The Foundation for Delaware County

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~$2.4M in grants (FY2024, including new and multi-year payments)
• New Impact Grants (FY2024): $1,208,870
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Approximately 3.5 months (applications due February, awards announced late May)
• Grant Range: Up to $15,000 (Partners in Giving); multi-year commitments possible
• Geographic Focus: Delaware County, Pennsylvania (USA)
• Total Assets (FY2024): $80,381,635
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4/4 Stars (100% overall score)

Contact Details

• Website: delcofoundation.org
• Phone: 610-744-1010
• Email (General): info@delcofoundation.org
• Email (Grants): grants@delcofoundation.org
• Address: 200 East State Street, Suite 304, Media, PA 19063
• Grant Contact: Mischico Warren, Vice President of Nonprofit Services — mwarren@delcofoundation.org | 610-744-1016
• Pre-Application Support: Applicants are encouraged to schedule a meeting with Mischico Warren before applying. Sign up for the Foundation's e-newsletter for grant cycle updates.

Overview

The Foundation for Delaware County is the largest grantmaking philanthropy serving Delaware County, Pennsylvania, operating as the county's community foundation. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Media, PA, it holds total assets of approximately $80.4 million (as of FY2024) and has distributed more than $16.6 million in grants, scholarships, and charitable care since inception. Its mission is "to ensure an equitable, vibrant future for Delaware County by promoting generosity, inspiring participation and partnership across our communities, and improving the quality of life for all."

The Foundation's strategic approach combines competitive grantmaking with direct public health programming (including WIC nutrition, Nurse-Family Partnership, and El Centro), philanthropic services such as donor-advised funds, and nonprofit capacity-building through its Center for Nonprofit Excellence. It administers 64 charitable funds and engages over 535 nonprofit leaders annually in professional development. The Foundation holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and has received formal recognition from Delaware County government for its community impact. For FY2026, the Foundation has launched a new collaborative "Partners in Giving" initiative jointly with The Community's Foundation (TCF), streamlining the grant experience for Delaware County nonprofits.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Partners in Giving (2026 Cycle — Primary Competitive Grant Program)

A joint initiative between The Foundation for Delaware County and The Community's Foundation (TCF) to reduce duplication and simplify access to funding. Applications are submitted through an online portal.

• Cancer Survivors: Up to $15,000 — Non-clinical grants for education and supportive services assisting cancer survivors in Delaware County.
• Community Development: Up to $10,000 — Advocacy, community engagement, adult education (including ESL), planning initiatives; supports pilots, emerging needs, and longer-term groundwork.
• Health: Up to $10,000 — Improving health and well-being of children, families, and vulnerable populations; LGBTQIA+ inclusive and affirming approaches welcomed.
• Youth Development: Up to $10,000 — Supports advocacy, interventions, and collaborations that enhance protective factors for youth, including arts and arts education.
• Hospice/Home Healthcare: Amount not pre-set — Grants for organizations providing hospice and home healthcare for low-income individuals with disabilities and vulnerable senior citizens, including programs supporting aging in place.

Application Method: Online portal (rolling within fixed deadline window) Application Opens: January 15 Application Due: February 19 Award Announcements: Late May (approximately May 29)

2. Delaware County Rapid Response Fund

An emergency grantmaking initiative activated in response to urgent, time-sensitive community needs (e.g., federal budget disruptions, SNAP benefit interruptions). Grants are distributed to 501(c)(3) organizations responding to basic human needs: emergency food assistance, housing stability, and continuity of essential services. Most recent round awarded $131,500 to 23 nonprofits. This fund is activated as needed and is not always open.

3. Associates Board Community Grants

A separate grant cycle run by the Foundation's Associates Board. The 2025 cycle has closed; details for future cycles are announced via the Foundation's e-newsletter.

4. Multi-Year (Impact) Grants

The Foundation's primary Impact Grant program awards multi-year grants (up to three years). In FY2024, the Foundation made second-year payments totaling $712,000 (9 nonprofits) and third-year payments totaling $203,848. The FY25 Impact Grant program is paused for the FY26 cycle while Partners in Giving launches.

Priority Areas

• Children's health and well-being (consistently the largest funding category — $700,690 in FY2024)
• Food security and access
• Community and economic development
• Hospice and home healthcare
• Support for cancer survivors
• Community mental health
• Maternal and child health
• Youth development (including arts and arts education for youth)
• Housing and aging in place
• Racial equity and support for historically underserved populations
• Organizations serving immigrants, non-English speakers, and minority-led organizations

The Foundation prioritizes organizations demonstrating outcomes in one or more of three types:

• Safety Net: Providing basic assistance to prevent dire outcomes
• Preventive: Intervening before problems arise
• Systems Change: Targeting root causes to change structures and improve systems

What They Don't Fund

Based on eligibility requirements and stated preferences:

• Organizations not serving Delaware County, PA residents
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status (unless applying via a registered fiscal sponsor)
• Clinical medical services for cancer survivors (only non-clinical education and supportive services funded in the cancer survivors category)
• Programs or services outside Delaware County
• Grants are for programs and services, not general operations unless aligned with stated priorities

Governance and Leadership

Senior Staff

Name	Title	Email	Phone
Michael Kellerman	President	mkellerman@delcofoundation.org	610-744-1011
Joanne D. Craig	Chief Impact Officer	jcraig@delcofoundation.org	610-744-1955
Laura DeFlavia	Chief Financial Officer	LDeFlavia@delcofoundation.org	610-744-1012
Monika Collins	Chief Advancement Officer	Mcollins@delcofoundation.org	610-744-1015
Mischico Warren	VP of Nonprofit Services (Grant Contact)	mwarren@delcofoundation.org	610-744-1016
Katie Kenyon	Vice President for Programs	kkenyon@delcofoundation.org	610-619-6112
Katy Lichtenstein	Vice President of Communications	klichtenstein@delcofoundation.org	610-744-1017
Bilal Taylor	Associate Director, Center for Nonprofit Excellence	btaylor@delcofoundation.org	610-744-1014
Hannah Laurison	Director of Development and External Relations	hlaurison@delcofoundation.org	610-744-1951

Board of Directors

• Michael B. Magnavita, CPA — Chair; President and CEO, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union
• Ted Peters — Secretary; Chairman and CEO, Bluestone Financial Institutions Fund
• The Honorable Dominic F. Pileggi — Judge, Delaware County Court of Common Pleas; Past PA Senate Majority Leader
• Donald W. Delson, Esquire — Retired Investment Banker; Trustee, Chester Charter Scholars Academy
• Donna Crilley Farrell — Senior VP of Corporate Communications, Independence Blue Cross
• James N. Harper, Jr. — Business Manager, Laborers' Local #413
• Malcolm J. Yates — Managing Partner and Head of Government Relations, Maven Inc.
• Mia I. Mendoza — Founder, Mendoza Group, Inc.
• Michael N. Mattise, CFP — Partner and Wealth Advisor, Corient
• Nicholas A. Aponte — Retired Senior Credit Executive, PNC
• Robert N. Speare, Esquire — Partner, Speare & Hughey

Leadership Quotes

Former President Frances Sheehan on the quality of applications received:

"We were extremely pleased with the quality, range and innovation of many of the proposals we received."

Board Member L. Joy Gates Black on the Foundation's role:

"The foundation serves the County as a convener and a trusted advisor to donors, a provider of resources and an advocate to those in need."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online portal at delcofoundation.org/advancing-nonprofits/apply-for-a-grant/.

Eligibility Checklist:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization OR a grassroots organization/collaborative applying under a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor
• Must serve Delaware County, Pennsylvania residents
• Programs and services must be delivered in or for Delaware County residents
• Only one funding priority area may be selected per application

Preferred Characteristics:

• GuideStar (Candid) Platinum profile preferred
• Strong track record of collaboration with other organizations
• Demonstrated diversity, equity, and cultural competency practices
• Trauma-informed approach to services
• Focus on the most vulnerable populations (families in poverty, immigrants, non-English speakers, minority-led organizations)

Pre-Application Advice:

• Applicants are encouraged to schedule a meeting with Mischico Warren (VP of Nonprofit Services) before submitting
• Sign up for the Foundation's e-newsletter to receive timely announcements about grant cycles, which are not always on identical schedules year to year
• Contact: grants@delcofoundation.org

Decision Timeline

Milestone	Timing
Application portal opens	Mid-January (e.g., January 15)
Application deadline	Mid-to-late February (e.g., February 19)
Award announcements	Late May (e.g., May 29)
Total cycle duration	Approximately 14–15 weeks from opening to announcement

Notification is made via formal announcement, typically publicized via press release and the Foundation's website.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose acceptance/success rates. Based on available data:

• FY2024: 57 organizations funded; $1,208,870 in new grants awarded
• FY2023: 51 organizations funded; approximately $2.19M in total grant awards (including multi-year payments)
• FY2022: 51 organizations funded; $1,434,853 in new grants
• FY2021: 76 grants awarded
• FY2020: 107 grants awarded

The Foundation has consistently awarded between 47 and 76 new grants per cycle in recent years (excluding multi-year payments). The volume of applications received is not publicly reported.

Reapplication Policy

No specific waiting period or reapplication restriction is publicly documented. Multi-year grants are available — some recipients receive second- and third-year payments after the initial award. Organizations that have not been funded previously are equally encouraged to apply. Given the competitive nature of the process, contacting grants@delcofoundation.org or scheduling a pre-application meeting is recommended for all applicants, including those who have been previously unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated preferences, grant history, and available guidance:

1. Align tightly with one stated priority area. Applications should focus on a single funding priority (Cancer Survivors, Community Development, Health, Youth Development, or Hospice/Home Healthcare) rather than trying to fit multiple categories. The Foundation explicitly states applicants should "select one area that aligns most closely with their mission and proposed activities."

2. Define your outcome type clearly. The Foundation uses three outcome frameworks — Safety Net, Preventive, and Systems Change. Strong applications clearly articulate which type of outcome they are pursuing and demonstrate why this approach is appropriate.

3. Demonstrate reach to the most vulnerable. Proposals targeting families in poverty, immigrants, non-English speakers, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and minority-led organizations align closely with stated priorities. Former President Frances Sheehan has noted appreciation for "quality, range and innovation" — proposals that demonstrate a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to underserved groups stand out.

4. Show collaboration. The Foundation prefers organizations with a "strong collaboration record." Demonstrating active partnerships with other Delaware County organizations, particularly as part of coalitions or collective impact campaigns, is advantageous. The Foundation has made multi-year grants specifically to launch collaborative campaigns (e.g., CASA Youth Advocates' "Voice for Children" collective impact campaign received $100,000 over two years).

5. Have a current Candid (GuideStar) Platinum profile. The Foundation explicitly prefers applicants with a Platinum-level GuideStar profile, signaling organizational transparency and maturity.

6. Be Delaware County-rooted. Organizations located in Delaware County are preferred, though county-wide service is the minimum requirement. Service sites in Chester, Upper Darby, and Springfield are areas of particular community concentration for the Foundation.

7. Use a trauma-informed, culturally competent approach. Applications should demonstrate awareness of and responsiveness to trauma, cultural diversity, and the specific needs of the communities being served — language that mirrors the Foundation's own documentation.

8. Leverage the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. The Foundation's Center for Nonprofit Excellence engages over 535 nonprofit leaders annually in professional development. Participation demonstrates investment in organizational capacity, which is favored by the Foundation.

9. Engage before submitting. The Foundation explicitly encourages scheduling a pre-application meeting with Mischico Warren (VP of Nonprofit Services). This is the single most actionable step applicants can take to align their proposals with current priorities.

10. Consider multi-year framing. The Foundation makes multi-year commitments (second and third year payments totaling $915,848 in FY2024). Proposals that articulate a multi-year strategy and demonstrate sustainability are more likely to be seen as strong partners.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Community foundation for Delaware County, PA — only organizations serving Delaware County residents are eligible; geographic alignment is non-negotiable.
• The Partners in Giving RFP is the primary competitive grant cycle, now run jointly with The Community's Foundation (TCF). Grant amounts are up to $15,000 (cancer survivors) and $10,000 (other categories). The cycle runs January–May.
• Multi-year grants are possible — the Foundation actively makes second- and third-year payments, so strong performers can build sustained relationships worth well over the initial award.
• Pre-application engagement is explicitly encouraged. Contact Mischico Warren (mwarren@delcofoundation.org) to schedule a meeting before submitting — this is Foundation-recommended best practice.
• Candid (GuideStar) Platinum profile is a differentiator. If your organization does not have a Platinum profile, securing one before applying will improve your standing.
• Children's health and well-being is consistently the largest funding category (representing the majority of grant dollars in FY2022, FY2023, and FY2024). Organizations in this space have the widest funding pool.
• Sign up for the Foundation's e-newsletter to receive timely cycle updates — program details (such as the shift to Partners in Giving in FY2026) can change significantly year-to-year.
• The Foundation is a 4-star Charity Navigator organization with $80M in assets and a long-term commitment to the county — relationships built with this funder can yield sustained multi-year support.

References

1. The Foundation for Delaware County — Official Website: https://delcofoundation.org — Accessed February 2026
2. Apply for a Grant page: https://delcofoundation.org/advancing-nonprofits/apply-for-a-grant/ — Accessed February 2026; source of application timeline, eligibility, Partners in Giving program details, and grant amounts
3. 2024 Impact Grant Awards: https://delcofoundation.org/advancing-nonprofits/2024-impact-grant-awards/ — Accessed February 2026; source of FY2024 grant category totals and notable recipients
4. 2023 Impact Grant Awards: https://delcofoundation.org/advancing-nonprofits/2023-impact-grant-awards/ — Accessed February 2026; source of FY2023 grant totals and recipients
5. 2022 Grant Awards: https://delcofoundation.org/advancing-nonprofits/2022-grant-awards/ — Accessed February 2026; source of FY2022 grant totals and recipients
6. Who We Are: https://delcofoundation.org/who-we-are/ — Accessed February 2026; source of mission, vision, and overview
7. Our Staff: https://delcofoundation.org/who-we-are/our-staff/ — Accessed February 2026; source of all staff names, titles, and contact information
8. Our Board: https://delcofoundation.org/who-we-are/our-staff/our-board/ — Accessed February 2026; source of board member names and affiliations
9. Our Impact: https://delcofoundation.org/our-impact/ — Accessed February 2026; source of cumulative giving totals ($16.6M since 2016), impact statistics, and stakeholder quotes
10. Financial Information: https://delcofoundation.org/who-we-are/financial-info/ — Accessed February 2026; source of investment strategy and financial governance
11. Delaware County Rapid Response Fund Press Release: https://delcofoundation.org/delaware-county-rapid-response-fund-activated/ — Accessed February 2026; source of Rapid Response Fund details ($131,500 to 23 nonprofits)
12. Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia — Foundation Awards Over $1.1M article: https://philanthropynetwork.org/news/foundation-delaware-county-awards-over-11-million-local-nonprofits — Accessed February 2026; source of Frances Sheehan quote and early grantmaking details
13. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/222540853 — Accessed February 2026; source of FY2024 financials (Total Revenue: $12,279,556; Total Expenses: $11,886,232; Total Assets: $80,381,635)
14. Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/222540853 — Accessed February 2026; source of 4-star rating, leadership compensation, and program expense ratio
15. Cause IQ: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-foundation-for-delaware-county,222540853/ — Accessed February 2026; source of grant count history (72 awards in 2024, 59 in 2023, 73 in 2022)
16. Delaware Patch — $131K Awarded to 23 Non-Profits: https://patch.com/pennsylvania/media/131k-awarded-23-non-profits-delaware-county — Accessed February 2026; Rapid Response Fund coverage
17. Delco.today — New Board Members 2025: https://delco.today/2025/07/new-board-members-foundation-for-delaware-county/ — Accessed February 2026; board composition information
18. WHYY — Delco Nonprofits Awarded Grants After Budget Delays: https://whyy.org/articles/delaware-county-nonprofits-grant-money-delco/ — Accessed February 2026; Rapid Response Fund context