[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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       RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF DELAWARE COMMUNITY 
     FOUNDATION
 Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize 
and congratulate the Delaware Community Foundation, DCF, on 40 years of 
extraordinary service to the State of Delaware through its enduring 
commitment to philanthropy, community investment, and collaborative 
leadership. Over the last four decades, DCF has brought together 
individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to strengthen 
communities and find solutions that work for all Delawareans.
  Delaware Community Foundation was established in 1986 with Jack 
Quindlen, then-treasurer of the DuPont Corporation, serving as its 
first board chair. Just a few years later, in 1989, Governor Mike 
Castle endorsed the Delaware Community Foundation, and the State 
appropriated $2 million to support nonprofit organizations through the 
DCF ``as an investment in the charitable future of Delaware.''
  Since its founding, the Delaware Community Foundation has celebrated 
many milestones in service to our community. In 1992, the DCF exceeded 
$1 million in grants to nonprofits for the first time. The following 
year, it elected the first female chair, making another important step 
forward in its leadership. In 1997, the community services building 
opened in Wilmington, providing affordable office space for the 
nonprofits in the region. The DCF worked diligently on this project to 
bring that vision to reality and remains headquartered there today. In 
2002, the Delaware Community Foundation expanded its reach in the State 
and established its first southern Delaware office in Georgetown.
  In the mid-2000s, the DCF recognized the importance of cultivating 
future leaders in philanthropy and established the Next Gen North and 
Next Gen South young professionals groups. Together, these groups have 
contributed more than $500,000 to their communities up and down the 
State of Delaware while also inspiring a new generation of civic 
engagement and philanthropic leadership.
  During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delaware Community Foundation once 
again showed its unwavering commitment to the State and raised $5 
million in just a few months. It was one of the first organizations in 
the country to begin granting funds to nonprofits and communities 
facing unprecedented challenges.
  Today, the Delaware Community Foundation continues to be a thriving 
philanthropic organization, providing necessary grant funding, as well 
as technical assistance and support, to nearly 200 nonprofits in the 
State that have established funds at the DCF. This year alone, the DCF 
will grant more than $25 million to the Delaware community, and by the 
end of 2026, it is on track to deliver a record-breaking $1 million in 
scholarships to allow students across Delaware to further their 
academic careers without the burden of excessive student debt.
  At a time where philanthropy is more critical than ever to ensuring 
our local communities can grow and thrive, the DCF is working 
tirelessly to help organizations meet the moment. In the spring of 
2025, the DCF opened the Meet the Moment grant program, a $545,000 
grant program, offering grants of up to $20,000 to support a variety of 
needs for nonprofits. Over 175 organizations applied, with requests 
totaling above $3.3 million, signaling the dire need for philanthropic 
support in this moment. The Delaware Community Foundation has provided 
more than $1 million in grants and programming to date through the Meet 
the Moment program to help organizations grow and work in an ever-
changing philanthropic landscape.
  Today, I invite my colleagues to join me and the people of Delaware 
in honoring the outstanding work of the Delaware Community Foundation 
in celebration of its 40th anniversary. I extend my deepest gratitude 
to the DCF and know that its steadfast leadership will continue to be 
reflected in all they do for the State of Delaware for years to 
come.

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