[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10184]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2006

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Delaware 
Community Foundation as it celebrates its 20th anniversary of 
unparalleled service to the State. The Foundation was created in 1986 
to provide a lasting source of charitable funding by enabling donors 
and organizations to effectively support the causes that matter most to 
Delaware's citizens.
  In the publication of its first newsletter in 1990, the Foundation 
noted that through its first grant making program it awarded roughly 
$60,000 in grants to six agencies for use in addressing homelessness. 
Other inaugural accomplishments included the creation of 8 new 
charitable funds, and a total fund balance of just over $6 million. 
Today, the Foundation manages nearly 600 charitable funds, gives from a 
total asset balance of more than $200 million, and has awarded more 
than $54 million in grants in its short 20-year history. This 
exceptional growth stands as a testament to the important work done by 
the Delaware Community Foundation and how much it is truly needed.
  Through its strong community leadership, and both competitive and 
non-competitive grant programs, the Foundation is now able to adapt to 
the needs of the community as they emerge and evolve. In doing so, the 
Delaware Community Foundation has been able to support hundreds of 
charitable organizations in Delaware who deal with a wide range of 
causes; such as the arts, education, environmental concerns, health 
care, substance abuse and violence prevention, affordable housing, 
social services, and other philanthropic and religious organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank the Delaware Community 
Foundation for its hard work on behalf of our citizens, and for 
providing effective and responsible philanthropy that has enhanced the 
quality of life of many Delawareans; the Foundation's mission is truly 
inspiring. Like the hundreds of other community foundations throughout 
the United States, the Delaware Community Foundation continues to offer 
an invaluable service to our great Country.

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