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Festival of Cheer nonprofit grant cycle to open March 1

February 24, 2021

Festival of Cheer, the nonprofit organization which produces Winter WonderFest, will again deliver on its promise to create a brighter future for Sussex County through its 2021 community grant program.

A total of $50,000 in proceeds from Winter WonderFest 2020 will be available to Sussex County nonprofit organizations to support the purchase of capital equipment.

“This was clearly a year for us to lead, and to infuse Sussex County with the holiday spirit that had been so dearly lacking. As COVID-19 continued to impact families and businesses throughout the Cape Region, we set out to create a successful and safe WonderFest light show that would literally brighten everyone’s outlook, as well as support our struggling nonprofits. And based on the amazing support we received from our local community, we feel we accomplished that,” said John Snow, Festival of Cheer president.

Winter WonderFest 2020 organizers hoped to achieve two goals. They wanted to eliminate 100 percent of the festival’s operational debt incurred through establishing an event of this magnitude, and they wanted to allocate $50,000 for another community grant cycle. Thanks to many generous sponsors and the record-breaking attendance of more than 17,000 vehicles, both goals were achieved.

"We’re fortunate our mission was accomplished during this unprecedented season. Our organization is honored to create Delaware’s definitive cultural tradition for your families and support our local nonprofits. Specifically, those whose work benefits culture, education, the environment and health for people residing in or visiting Sussex County," said Peter Briccotto, event director for Winter WonderFest.

Since 2016, 100 percent of Winter WonderFest proceeds, totaling $557,000, have been directly invested in Sussex County either to enhance the award-winning festival’s cultural impact or philanthropically to support Sussex County nonprofits via grant awards.

By the completion of this grant cycle, $200,000 of grants will have been contributed to local nonprofits. The remaining proceeds were utilized to purchase an ice rink for the festival and to relocate the event to Hudson Fields.

Festival of Cheer’s board of directors will award 10 to 15 grants at varying levels of support from $1,000 up to $5,000.

Grant applications will be available beginning Monday, March 1, and must be submitted by Wednesday, March 31. Grant recipients will be notified in June.

Organizations must operate in Sussex County, and grants will only be awarded to support the purchase of capital equipment to support the organization’s operations. Grants will not be awarded to support capital campaigns.

For complete details on the Festival of Cheer 2021 Community Grant Program, go to festivalofcheer.org.

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