
- -51.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $21,500
- Total assets
- $392,486,239
- +13.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (69 of 316, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Delaware (75% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Delaware Community Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Review the specific program details and eligibility requirements, then apply through DCF’s online grant portal by logging in or creating an account and selecting the program.
- Review Cycle
- The Capital Project Grants cycle listed on DCF’s website closes October 16, 2026. The Georgetown-Millsboro Rotary Flags for Heroes opportunity is listed as closing October 30, 2026.
- Deadline
- The Capital Project Grants cycle listed on DCF’s website closes October 16, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899
Phone: (302) 571-8004
Website: https://delcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
35 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
Deadline not published
Arsht-Cannon Fund
Delaware Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies by grant (individual grants ranged from $5,000 - $40,000 in 2025)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Borkee Hagley Fund Grant
Delaware Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Delaware Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Find-M Friends ($1.4M). Together the top 10 received $6.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 8 grants to individuals ($100,187), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,818 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,301 grants of 1,818 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
DCF describes its work as serving Delaware and its residents, with Community Impact Grants available to nonprofits across all three Delaware counties. In filing year 2025, 75% of itemized grant dollars went to recipients in Delaware, 8% to Pennsylvania, 7% to Florida, 3% to Maryland, and 2% to New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 323 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Delaware Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 69 of 316 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $51K; repeat grants $68K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 64% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−16%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12.3M (2019) to $41.9M (2024). In 2025 it made 323 grants totaling $20.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Find-M Friends Crystal River, FL | Unrestricted support, barndominium capital project, purchase of real estate | $1,374,000 |
| State of Delaware Odessa, DE | Provide support to schools and different departments within the state of Delaware | $1,169,364 |
| Natural Lands Media, PA | Unrestricted support, capital cost for purchase of crebilly farms tract | $1,050,000 |
| Delaware Medical Education Foundation Ltd Newark, DE | Delaware Primary Care Investment Initiative | $1,000,000 |
| Tidalhealth Foundation Inc Salisbury, MD | Graduate medical education-davinci surgeon console, allen cancer center at tidal health nanticoke | $525,000 |
| University of Delaware Newark, DE | Unrestricted support, edward j & judy bennett lacrosse scholarship fund, dual enrollment research fund grant, school of education/spec.ed, capital campaign/blue and gold fund, paul jones collection, ig and julie burton study abroad scholarship, the college school, vita nova restaurant program, resident ensemble players, I heart ud day matching challenge, bioscience research fellowships, ud creamery, ud finish line grants, ud chorale summer travel | $371,832 |
| West End Neighborhood House Inc Wilmington, DE | Unrestricted support, education and greening programs, capital and maintenance projects, launcher entrepreneurship program | $370,070 |
| Nemours Foundation Wilmington, DE | Joint sdoh asthma solution, support for nemours hospital for children/ai dupont hoospital for children, nemours childrens health wilmington - de, cancer research and patient care, nemours childrens institute for clinical excellence (NICE) | $310,564 |
| AIDS Delaware Inc Wilmington, DE | Mental Health Counseling Program Expansion, Unrestricted Support | $302,482 |
| Neighborgood Partners Inc Dover, DE | Central Delaware Thrives, Project Safe Neighborhoods Dover | $302,396 |
Ready to take the next step with Delaware Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $392,486,239 | $58,240,621 | $28,657,661 | $20,400,411 | 323 | $25,320,672 |
| 2024 | $346,147,169 | $32,192,970 | $53,849,728 | $41,892,270 | 323 | $15,535,206 |
| 2023 | $347,152,846 | $37,470,416 | $36,088,293 | $27,189,336 | 369 | $14,901,527 |
| 2022 | $330,206,079 | $55,764,041 | $32,730,372 | $24,424,602 | 387 | $29,795,281 |
| 2021 | $375,445,649 | $92,895,086 | $31,930,496 | $23,103,500 | 416 | $10,581,486 |
| 2020 | $260,412,728 | $31,608,059 | $28,267,148 | $21,737,573 | 351 | $7,248,017 |
| 2019 | $260,631,720 | $29,595,543 | $19,297,217 | $12,276,417 | 298 | $10,133,597 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
DCF’s mission is to strengthen Delaware by maximizing community-based philanthropy. Its website describes three strategies: helping donors pursue charitable goals, making grants to address community needs and strengthen nonprofit organizations, and providing leadership by connecting people and drawing attention to community issues.
DCF’s 2025 grants supported a range of organizations and projects. For example, West End Neighborhood House describes its mission as helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency through outcomes-driven programming; AIDS Delaware says it works to eliminate the spread and stigma of HIV/AIDS and improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS; and NeighborGood Partners says it strengthens communities through housing, lending, and education. DCF also supports capital projects, specific-interest grants, and scholarships. The foundation’s website says its Community Impact Grants award more than $600,000 annually.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, DCF reported 323 itemized grants totaling $20,400,411. Grant amounts ranged from $5,050 to $1,374,000, with a median of $21,500. The foundation’s 2024 filing describes activity for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025: over $23 million in grants and program expenses to nonprofits and local students, with the majority from donor-advised funds. It reports $3,204,419 in direct grants through the Community Impact Grants program and $2,351,365 in direct grants through Healthy Communities Delaware programs.
Among the largest itemized grants in filing year 2025 were $1,374,000 to FIND-M Friends in Crystal River, Florida, for unrestricted support and a capital project including real estate purchase; $1,169,364 to the State of Delaware for support to schools and state departments; $1,050,000 to Natural Lands in Media, Pennsylvania, including capital costs for purchasing the Crebilly Farms tract; and $1,000,000 to Delaware Medical Education Foundation for the Delaware Primary Care Investment Initiative. Other large awards included $525,000 to TidalHealth Foundation and $371,832 to the University of Delaware.
DCF’s website directs applicants to review the requirements for the specific grant program and submit applications through its online grant portal. General eligibility requires agencies to serve Delaware and its residents without discrimination. The website says it cannot support individuals, non-501(c)(3) organizations, sports clubs, leagues or facilities, public or tuition-based educational institutions, or fundraising entities for programs primarily supported by public funding. Capital Project Grants support facility acquisition, design, construction, repair, renovation, rehabilitation, or other capital improvements; awards generally do not exceed $20,000, and recipients must wait two full grant cycles before applying again.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Drew N. Fennell as chairperson, Chanta Howard-Wilkinson as vice chairperson, and Peter S. Kennedy as treasurer. It also lists Ashley R. Altschuler, Kelly E. Firment, Lossie Freeman, Hon. Tamika Montgomery-Reeves, Louisa Phillips, Vita Pickrum, and Hon. Gregory M. Sleet as board members.
Delaware Community Foundation Inc is led by John Stuart Comstock-Gay, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 5 of 27 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John Stuart Comstock-Gay
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$260K (2019) → $322K (2025)
Drew N. Fennell
Chairperson
Board Member → Vice Chairperson, 2021
Vice Chairperson → Chairperson, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Darling
Vice President Finance & Administrator
Vice President Finance & Administration → Vice President Finance & Administrator, 2025
On filings since 2024
35 hrs/week
$142K (2024) → $151K (2025)
Sarah Hench
Executive Vice President Strategic Eng
Executive Vice President Strategic Engagement → Executive Vice President Strategic Eng, 2025
On filings since 2024
35 hrs/week
$159K (2024) → $159K (2025)
Evo Dipaolo
Vice President Philanthropic Services
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$121K (2025)
Roberta Tarpley Raffish
Vice President Committee & Mktg
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$117K (2025)
Cindy L. Szabo Esq.
Corp. Secretary
Board Member → Corp. Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Cruce Jr.
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly E. Firment
Board Member
Chairperson → Immediate Past Chairperson, 2021
Immediate Past Chairperson → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Lopez Waite
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle A. Taylor
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tamika Montgomery-Reeves
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vita Pickrum Ed D. Cfre
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashley R. Altschuler Esq.
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory M. Sleet Ret
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lossie Freeman
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chanta Howard-Wilkinson
Vice Chairperson
Board Member → Vice Chairperson, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Louisa Phillips
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter S. Kennedy
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frances Gauthier
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chrissi Rawak
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Evans
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mariah Calagione
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alona Berry
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Elson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Posnecker
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Molly Giordano
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: William C. Dugdale (2019–2024) — Immediate Past Chairperson
- Former: Kim Willson (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Pam Cornforth (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas D. Wren (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas L. Sager Esq. (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Nicholas Lambrow (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Claire Dematteis (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: David W. Singleton (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Donald W. Nicholson Jr. (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Andy Staton (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Donald W. Nicholson Jr Cfp Aams (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: James Mazarakis (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Kathleen Furey McDonough Esq. (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Lynn A. Kokjohn (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Joan L. Sharp (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Nancy Karibjanian (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas E. Hanson Jr. Esq. (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $322K, to John Stuart Comstock-Gay (President & CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Delaware Community Foundation Inc
How much does Delaware Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Delaware Community Foundation Inc gave $20.4M across 323 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $41.9M across 323 grants.
What is Delaware Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Delaware Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $21,500, and its average grant was $63,159, across 323 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Delaware Community Foundation Inc that year got $51K on average.
Where does Delaware Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Delaware Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Delaware: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (8%) and Florida (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wilmington, DE (113 grants), Newark, DE (20 grants), Dover, DE (18 grants) and Lewes, DE (10 grants).
Does Delaware Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 71% of Delaware Community Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (228 of 323) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Restricted Support for Needy Poor in Milford" (5 grants) and "Childrens Literacy Programs" (3 grants).
Who are Delaware Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Delaware Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Find-M Friends ($1,374,000), State of Delaware ($1,169,364) and Natural Lands ($1,050,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 8 grants to individuals ($100,187), which are not listed by name. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Delaware Community Foundation Inc?
Delaware Community Foundation Inc reported $392.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $58.2M.
What does Delaware Community Foundation Inc fund?
DCF’s mission is to strengthen Delaware by maximizing community-based philanthropy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Delaware Community Foundation Inc?
Review the specific program details and eligibility requirements, then apply through DCF’s online grant portal by logging in or creating an account and selecting the program. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 23, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 22, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 5, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Delaware Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/delaware-community-foundation-inc-morg_1ebfaae1022d416d8c503786dbfcb58c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_222804785_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Delaware Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/delaware-community-foundation-inc-morg_1ebfaae1022d416d8c503786dbfcb58c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-07. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Delaware Community Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Delaware Community Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?