Next Gen South Grant Program

The Next Generation – Southern Delaware grant program is administered by Next Gen South, a philanthropic initiative directed by young professionals residing and working in Kent and Sussex Counties. This group operates under the umbrella of the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF), leveraging its resources and support infrastructure while maintaining independent governance over fundraising and grantmaking activities. Since its establishment in 2012 and the issuance of its first grants in 2013, Next Gen South has contributed over $100,000 in funding to initiatives that confront pressing social issues impacting vulnerable Delawareans in the southern part of the state. This year’s funding cycle has a total allocation of $10,000 and is designed to support projects and organizations that directly address addiction treatment, family services, emergency housing, and homelessness prevention. These thematic areas reflect the current funding priorities of Next Gen South and represent an ongoing commitment to tackling systemic social challenges in Kent and Sussex Counties. Priority is given to proposals that demonstrate a proactive, preventative, and forward-thinking approach to community support. Applications for this competitive grant cycle opened on June 30, 2025, and will close on August 1, 2025. Organizations must submit their applications online through the designated portal. The application process does not list pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers, and the timeline for evaluation includes committee review, potential site visits, and final approvals by both the Next Gen South Board and the DCF Board of Directors. Recipients will be required to issue a public press release detailing their funded program and submit two progress reports: a mid-year written update and a final written report with an in-person presentation to the Board. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit organizations that are registered with a valid 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service. Only nonprofits operating within Delaware are eligible, and all projects must serve Delaware residents. The program is not open to individuals, businesses, government entities, or educational institutions unless otherwise structured as nonprofit organizations with qualifying IRS status. Furthermore, 2023 grant recipients are ineligible to apply during the current funding round, although past grantees from other years may apply again provided the program’s focus remains aligned with their proposed initiative. All applications must meet Next Gen South’s guidelines and are reviewed in depth by the Grants Committee. Due to the limited funding and high volume of applications, applicants are encouraged to seek complementary funding from additional sources. Programs must be free from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation. For further assistance or questions regarding the application process, no individual contact name, email, or phone number was provided in the grant description. Interested parties are directed to the online portal for submissions and further details. The program runs annually, and while specific recurrence dates for the following cycle have not been stated, the pattern suggests an annual reopening around the end of June.

Applicants are encouraged to seek multiple sources of funding due to high demand and limited capacity.