[Delaware Community Foundation](https://delcf.org)

April 17, 2026

Award amounts vary; typical grants up to $50,000 for one year.

Supports education or financial assistance programs for at-risk children or young adults up to age 21 to foster strengths, self-esteem, and hope.

--- ## Description This grant opportunity from the Delaware Community Foundation supports nonprofit organizations providing education programming or financial assistance for at-risk children or young adults (up to age 21). The fund is designed to enable youth facing significant challenges to participate in programs or experiences that help them define their strengths, improve self-esteem, and build hope for the future. Projects must clearly connect to these outcomes for participants and demonstrate a meaningful impact on the target population. --- ## Due Dates - Application deadline: April 17, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Typical award size: Up to $50,000 per grant - Grant duration: Usually one year - Total available funding per cycle may vary --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or eligible government agencies (such as libraries, parks, or public school districts) serving Delaware residents. - Projects must serve at-risk children or young adults up to age 21. - Activities must provide education programming and/or financial assistance that enables participation in qualifying programs or experiences. - Organizations must not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation. - Ineligible applicants/activities include individuals, non-501(c)(3) organizations, office equipment or standard expenses, sports clubs or facilities, public or tuition-based educational institutions, fundraising entities primarily supported through public funding, vehicle purchases, endowments, debt reduction, sectarian religious purposes, annual fundraising campaigns, projects completed before June of the current year, and special events. --- ## Application Process 1. Review the program details, eligibility requirements, and grant guidelines: - [Grant Application PDF](https://delcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-21st-Century-Childrens-Fund_-Education-or-Financial-assistance-for-at-risk-children.pdf) - [Specific-Interest Grant Guidelines](https://delcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Guidelines-for-the-Specific-Interest-Grants-at-the-Delaware-Community-Foundation_vFY25.docx) - [FY26 Grant Rubric](https://delcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FY26-Specific-Interest-Grant-rubric.docx) 2. Prepare all required documents (project and organization budgets, audited financials, IRS determination letter, board list, etc.). 3. Submit your application via the [DCF online grant portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=delcf) by April 17, 2026. 4. Applications are reviewed by the DCF Grants Committee, with funding decisions announced after board approval. --- ## Additional Information - All applications must be submitted online; paper or email submissions are not accepted. - Funded projects must acknowledge DCF support per [Grantee Publicity Guidelines](https://delcf.org/grantee-publicity-guidelines/). - For more details and tips, review the linked guidelines and rubric. --- ## External Links - [Delaware Community Foundation Grants Page](https://delcf.org/grants/) - [Online Grant Portal (Apply Now)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=delcf) - [General Grant Eligibility](https://delcf.org/grants/#popmake-26478) - [Grantee Publicity Guidelines](https://delcf.org/grantee-publicity-guidelines/) - [Application PDF](https://delcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-21st-Century-Childrens-Fund_-Education-or-Financial-assistance-for-at-risk-children.pdf) - [Guidelines for Specific-Interest Grants](https://delcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Guidelines-for-the-Specific-Interest-Grants-at-the-Delaware-Community-Foundation_vFY25.docx) - [FY26 Specific-Interest Grant Rubric](https://delcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FY26-Specific-Interest-Grant-rubric.docx) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | Email | Phone | |--------------------------|--------------------------------------|------------------------------|--------------| | General inquiries | Delaware Community Foundation | info@delcf.org | 302.571.8004 | | Online portal support | Kelly Sheridan | ksheridan@delcf.org | | | Community Impact Officer | Yolanda Rushdan | yrushdan@delcf.org | 302.504.5239 | For more contacts, visit the [DCF contact page](https://delcf.org/contact/).

21st Century Children’s Fund: Education or Financial Assistance

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