WILMINGTON – The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation (PDFF) marked a milestone 10th anniversary for its flagship Reinventing Delaware initiative on June 2, 2025. The event, attended by business leaders from across the state, showcased two bold, community-driven ideas selected as this year’s honorees.
To commemorate a decade of innovation, PDFF awarded a total of $22,000 in funding and announced the framework for distinct nonprofit and for-profit tracks for future competitions. The funding was provided in partnership support of sponsors including CSC, Barclays, Highmark, Mrs. Elise du Pont, and Terry and Sandy Strine.
2025 Top Idea of the Year: Delaware Health Empowerment Coalition (DHEC)
Awarded $15,000
Championed by Dr. Cydney Teal, Dr. Velma Scantlebury, Dr. Felicia Stallings, and Dr. Joan Coker, the Delaware Health Empowerment Coalition is a physician-led initiative tackling health inequity across Delaware. With over 80 years of combined experience and more than 1,200 patients served to date, DHEC delivers culturally competent, community-centered care that improves lives while reducing long-term healthcare costs.
Their scalable model aims to grow to three statewide locations to reach over 20,000 patients.
10th Anniversary Honoree: WilmInvest’s Community Development Corporation
Awarded $7,000
Founded by Joel Amin and Bryce Fender, WilmInvest first participated in Reinventing Delaware in 2018 with just an idea. Today, it’s a thriving organization with over $3 million in assets. Their latest initiative, a Community Development Corporation, focuses on revitalizing Wilmington’s under-resourced neighborhoods by converting distressed, investor-owned properties into stable homeownership opportunities, paired with wraparound support. This model has already developed 33 housing units, served 175 renters (108 currently housed), secured over $2 million in loans and grants, created a $750,000 opportunity to develop 20 additional homes.
The Road to Reinventing Delaware 2026 Begins
With the 2025 Reinventing Delaware celebration behind us, we’re already looking ahead to the next chapter. Join PDFF TO kick off the 2026 cycle at our exclusive Reinventing Delaware Dinner on November 18, 2025—an evening limited to just 100 guests.
If you’ve been holding on to a transformative idea, now’s your chance to share it—and earn a seat at the table where Delaware’s next big solutions are born. Submit online at https://www.petedupontfreedomfoundation.org/reinventing-delaware-2025-idea-submission-form/.
