Healthy Communities Delaware Grant Program

Healthy Communities Delaware (HCD) is inviting proposals for community-driven projects that advance systemic change and improve the conditions that people and communities need to thrive. These "Vital Conditions" include humane housing, lifelong learning, a thriving natural environment, meaningful work and wealth, basic needs for health and safety, reliable transportation, and a sense of belonging and civic engagement. HCD’s mission is to partner with communities, investors, and systems to cultivate thriving places for thriving people, and this Request for Proposals (RFP) reflects that mission by investing in local efforts that tackle the root causes of health inequity and systemic barriers to well-being. This RFP seeks to support organizations working at the community level to implement policy, systems, and environmental changes. Projects funded through this opportunity should demonstrate potential to create lasting transformation, be community-informed, and aligned with HCD’s philosophy of collaboration and equity. Successful applicants will be those who propose interventions that build community capacity, establish collaborative structures like steering committees, and promote systemic shifts that enhance quality of life and promote equity across populations disproportionately affected by structural disadvantages. Funding will be provided for a 12-month period, beginning July 2026 and ending June 2027. Award amounts will range between $25,000 and $150,000 per project. HCD welcomes letters of interest (LOI) by March 1, 2026. Applicants invited to proceed will be required to submit a full application by April 30, 2026. The application portal opened on January 12, 2026. There is no requirement for cost-sharing or matching funds, and this grant does not recur on a fixed cycle beyond the current period. Applications must be submitted online via the HCD platform. Eligible applicants include community-based organizations, nonprofits, and other mission-aligned entities serving Delaware communities. Proposed initiatives must be grounded in community engagement and reflect the priorities of those most affected by inequities. Projects must be focused within the state of Delaware and address one or more of the identified Vital Conditions. HCD provides comprehensive guidance through the RFP packet, including templates for budget and action plans. Webinars and other learning resources are also available to support applicants. Evaluation criteria emphasize community leadership, alignment with HCD principles, feasibility, potential for lasting impact, and clarity of proposed outcomes. All proposals will be reviewed by a panel of evaluators with expertise in community development and systems change. Applicants are encouraged to propose strategies that are adaptive, sustainable, and measurable. Final funding decisions will be communicated following the close of the review period in late spring 2026. For further questions, applicants may contact Kate Dupont Phillips at [email protected].

Emphasize community-rooted strategies and strong alignment with HCD’s Vital Conditions framework; demonstrate systems-level thinking and sustainability.