CapeGazette.com - New DCF fund supports African-American causes

Wed, Aug 5, 2009

New DCF fund supports African-American causes

» For information about the Delaware Community Foundation, call 302-571-8004 or visit delcf.org.

Nearly 50 generous black community leaders turned out July 23, for the Sussex County launch of the African-American Empowerment Fund of Delaware, a philanthropic initiative of the Delaware Community Foundation to establish a permanent source of funding for causes important to African-Americans throughout Delaware.

“Our mission is to establish a legacy of leadership in promoting philanthropy to fund causes important to the education, social and economic empowerment of African-American Delawareans,” noted Bernice M. Edwards, executive director of the First State Community Action Agency and African-American Empowerment Fund of Delaware Sussex County lead. “This is the opportunity to get in on the ground level; we are on the cusp of something great.”

“We kicked off the effort in New Castle County, but from the very start our goal was to be statewide.” said Sylvia S. Banks, interim chairwoman and manager of corporate contributions and memberships for DuPont. “Issues affecting African-Americans in Delaware do not stop at county lines.

“There may be nuances, but the concerns are essentially the same, and the desire to address those issues is a shared experience throughout the state. We are excited about the enthusiasm in Sussex County and also look forward to a Kent County kick-off in early fall.”

The initial goal of the African-American Empowerment Fund of Delaware is to obtain 100 founders to contribute $1,000 or more to begin to build a lasting endowment.

The effort mirrors the successful Fund For Women, a fund of the Delaware Community Foundation created to improve the lives of women and girls in Delaware. That fund, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, has more than 960 founders and an endowment exceeding $2.5 million. This year it awarded $145,000 in grants to 15 nonprofit organizations.

Since the African-American Empowerment Fund of Delaware’s official launch in June 2008, more than 70 people have pledged nearly $70,000 in gifts to the fund. The trustees of the Longwood Foundation have committed to a dollar-for-dollar matching grant up to $50,000 for every dollar raised through the end of December 2009.

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