Delaware grants for City or township governments

This program provides funding for events that raise awareness about the restoration and protection of natural resources in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland's watersheds, targeting nonprofits and community organizations.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and eligible government agencies in Delaware for health-related projects that improve access to care and address health disparities in underserved communities.

This grant provides funding to states, territories, and Tribes to monitor beach water quality and inform the public about safety during recreational activities in coastal waters.

This funding opportunity supports Delaware-based organizations in raising public awareness about the health risks and environmental impacts of PFAS chemicals, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofits for projects aimed at managing and controlling invasive and noxious plant species on public lands across the U.S.

This funding opportunity is designed for organizations to remove and manage invasive tree species like Tree of Heaven or Bradford Pear on public lands or open spaces.

The Delaware Community Foundation offers grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 through Highmark's BluePrints for the Community fund, prioritizing health-related projects and services that address healthcare access, economic stability, social and community context, and neighborhood and built environment in Delaware.

The DNREC Green Energy Program in Delaware offers grant funding for renewable energy projects. The program is available to customers of Delmarva Power, Delaware Electric Cooperative, and certain municipal electric customers. Grants are provided to offset the installed cost of photovoltaic, solar water heating, wind, and geothermal renewable energy technologies. Each utility company has its own program regulations, requirements, and application forms. To apply for a grant, applicants must use the Green Grant Delaware online application system and submit a complete application with all required attachments. Applicants are also required to sign over their Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) to the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility. It is important to note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Before submitting a grant application, applicants must complete an energy audit and select an approved renewable energy contractor. After installation and operation of the renewable energy system, applicants must submit grant completion documentation for final approval. Grant payments are typically processed within 10-12 weeks after approval. For more information about the Green Energy Program or specific details about each utility's grant program, applicants can contact the respective utility or email [email protected].

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that deliver high-quality early childhood education and family engagement services for low-income children and their families across multiple states.

The Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Trails (ORPT) Program, formerly known as the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund (DTF), is a matching grant program in Delaware. Its core mission is to assist with public park land acquisition and the development of outdoor recreation facilities. This aligns with a broader foundation mission to enhance public access to green spaces and improve community well-being through recreation. The program emphasizes collaboration, encouraging partnerships between governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and other non-traditional recreation providers, though only municipalities and counties are eligible to apply. The primary beneficiaries of the ORPT Program are county and municipal governments and park districts in Delaware, along with the communities they serve. The impact goals are to increase and improve public parkland, open spaces, and outdoor recreation facilities across the state. This includes ensuring modern, safe, and universally accessible facilities for all residents. A key focus is also on supporting areas identified as having the highest social vulnerability, aiming to reduce disparities in access to quality outdoor recreation. The program prioritizes a diverse range of projects, including fee simple acquisition of parkland and open space, purchase of development rights, replacement of outdated facilities, and new construction of various outdoor recreation amenities such as athletic fields, playgrounds, swimming pools, picnic areas, and park infrastructure. Additionally, it supports professional services for park master planning and universal accessibility upgrades. This comprehensive approach ensures that both the physical spaces and the planning for their future development are addressed. Expected outcomes include a significant expansion of available parkland and open space, modernization of existing facilities, and the creation of new recreational opportunities for communities. Measurable results could include the number of acres acquired, the number of new or renovated facilities, increased visitor numbers, and improved scores on community health and well-being indicators in funded areas, especially those with high social vulnerability. The program's strategic priority on assisting vulnerable census tracts demonstrates a theory of change focused on equitable access and community resilience. The ORPT Program offers matching grant assistance, with municipalities and counties eligible for up to 50% of project costs. To further support areas with greater need, park districts, municipalities that have not previously received ORPT funds, and projects in Census Tracts identified with a high CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI score range 0.75 – 1.00) can receive up to 75% assistance. This tiered funding structure reflects a strategic priority to channel resources where they can have the greatest impact, aligning with a theory of change that targeted investment can address social inequities and foster healthier communities.

This program provides funding to Delaware counties and municipalities for planning and engineering projects that improve water quality and manage stormwater effectively.

The 2024 Sustainable Communities Grant Program, a collaborative effort between Delmarva Power and the Delaware Nature Society (DelNature), aims to distribute $35,000 to support open space and resiliency projects within Delmarva Power's service area in Delaware and Maryland. This program continues Delmarva Power's commitment to sustainability, having already provided over $235,000 in grants for similar projects since 2020. The initiative aligns with both organizations' missions to foster environmental well-being and community strength. The program targets municipalities, recreational authorities, and nonprofits operating within the Delmarva Power service area. The grants, each up to $10,000, are designed to fund projects demonstrating significant impact across several key areas. The overarching impact goals are to strengthen natural systems and provide reliable community resources in emergencies, thereby addressing the realities of climate change and increasing extreme weather events. The grant program prioritizes projects focusing on Open Space Preservation, Conservation & Habitat Improvements, Environmental Conservation, and Community Resiliency. Community Resiliency is a broad focus, encompassing community engagement and education regarding resiliency, the purchase of energy storage solutions, and solar installations, including mobile solar units. This holistic approach ensures that projects can address various facets of environmental and community preparedness. Expected outcomes include enhanced natural systems, increased community preparedness for severe weather, and innovative solutions for emergency resource provision. The program encourages initiatives that not only mitigate the effects of climate change but also build resilience within communities. By funding projects that strengthen natural systems and offer reliable resources during emergencies, the program aims to achieve measurable improvements in local sustainability and safety.

This funding opportunity provides up to $50,000 for organizations to implement urban forestry projects in underserved communities, enhancing green spaces and environmental quality on public lands.

The Delaware Division of the Arts awards Arts Access Grants to support the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout Delaware. These grants aim to provide experiences of artistic merit, support arts programs in new venues, foster collaboration, reach underserved audiences, and promote the creation of new works and conservation of diverse cultural traditions. Eligible applicants include municipal, county, or state government units within Delaware, and Delaware-based nonprofit organizations exempt from federal income tax under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants may request up to 80% of eligible expenses, not exceeding $1,250. The grants focus on projects that provide increased access to the arts, especially in underserved communities, and demonstrate effective management and marketing.

The Preschool Development Grant is a three-year federal initiative designed to bolster Delaware's early childhood system, ensuring it is inclusive and integrated to support the development and learning of all children and their families from birth through age 5. With an $8 million award for its first year, following a $4.2 million PDG B-5 grant received in December 2018, the grant aims to provide high-quality early learning experiences and facilitate a smooth transition to kindergarten for children. Approximately $4.8 million of the grant is allocated to expand home-visiting services and state-funded preschool seats, while $3.2 million is dedicated to enhancing support for professionals, including technological advancements delayed by the pandemic. Key initiatives funded by the grant include expanding state-funded preschool programs, piloting the Family Connects home visiting model, updating family materials for resource and referral, enhancing workforce support for early childhood professionals, developing a mental health consultation program for home visitors, and updating the state’s strategic plans for a cohesive birth to five strategy.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is offering matching grants through its Surface Water Matching Planning Grant program. This initiative, developed by the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council (WIAC), aims to improve water quality in developed landscapes within Delaware's impaired watersheds. The program aligns with a mission to assist local governments in proactively addressing water quality challenges, particularly through planning and preliminary engineering efforts for surface water improvement projects. The grants target Delaware county and municipal governments, conservation districts, and estuary programs. While non-profit organizations, educational institutions, community organizations, and homeowner’s associations cannot apply directly, they are encouraged to partner with eligible applicants. The primary impact goal is to enhance water quality in impaired watersheds by supporting planning, preliminary engineering, and feasibility analysis of surface water improvement projects. These projects can include retrofitting stormwater systems, establishing green technology practices, restoring streams and wetlands, conducting small watershed studies, and developing master surface water and drainage plans. The program prioritizes proposals that demonstrate clear benefits to water quality within impaired watersheds. Specific focuses include planning and/or preliminary design for projects associated with watershed management plans, community stormwater management improvements in existing developments and municipalities, and restoration or retrofit projects designed to yield water quality benefits. This strategic approach ensures that funding is directed towards foundational planning and design efforts that are critical for long-term water quality improvement. Expected outcomes include the preparation of surface water projects for future funding through the Delaware Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan Fund (WPCRLF). Measurable results will be seen in the successful completion of planning, preliminary engineering, and feasibility analyses, leading to actionable project designs ready for loan applications. The funding, capped at $50,000 with a 1:1 cash match requirement, is designed to jumpstart projects, laying the groundwork for significant water quality improvements across Delaware. The grant duration is two years, emphasizing a focused and efficient planning period to achieve these preparatory outcomes.

This program provides funding to local organizations in EPA Region 3 for projects that address environmental and health challenges in historically underserved communities.

This funding opportunity supports Delaware schools, arts organizations, and artists in creating engaging arts education programs for pre-K–12 students, enhancing their learning experiences through the arts.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.