Delaware Humanities Council
Delaware Humanities Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1973 and headquartered in Claymont, Delaware. It serves as Delaware's independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The organization strengthens communities by connecting Delawareans through shared human experiences and provides educational and cultural opportunities to people and communities across all three Delaware counties.
Key facts about Delaware Humanities Council
- EIN
- 51-0212681
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $160,300
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- Average grant
- $14,573
- Median grant
- $18,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 64% first-time grantees (7 of 11, 2024)
- Total assets
- $1,260,575
- Primary geography
- Delaware (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Delaware Humanities Council funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Delaware Humanities Council's 11 itemized 2024 grants were Delaware (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wilmington, DE (6 grants), Dover, DE (2 grants) and Lewes, DE (2 grants). None of its 11 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (11 grants).
Is Delaware Humanities Council open to new grantees?
64%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 11 grantees (64%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $18K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Delaware Humanities Council
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.3M
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$160K
-19.6% YoY
Grant Count
11
-8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
-12.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Delaware Humanities strengthens our communities by connecting Delawareans through our shared human experiences.
The organization works to help Delawareans gain a deeper understanding of human identity, intellectual achievement, diverse cultures, and shared heritage. Primary program areas include:
- Grantmaking: Provides opportunity and action/innovation grants to nonprofits serving Delawareans to support humanities-based projects
- Speakers and Visiting Scholars: Offers low to no-cost lectures and discussions to organizations and schools throughout Delaware
- Prime Time Family Reading: Funds and administers family reading and discussion programs in partnership with public libraries and other eligible nonprofit organizations serving populations with low literacy levels
- Community Conversations: Provides low-cost facilitators to lead conversations on difficult topics with diverse perspectives
- Special Initiatives: Provides no to low-cost events and programming including exhibits, podcasts, lectures, workshops, and discussions
Grantmaking
Delaware Humanities Council distributes grants to support humanities-based projects and public events. Recent grant recipients and amounts include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Delaware Humanities Council serves all three Delaware counties: New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. The organization maintains an office location in Wilmington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 11 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total revenues: $939,663
- Total expenses: $1,024,272
- Total assets: $1,260,575
- Staff: 10 employees
2023 Financial Data:
- Total revenues: $1,041,316
- Total expenses: $1,061,255
- Total assets: $1,254,892
- Staff: 7 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,260,575 | $1,254,892 | $1,224,490 |
| Revenue | $939,663 | $1,041,316 | $911,668 |
| Expenses | $1,024,272 | $1,061,255 | $1,423,647 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $24,065 | $18,161 | $47,507 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
107 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include History Book Festival ($18,000), Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware ($18,000), Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation ($18,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| History Book Festival Lewes, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $18,000 |
| Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware Wilmington, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $18,000 |
| Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation Wilmington, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $18,000 |
| Plastic Free Delaware Wilmington, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $18,000 |
| Berkana Center for Media and Education Inc Wilmington, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $18,000 |
| Delaware Public Archives Dover, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $18,000 |
| Network Delaware Wilmington, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $16,200 |
| Neighborhood House Inc Wilmington, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $12,000 |
| Department of Human Resources Dover, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| Southern Delaware Alliance For Racial Justice Lewes, DE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $9,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michele Anstine | Executive Director | 40 | $94,676 |
| Adenike Davidson | Chair | 1 | — |
| Amy Ferrer | Vice - Chair | 1 | — |
| Sara Jatkco | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Jim Purcell | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Ruthi Adams Joseph | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Clay Athey | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Kimeu Boynton | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Harry Blake | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Stephanie Brown | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Gregory Campbell | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Shane Cannon | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Jianguo Chen | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dennis Coker | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Stan Divorski | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Devon Filicicchia | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Abigail Fischer | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Iva Hairston | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Donna Henderson | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Ilona Holland | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Mike Jackson | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Alana Dionne King | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Heidi Nasstrom Evans | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Tom Powers | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Jessica Redmond | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Sarah Trembanis | Board Member | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Mellon Foundation Support (April 2025):** The Mellon Foundation announced $15 million in emergency funding for humanities councils nationwide, with Delaware Humanities receiving $200,000 immediately and access to a $50,000 matching grant challenge.
Press Release: Delaware Humanities Announces Fall 2025 Action/Innovation**Challenge Grant Initiative:** Delaware Humanities launched a $50,000 Challenge Grant where donations received starting April 29, 2025 are matched by the Federation of State Humanities Councils with help from the Mellon Foundation.
Press Release: Delaware Humanities Announces Fall 2025 Action/Innovation**302 Circle Membership Program:** The organization established the 302 Circle, a community for those who love the humanities, with membership donations counting toward the challenge grant match.
**Federal Funding Challenges:** The organization has addressed impacts from federal funding cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities and state humanities councils.
Press Release: Delaware Humanities Announces Fall 2025 Action/Innovation**Diverse Histories Virtual Exhibit:** Delaware Humanities launched a virtual exhibit expanding Delaware's historical narrative beyond 1776.
Press Release: Delaware Humanities Announces Fall 2025 Action/Innovation**Upcoming Programming:** Scheduled events include "What Does It Mean to be a Delawarean?" (April 8), "The REAL Women: Veterans of Vietnam" (April 14), and "The History of Etiquette: Why We Do What We Do" (April 22).
Contact Information
Address: 3301 Green Street, Suite 203, Claymont, DE 19703
Phone: 302-657-0650
Website: dehumanities.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Delaware Humanities Council fund?
**Mission:** Delaware Humanities strengthens our communities by connecting Delawareans through our shared human experiences. The organization works to help Delawareans gain a deeper understanding of human identity, intellectual achievement, diverse cultures, and shared heritage. Primary program areas include: • **Grantmaking:** Provides opportunity and action/innovation grants to nonprofits serving Delawareans to support humanities-based projects • **Speakers and Visiting Scholars:** Offers low…
How do I apply for a grant from Delaware Humanities Council?
Delaware Humanities Council distributes grants to support humanities-based projects and public events. Recent grant recipients and amounts include: • History Book Festival at Lewes: $18,000 (2024) • Plastic Free Delaware: $18,000 (2024) • Local Journalism Initiative (amount not specified, 2024) The organization's largest portion of funding goes toward supporting other nonprofit organizations through grantmaking. Notable funded projects include the History Book Festival, Peace Week Delaware, and…
Where does Delaware Humanities Council make grants?
Delaware Humanities Council serves all three Delaware counties: New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. The organization maintains an office location in Wilmington.
What size grants does Delaware Humanities Council award?
In 2024, Delaware Humanities Council awarded 11 grants totaling $160K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Delaware Humanities Council's EIN?
Delaware Humanities Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0212681. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.