Delaware non profits getting $25 million in COVID-19 relief funding
DELAWARE – Non profits in Delaware can breathe a sigh of relief tonight after Governor John Carney announced that the state will be providing $25 million in funding. COO of the United Way of Delaware Dan Cruce says during these difficult times any financial help they can get makes a world of difference. “$25 is terrific. $25 million is a game changer, particularly for us in the state of Delaware,” said Cruce.
President and CEO of the Delaware Community Foundation Stuart Comstock-Gay says COVID-19 prevented non profits from raising the funds they need. “They can’t do fundraisers. They can’t do events. So money’s not coming in the door and the demand for social service organizations is increasing,” said Comstock-Gay.
The funds will be split up between the United Way of Delaware and the Delaware Community Foundation to distribute to smaller non profits through grants. Meanwhile, the Delaware Alliance for Non Profit Advancement will help those organizations apply through a website and webinars. “The non profits have a one stop place they can go to quickly get answers to their questions, but also links to the various applications,” said President and CEO of DANA Sheila Bravo.
Philanthropy Delaware will help with collecting application data from the organizations applying. They say that the impact of this funding will strengthen partnership between non profits – and provide more resources to successfully come out of COVID-19. “Once you don’t have them there, then you’ll see the work that they were doing that really affects how our state runs,” said Chariman of the Board Vernita Dorsey.
The non-profits say that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic not only have they been trying to make sure non profits are still around after everything is said and done. They’ve been working tirelessly to help their communities survive too. “As businesses shut down and workplaces went virtual, what was left – and what’s always left – is non profits. So maintaining service was one thing,” said Cruce.
The United Way of Delaware and the Delaware Community Foundation say the funding will be distributed to smaller non profits in several cycles. They add that they’re expecting hundreds of applicants.
