In its ninth round of grants, the Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund awarded $108,760 to 13 nonprofit organizations providing services to communities throughout the state.
The fund also earmarked $50,000 to create a new initiative to increase equity in Delaware by strengthening smaller nonprofits (operating budgets $250K and under) led by and serving people of color, who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Specifics will be determined in the coming weeks.
Grantees are:
- Laurel Public Library — $3,900 for a UV sanitation machine for books and materials.
- Chinese American Community Center — $8,000 to support virtual programming and operations of the facility in Hockessin.
- Siegel JCC — $16,360 for equipment to facilitate safely reopening the facility in Wilmington.
- Delaware Zoological Society— $10,000 to support zoo operations and virtual programming.
- Wilmington & Western Railroad — $5,000 for equipment to facilitate safely reopening the historical railroad.
- Lewes Public Library — $10,000 for equipment to support virtual programming.
- Paws for People — $4,000 to support virtual pet therapy and reading programs statewide.
- Absolutely Flawless Women — $5,000 to provide meals for families in Indian River School District.
- Freeman Foundation — $10,000 to convert its free, weekly Young Audience Series to a virtual program.
- Delaware Center for Horticulture — $10,000 to mobilize home gardeners to grow and donate produce statewide.
- Clear Space Theatre Company — $10,000 to support operations.
- Merakey Allos — $6,500 for equipment to provide services for individuals with intellectual disabilities at Delaware group homes.
- Bellevue Community Center — $10,000 to provide fresh produce to underserved families in Wilmington.
In this ninth round of grants, 51 applicants requested $1.3 million from the COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund, which is housed at the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF).
The fund, which launched on March 18, has awarded $2.5 million to 107 Delaware nonprofits so far. The fund awarded grants each week March 27-May 22 and paused for a week before awarding Friday’s grants.
The fund will accept additional grant applications on June 15 at delcf.org/covid-grants.
The grants have been targeting a combination of immediate needs and broader community needs, including the arts, culture, the environment, workforce development, animal welfare and others.
The Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund will continue to award grants at least through the end of 2020.
Two new grants programs will be announced on Friday, June 12 at delcf.org/covid-grants.
The council is actively raising money to be able to respond to community needs, said DCF President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay.
The Longwood Foundation, which previously gave $1.5 million to the Strategic Response Fund, recently awarded a $500,000 grant, with the stipulation that the DCF must raise a matching $500,000 from the community by Aug. 31.
To make a gift that qualifies for the match, give at delcf.org/covid19-fund or contact Joan Hoge-North, jhoge-north@delcf.org.
