Grants awarded to nonprofits serving BIPOC communities

The Delaware Community Foundation, in partnership with the African American Empowerment Fund of Delaware, has awarded $287,200 to 17 nonprofit organizations led by and serving Black, Indigenous and people of color, through the BIPOC Leaders and Communities Grants Program.

“These grants are part of the DCF’s larger work to advance equity throughout the state and expand the communities served by philanthropy,” said Stuart Comstock-Gay, DCF president and CEO. “Through these investments, we are supporting community-driven change, and building capacity among nonprofit leaders and organizations throughout Delaware so they can continue to grow and thrive.”

A grant of $10,000 went to 4th Dimension Leaders to train educators to lead equity efforts at the school and community levels. 

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation received $20,000 to recruit and train Delawareans to be advocates on issues such as policing, sentencing, reentry and probation.

The Center for Structural Equity was awarded $20,000 to support employment, empowerment, and community engagement and advocacy for youth impacted by and/or experiencing poverty and violence. 

The Choir School of Delaware received $20,000 to conduct strategic planning to pilot a workforce development program that builds a pipeline of people of color in music professions. 

The Delaware Adolescent Program Inc. received $20,000 to conduct strategic planning and cultural competency training to ensure the organization continues to best serve and strengthen young families of color in Delaware. 

Delaware College Scholars was awarded $19,000 to advance social emotional learning for DCS scholars and their families. 

The Developing Artist Collaboration received $20,000 to create a historical mural in West Rehoboth honoring its rich cultural history and uplifting the voices of the original community members. 

EDGE for Tomorrow was awarded $20,000 to conduct strategic planning, advance board diversification and support student mentoring. 

Harambee Delaware Fund received $20,000 to develop an online resource bank for nonprofit leaders of color in Delaware. 

Love-In-Deed Community Development Corporation was awarded $16,200 to support the RISE Independent Living program for youth aging out of foster care. 

Mom’s House of Dover was awarded $2,000 to upgrade its website to better serve and connect with its community.

Network Connect received $20,000 to conduct strategic planning and professional development, and launch CRM software. 

One Village Alliance was awarded $20,000 to conduct strategic planning and ensure it can continue to meet the evolving needs and challenges of the community it serves. 

Pathways to Success received $10,000 to provide organizational leadership with skill-building, training and mentorship to improve delivery of services to youth, primarily youth of color. 

Philadelphia Arms Townhomes Inc. was awarded $10,000 to conduct strategic and revenue planning, as well as staff and board development, to ensure long-term viability in meeting community needs. 

Reel Families for Change received $20,000 to develop BIPOC entrepreneurs in the creative economy with tools and skills to benefit from market growth, economic recovery and contractual opportunities. 

True Access Capital was awarded $20,000 to transition to a digital/cloud-based loan system in order to serve more BIPOC-owned small businesses in gaining access to capital.

The Delaware Community Foundation is committed to infusing equity into its work. The foundation is engaging in new practices to amplify a broad range of voices and strengthen leaders who reflect the full diversity of Delaware demographics.

The DCF’s BIPOC Leaders and Communities Grants are underwritten by a group of charitable funds created by generous people who believe in the DCF’s work to build opportunity and advance equity in the First State. For a full list of those funds, go to delcf.org/impact-grant-funders. This year’s Leaders and Communities Grants also were supported by gifts from Corteva and the First State Fund.