The Greater Lewes Foundation
The Greater Lewes Foundation is a public charity based in Lewes, Delaware. It encourages regional philanthropy and charitable leadership, manages charitable funds, and makes grants to support local nonprofits and charitable projects, including efforts to help young people from Lewes attend college.
The Greater Lewes Foundation at a glance
In short: The Greater Lewes Foundation gave $1.5M across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $89K), mostly in Delaware. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,510,552
- +68.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +1600.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $88,856
- -90.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $11,000
- Total assets
- $6,756,700
- +91.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Delaware (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Greater Lewes Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 110, Lewes, DE 19958
Phone: (302) 645-0670
Website: https://greaterlewesfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
15 open opportunities from The Greater Lewes Foundation
D. Russell Tatman Memorial Fund
The Greater Lewes Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Darlene K. Rust Scholarship Fund
The Greater Lewes Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Dr. David E. & Linda S. Robinson Scholarship Fund
The Greater Lewes Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Greater Lewes Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Various Small Grants ($1.3M). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($37,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 22 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as serving the Greater Lewes region. In 2024, 99% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Delaware and 1% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Greater Lewes Foundation gives
- Giving grew 260% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $419K (2021) to $1.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Various Small Grants Lewes, DE | To Assist Local Char | $1,302,798 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $37,000 |
| Milton Fire Department Milton, DE | Local Fire Support | $23,000 |
| Harry K Foundation Rehoboth Beach, DE | Feed Children in DE | $22,000 |
| Sussex Rotary Can-Do Playground Inc Lewes, DE | Special Needs Playgr | $22,000 |
| Lewes Fire Department Lewes, DE | Local Fire Support | $13,000 |
| Georgetown Fire Company Inc Georgetown, DE | Local Fire Support | $12,000 |
| Indian River Fire Department Rehoboth Beach, DE | Local Fire Support | $11,000 |
| Rehoboth Beach Fire Department Rehoboth Beach, DE | Local Fire Support | $11,000 |
| Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Manhattan Beach, CA | Pancreatic Research | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Greater Lewes Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,756,700 | $5,687,314 | $2,415,085 | $1,510,552 | 17 | $260,321 |
| 2023 | $3,531,322 | $2,392,809 | $1,588,899 | $895,406 | 1 | $173,336 |
| 2022 | $2,716,998 | $2,068,783 | $1,535,918 | $1,102,646 | 1 | $-129,316 |
| 2021 | $2,193,187 | $971,384 | $618,937 | $419,338 | 1 | $122,102 |
| 2020 | $1,813,639 | $730,881 | $525,633 | $427,633 | 2 | $90,139 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states its mission as protecting, improving, and enhancing quality of life within the Greater Lewes community. Its website describes fund interests that may include education, public safety, parks and recreation, historic preservation, arts and culture, community programs, and environmental stewardship. Its filing describes grants to local charitable organizations and city properties, such as parks and the library.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of recipients. Milton Fire Department describes its mission as volunteer firefighting and prevention; the Sussex Rotary Can-Do Playground says it works to create inclusive play areas for children and families with disabilities; and the Harry K Foundation says it helps churches and schools feed children and families in need. Lewes Fire Department describes its services as firefighting, protection, ambulance, and rescue for the local community. Other 2024 recipients included Clothing Our Kids, which says it provides school clothing to children, and Community Resource Center, which says it helps Sussex County residents facing crisis or trauma.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $1,510,552. The median grant was $11,000; awards ranged from $5,200 to $1,302,798. The largest listed award was $1,302,798 to “Various Small Grants” in Lewes, with the stated purpose “to assist local char[ities].” Other listed grants included $37,000 to Delaware Technical Community College for scholarships, $23,000 to Milton Fire Department for local fire support, $22,000 to the Harry K Foundation to feed children in Delaware, and $22,000 to Sussex Rotary Can-Do Playground for a special-needs playground.
The website describes the foundation as administering charitable funds and distributing grants according to fundholders’ wishes. It also lists three currently open scholarship funds for students in the Lewes area: the D. Russell Tatman Memorial Fund, the George H.P. Smith Scholarship Fund, and the Darlene K. Rust Scholarship Fund. The stated purposes are scholarships, financial aid to students in need, and an annual nursing scholarship, respectively. No application process, required materials, or deadline is provided in the available information. The filing says a committee monitors grant use and requests financial reports when available.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James Ford, Jeffrey Fried, Betsy Reamer, and Barbara Smith Rivers as directors; Dennis Forney as director; Rob Gibbs as legal counsel; Hugh Leahy as treasurer; Terri Malewski as secretary; Chris Rausch as vice chair; and Rodney Robinson as “FOCFP.” The foundation’s website identifies Michael Rawl as executive director.
The Greater Lewes Foundation is led by Joe Stewart, Chairman on every filing since 2023; none of the 17 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joe Stewart
Chairman
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betsy Reamer
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danielle Swallow
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Ford
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Fried
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Smith Rivers
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michele Schultz
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Khalil Saliba
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leeann Wilkinson
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Rogers
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Forney
Director Emeritus
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hugh Leahy
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Schroeder
Legislative
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rob Gibbs
Legal Counci
Vice Chairman → Legal Counci, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Rausch
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terri Malewski
Secretary
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rodney Robinson
Focfp
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Ted Becker (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Debra Killeen (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jean L. Geary (2020–2022) — Former Secretary
- Former: Karl Saliba (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Peter Issel (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Walter J. Stewart (2020–2022) — Chairman
- Former: Michael Rawl (2020–2021) — Exe Director
- Former: Stephanie Boright (2020–2021) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Carrie Lingo (2020) — Director
- Former: Nancy Targett (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Greater Lewes Foundation
How much does The Greater Lewes Foundation give each year?
The Greater Lewes Foundation gave $1.5M across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $895K across 1 grant.
What is The Greater Lewes Foundation's typical grant size?
The Greater Lewes Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $11,000, and its average grant was $88,856, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Greater Lewes Foundation give grants?
The Greater Lewes Foundation gives mostly in Delaware: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lewes, DE (6 grants), Rehoboth Beach, DE (4 grants) and Georgetown, DE (2 grants).
Does The Greater Lewes Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on The Greater Lewes Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Local Fire Support" (6 grants).
Who are The Greater Lewes Foundation's largest grantees?
The Greater Lewes Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Various Small Grants ($1,302,798), Milton Fire Department ($23,000) and Harry K Foundation ($22,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($37,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Greater Lewes Foundation?
The Greater Lewes Foundation reported $6.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.7M.
What does The Greater Lewes Foundation fund?
The organization states its mission as protecting, improving, and enhancing quality of life within the Greater Lewes community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Greater Lewes Foundation?
The Greater Lewes Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check greaterlewesfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Greater Lewes Foundation's EIN?
The Greater Lewes Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0400365. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Greater Lewes Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Greater Lewes Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-greater-lewes-foundation-morg_d350c600697647f7bd548d57c51442e4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_510400365_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Greater Lewes Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-greater-lewes-foundation-morg_d350c600697647f7bd548d57c51442e4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 The Greater Lewes Foundation'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.
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