The Delaware COVID-19 Emergency Initiative nearly hit $2 million in total donations with the allocation May 1 of $233,000 in grants awarded to 13 nonprofits from the Strategic Response Fund. The weekly recipients were selected from $1.3 million in applications from 35 applicants. The United Way of Delaware will announce recipients for its separate bi-weekly Rapid Response Fund allocations on May 8. Recipients for this round and how the money will be used, are:

• Arise Delaware ($4,300): Purchase sensory equipment to lend to families with special needs children in Kent County.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware ($30,000): Provide food to families in Wilmington.
• Catholic Charities – Diocese of Wilmington ($12,500): Provide case management for families in need statewide.
• Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity ($35,000): Complete construction of houses and provide mortgage relief for families in Kent County.
• Christina Cultural Arts Center ($15,000): Provide distance learning support for underserved families in Wilmington.
• Communities in Schools Delaware ($12,500): Provide technology for staff supporting underserved students statewide.
• Community Education Building ($5,000): Provide laundry services for low-income families in Wilmington.
• Delmarva Community Services ($5,700): Technology to serve residents of group homes for developmentally delayed individuals in Sussex County.
• Family Promise of Northern New Castle County ($25,000): Housing for homeless families.
• Ingleside Homes ($30,000): Pay for staff and supplies for additional cleaning and individual meal delivery to residents.
• Rehoboth Art League ($15,000): Help pay for staff and maintenance of facilities.
• Survivors of Abuse in Recovery (SOAR) ($3,000): Technology to support telehealth.
• Sussex County Habitat for Humanity ($40,000): Complete construction of houses and provide mortgage relief for families in Sussex County.

To date, the fund, which launched on March 18, has awarded $1.5 million to 62 Delaware nonprofits. Weekly grants will continue through Memorial Day, said Allison Levine from the Delaware Community Foundation, which houses the fund.  Deadlines are at noon on May 4, May 11 and May 18. The fund will accept additional grant applications on June 1 and June 15. These grants will be focused on strengthening sectors largely upheld by nonprofits, including the arts, culture, environment, workforce development, animal welfare and others. The June grants will target nonprofit organizations – both large and small – playing key roles in various sectors, throughout the state. This program is still being developed, and additional information is not yet available. Specific guidelines and applications will be announced in May on the websites and social media channels of DANA, the DCF and PD. The Longwood Foundation, which previously gave $1 million to the Strategic Response Fund, recently awarded a $500,000 grant, with the stipulation that the DCF must raise a matching $500,000 from the community by May 30. To make a gift that qualifies for the match, give at delcf.org/covid19-fund or contact Joan Hoge-North, jhoge-north@delcf.org. The application is open at delcf.org/covid-grants. The deadline for the next round of awards is Monday, May 4, at noon. The fund, which is being directed by Philanthropy Delaware President Cynthia Pritchard, already includes generous gifts from the Longwood Foundation ($1.5 million), Welfare Foundation ($200,000), Fund for Women ($200,000), Highmark ($100,000), Laffey-McHugh ($100,000), Discover ($75,000), DCF ($75,000), WSFS Bank ($25,000) and others.  To contribute, visit delcf.org/covid19-fund.