Delaware Community Foundation: Community Needs Grants

Deadline: 01-Apr-21

The Delaware Community Foundation is accepting applications for its Community Needs Grants Program.

These grants will be flexible and will allow organizations to use funds as needed to continue to operate in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Their goal is to fund a mix of proposals in communities across Delaware and to support organizations working in a range of fields addressing an array of challenges.

Funding Information

Each successful applicant is eligible for a grant of up to $10,000 per organization in this round.

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations must be actively providing services.
In 2020, the organization must have had operating expenses of at least $25,000, but not more than $750,000.
Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity in good standing.
100% of the requested amount must benefit Delaware communities.
Organizations are eligible to apply even if they received funding previously from the Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund (March – September 2020).
Grants will be awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations on a competitive basis. Applicants must provide a succinct and compelling response to the following:
Demonstrate a decrease in revenue (due to decreased program revenue or non-capital fundraising revenue) in the fiscal year 2020, based on a comparison with the prior fiscal year, or a gap in revenue that does not meet the increased demand for services. Include a description of how COVID-19 contributed to this decrease or gap.
- To support the request, applicants will be asked to submit a Statement of Revenue page of its 990 Part VIII for each year.
- For organizations that do not file 990s or do not have a completed 990 for each year, accounting records showing the Board-approved budget and actual will be accepted.
- For organizations that have only completed one fiscal year, accounting records showing the Board-approved budget and actual will be accepted.
In the fiscal year 2020, what steps have you taken to pivot your operations, or respond to revenue gaps?
How is your organization currently addressing the economic, social, and emotional challenges of communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19? Please be specific about the communities you serve, the actions you have taken, and the challenges they face.
What is the measurable impact your organization is providing to the community, which will be supported by this grant?
In awarding grants, priority consideration will be given to:
- Smaller nonprofits.
- Organizations with a Board of Directors that represents the diversity and demographics of the clients and community served.
The following types of nonprofit organizations are not eligible for this program:
- Sports Clubs, leagues, or facilities.
- Public or tuition-based educational institutions.
- Fundraising entities for programs and organizations that are primarily supported through government funding, e.g., schools, parks, libraries.
- Endowments.
- Religious organizations for their sectarian purposes (However, projects that serve the entire community, regardless of religious affiliation, are eligible for support.)