MEDIA, PA (Oct. 30, 2018) -In its first major round of grantmaking, The Foundation for Delaware County, the largest public charity in Delaware County today announced $1,165,000 in awards through 46 grants to 42 area non-profits. Grants were awarded in the areas of children's health and nutrition, maternal health services, preventive health care, substance use including the opioid epidemic, preparing high school students for post-graduate success, hospice and home care, and strengthening the non-profit community.
In this first formal grant cycle since the foundation gave $330K in initial grants back in March, the foundation is sending the message that collaboration and partnerships are key to moving Delaware County forward. It's largest grant - $100,000 over two years - went to CASA Youth Advocates to launch Delaware County 's Voicefor Children, a collective impact campaign to improve the child welfare system in Delaware County in partnership with the county, other child-serving agencies and interested individuals and groups.
"We were extremely pleased with the quality, range and innovation of many of the proposals we received and honored to support so many dedicated non-profit partners serving our county.
While we wish we could have funded many more, the 46 proposals that received funding will address some of Delaware County's most critical health issues. And they'll do so with direct service and support, advocacy and education, and with innovation that could lead to even more impact in the future," said Frances Sheehan, foundation president.
A full list of grants awarded this fall can be found on our website, www.delcofoundation.org . Those interested in partnering with the foundation to move Delaware County forward can contact egrill@delcofoundation.org or 610-744-1014 to discuss setting up a donor advised fund or other giving vehicles, or visit the foundation's website and click on "For Donors."
Additional Information About Grants Awarded
Other partnership grants include a three-year commitment to Chester Community Coalition (CCC) and a one-year grant to Child Guidance Resource Centers (CGRC). Building on funding provided by Catholic Health Initiatives, CCC has partnered with CGRC to break the cycle of violence in Chester by providing intensive counseling to children who have a lost family member to gun violence.
In addition to providing grants to support preventive care, dental services, and behavioral health counseling for children and teens, the foundation acknowledged that it is often government funding and legal access that determine whether children and their families get the care they need. As a result, several grants emphasized advocacy and systems change with grants to Public Citizens for Children and Youth for their Leadfree Delaware County campaign, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children to advocate for increased state funding for home visiting services, and the Pennsylvania Health Law Project to increase access to healthcare for children with disabilities in Delaware County.
According to Sheehan, funding was provided to three programs that will address the opioid epidemic including Be Proud Foundation's innovative teen-developed app to give middle and high school students information about substance use and providing an emergency contact option if they see someone overdosing.
About The Foundation for Delaware County
A public charity founded in 2016, The Foundation for Delaware County is the largest philanthropy serving Delaware County. Operating as the County's community foundation, it is headquartered in Media with service sites in Chester, Upper Darby and Springfield. The foundation will make grants to improve the health and quality of life for the diverse residents in this thriving county, with emphases that include maternal and children's health, hospice and home care, and support for those living with cancer.
The Foundation for Delaware County also operates prestigious evidence-based programs such as Healthy Start, the WIC nutrition program, Nurse-Family Partnership, Drug Free Communities,
El Centro (a Hispanic resource center), and a health resource center for students in the Chester Upland School District, which serves one of the region's poorest communities. To learn more, visit the foundation on the web at https://delcofoundation .org and on Facebook, twitter and Instagram at @DelcoFdn.
For more information, please contact Katy Lichtenstein, Associate Director of Development and Communications at klichtenstein @delcofoundation.org or call 610.744.1017.