The Foundation for Delaware County recently announced more than $1.2M in new Impact Grant awards to 57 area nonprofits.

New funding is in addition to nine second-year Impact Grant awards totaling more than $712K and three third-year Impact Grants totaling more than $203K for a total of more than $2.1 million invested in nonprofits serving Delaware County.

Grants were awarded in the following areas:

• Children’s Health and Well-Being: $770,590
• Community Mental Health Services: $70,970
• Economic and Community Development: $112,050
• Food Security: $172,860
• Hospice and Home Care: $102,800
• Services for Cancer Survivors: $26,600
• Second-Year Payments to 2023 Impact Grantees: $712,000
• Third-Year Payments to 2022 Impact Grantees $203,848

A complete list of grants awarded can be found on The Foundation for Delaware County website.

“The Foundation is thrilled to announce more than $1.2M in new Impact Grants to 57 nonprofit organizations in Delaware County,” said Frances Sheehan, Foundation President. “The grants will address some of Delaware County’s most critical issues, including mental health challenges, education, food security, and support for seniors.”

Sheehan went on to stress that “The nonprofit community is critical to a thriving economy and residents leading healthy lives. The Foundation is deeply committed to being a resource for local nonprofits now and for the long-term, helping them connect with the funding necessary to accomplish their missions.

“Together with generous support provided by our charitable fund holders and the more than 9,000 donors who joined us on Delco Gives Day to give $1.7M, we are ensuring there is a strong financial investment in the organizations and initiatives in our community making lasting change.”

To learn more about how you can support nonprofits in the community through your estate, or to start your own donor-advised or other charitable fund, contact Monika Collins at mcollins@delcofoundation.org.

More About The Foundation for Delaware County Impact Grant Partners

Children’s Health and Well-Being

Children’s health and well-being is a funding priority for the Foundation. Multiple grants were awarded to advance the Foundation’s goal of improving the health and quality of life of the children in the county. Grants include more than $56K in funding to CASA Youth Advocates to support services that connect volunteers to youth in the child welfare system in Delaware County.

Additional grants include a $16K grant awarded to Teachers’ Teammates to ensure schools in Delaware County have adequate supplies for students in K-12 grade.

The Foundation also gave a $16K grant to the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation to support children’s educational experience in the Upper Darby School District with music and arts programming.

“We are deeply grateful to The Foundation of Delaware County for their generous grant supporting the operating expenses of Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation,” said Harry Dietzler, executive director. “This vital funding enables us to continue our mission of transforming lives through inclusive arts and education experiences that empower young people and unite our community. This support ensures that we can maintain our excellent music and theatre programs, reach wider audiences, and foster artistic talent.”

Community and Economic Development

The Foundation supports organizations enhancing community and economic development. A $12K grant was given to Regional Housing Legal Services to create housing opportunities for children and families in Delaware County. A $21K grant was awarded to the Riverfront Alliance of Delaware County to support the development of the Chester Waterfront.

Community Mental Health

The Foundation prioritizes addressing and providing support for mental health services. An $18K grant was given to Chester Community Coalition to support cultivating community, promoting healing and peace for those impacted by violence and trauma in Delaware County.

In addition, the Foundation gave Health Educated an $8.3K grant to address health inequities, eliminate health disparities, promote health literacy, and support community mental health. 

“The Impact Grant will allow us to enhance our outreach in marginalized communities by offering fun activities and distributing educational handouts on mental health,” said Dr. Kristin Ball Motley, Founder of Health Educated. This grant not only allows us to raise awareness about mental health issues for kids and adults but also ensures that people know where to turn for help. We are committed to breaking down barriers to mental health services and fostering a community where seeking help is normalized.”

Food Security

Six organizations received Impact Grants to help address food insecurity. Senior Community Services received a $50,000 grant to provide home-delivered meals, helping to support food security for older adults in Delaware County. (Funding with thanks to the Delaware County Home Care Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation.)

In addition, an $83K grant was awarded to the Share Food Program to support their centralized food bank in Delaware County and promote equitable food access across Delaware County food pantries. Share provides food for distribution to 17 pantries around Delaware County.

Hospice and Home Healthcare

The Foundation is grateful to the Delaware County Home Care Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation for funding to support home care and hospice programs at Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice, Senior Community Services, Surrey Services, and Wayne Senior Center.

About The Foundation for Delaware County

The Foundation for Delaware County is the largest grantmaking philanthropy in Delaware County. One of 900 community foundations across the U.S., the Foundation offers support and resources for nonprofits of every size, helps generous people give with more impact, brings together funders, nonprofits, and elected officials to address critical community problems, and responds to major challenges and crises as they arise.

In addition to grant funding, the Foundation operates the Center for Nonprofit Excellence to strengthen Delaware County’s nonprofit community through training workshops and peer learning opportunities. The Foundation encourages philanthropy by connecting donors to worthy causes through efficient charitable giving vehicles like donor-advised and scholarship funds.

On May 8-9, 2024, the Foundation launched Delaware County’s first 24-hour online giving day, Delco Gives Day. Delco Gives Day raised more than $1.7M from more than 9,600 donors for 281 nonprofits.

In addition, the Foundation operates the prestigious public health programs Healthy Start, the WIC nutrition program, and Nurse-Family Partnership, as well as the Housing Opportunities Program for Equity (HOPE), El Centro (a Hispanic resource center) and a health resource center for students in the Chester Upland School District.

Find out more about the Foundation, and and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @DelcoFdn.