Grants to Delaware nonprofit organizations to develop the capacity of leaders and organizations to better serve communities of color. Eligible proposals are those in which people of color are involved in the design, leadership, and delivery of the program. The purpose of the program is to support equitable change in the community.

In 2022, the BIPOC Leaders and Communities Grants Program will target funding to significantly increase leader-of-color-led organizations amongst grantees, support community-driven change, and provide capacity-building funding to support current and next-generation leaders’ long-term success.

Through this initiative, the DCF, in partnership with AAEFD, will support organizations throughout Delaware that are seeking to:

• Build the capacity (e.g., skill building, training, and mentorship) of existing, new, and emerging leaders of color.
• Build the capacity (e.g. skill building for board, staff, or volunteers; improving financial management) of nonprofit organizations that serve communities of color.
• Strengthen an organization and allow it to more effectively and efficiently advance its mission, through things like: Strategic planning, financial management, identifying a communications strategy, improving volunteer recruitment, ensuring thoughtful leadership succession.
• Support grassroots organizing and advocacy efforts that aim to change policies and practices that negatively impact people of color, because of their race or ethnicity.
• Alleviate the impact of race-based discrimination and disparities.
• Improve economic well-being, such as increasing access to employment opportunities or access to education and professional development.
• Prepare and empower communities to participate in decision making processes.

To be considered for funding a proposal must involve people of color in one or more of the following ways:

• In leadership positions on board and staff of the organization
• Involved in the design, delivery, and evaluation of the programs and services
• Most of the participants or intended recipients.