Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Delaware
1,536 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Delaware, holding $25B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 11 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund Incsince 2006 | Wilmington, DE | $120M118 grants · 2024 | $200K | Preselected only | $3.5B |
| Aurora Foundationsince 2015 | Wilmington, DE | $54M1 grants · 2024 | $54M | Preselected only | $674M |
| Longwood Foundation Incsince 1940 | Wilmington, DE | $41M94 grants · 2024 | $202K | Yes | $807M |
| Essex Avenue Foundationsince 2021 | Wilmington, DE | $28M77 grants · 2024 | $300K | Preselected only | $684M |
| Windhover Foundation Incsince 1984 | Wilmington, DE | $26M243 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Preselected only | $64M |
| The Linda and Mike Mussallem Foundationsince 2017 | Wilmington, DE | $21M2 grants · 2024 | $11M | Preselected only | $82M |
| Emmet Family Charitable Foundationsince 2021 | Newark, DE | $20M7 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $62M |
| Robert and Ardis James Foundation Incsince 2014 | Wilmington, DE | $18M110 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $170M |
| Head & Heart Foundation Trsince 2020 | Wilmington, DE | $13M86 grants · 2025 | $100K | Preselected only | $259M |
| Morgridge Family Foundationsince 2009 | Wilmington, DE | $13M158 grants · 2024 | $6,400 | Preselected only | $244M |
| John & Tami Marick Foundation Incsince 2015 | Wilmington, DE | $12M121 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $408M |
| Three Sisters Foundationsince 2014 | Wilmington, DE | $12M4 grants · 2025 | $225K | Preselected only | $74M |
| Crystal Trust Ua Dtd 12-25-47 Irenee Dupont Jr Tteesince 1949 | Montchanin, DE | $12M1 grants · 2025 | $12M | Yes | $272M |
| Erik E and Edith H Bergstrom Foundation a Charitable Trustsince 2002 | Wilmington, DE | $11M50 grants · 2024 | $141K | Preselected only | $266M |
| Lisa Dean Moseley Foundationsince 2007 | Rockland, DE | $9.1M4 grants · 2024 | $1.1M | Yes | $95M |
| Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation Incsince 1951 | Wilmington, DE | $8.2M227 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $126M |
| The Barry S Sternlicht Foundationsince 2002 | Wilmington, DE | $7.6M73 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $170M |
| Band Foundationsince 2015 | Wilmington, DE | $7.2M49 grants · 2024 | $133K | Preselected only | $148M |
| Robert and Dana Emery Family Foundationsince 2013 | Wilmington, DE | $7.2M89 grants · 2025 | $25K | Yes | $186M |
| The Monarch Charitable Foundationsince 2018 | Wilmington, DE | $7.0M14 grants · 2024 | $12K | Preselected only | $109M |
| Moccasin Lake Foundationsince 1993 | Wilmington, DE | $6.9M117 grants · 2025 | $14K | Yes | $110M |
| Jhc Foundationsince 2020 | Wilmington, DE | $6.2M10 grants · 2024 | $435K | Preselected only | $114M |
| Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities Incorporatedsince 1947 | Wilmington, DE | $6.2M325 grants · 2024 | $18K | Yes | $208M |
| Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundationsince 2008 | Wilmington, DE | $5.7M1 grants · 2024 | $5.7M | Preselected only | $91M |
| Waymark Foundationsince 2016 | Wilmington, DE | $5.5M1 grants · 2024 | $5.5M | Preselected only | $106M |
| Stephen & Mary Birch Foundation Incsince 1938 | Wilmington, DE | $5.4M239 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $78M |
| Pincus Family Foundationsince 2005 | Wilmington, DE | $5.3M104 grants · 2025 | $23K | Preselected only | $104M |
| Horizon Charitable Foundationsince 2018 | Wilmington, DE | $5.1M14 grants · 2024 | $150K | Preselected only | $121M |
| Pincus Family Fundsince 2021 | Wilmington, DE | $4.7M11 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $100M |
| Carl M Freeman Foundation Incsince 2001 | Selbyville, DE | $4.7M61 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $116M |
| Welfare Foundation Incsince 1947 | Wilmington, DE | $4.7M69 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $107M |
| Valley Fund Charitable Foundationsince 2013 | Wilmington, DE | $4.4M13 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $88M |
| Psquared Charitable Foundationsince 2019 | Wilmington, DE | $3.8M44 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $108M |
| Westmeath Foundationsince 2013 | Wilmington, DE | $3.7M131 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $66M |
| Laffey-Mchugh Foundationsince 1961 | Wilmington, DE | $3.7M153 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $66M |
| Stella Roy Foundationsince 2024 | Wilmington, DE | $3.6M13 grants · 2025 | $100K | Preselected only | $76M |
| William T and Frances a Little Foundationsince 1999 | Wilmington, DE | $3.6M46 grants · 2025 | $60K | Preselected only | $259M |
| Broadcom Foundationsince 2009 | Wilmington, DE | $3.5M165 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $92M |
| M K Reichert Sternlicht Foundationsince 2016 | Wilmington, DE | $3.4M88 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $100M |
| Brandt Jackson Foundationsince 2011 | Wilmington, DE | $3.4M51 grants · 2025 | $40K | Preselected only | $70M |
| Oechsle Family Foundation Incsince 2007 | Wilmington, DE | $3.3M51 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $59M |
| Donald J Slavik Family Foundationsince 2019 | Wilmington, DE | $3.2M26 grants · 2024 | $119K | Preselected only | $85M |
| Laurie Kayden Foundationsince 1990 | Wilmington, DE | $3.2M67 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $64M |
| Acahand Foundationsince 2022 | Wilmington, DE | $3.1M132 grants · 2024 | $3,934 | Preselected only | $79M |
| Efrusy Family Foundationsince 2013 | Wilmington, DE | $2.9M26 grants · 2024 | $46K | Preselected only | $85M |
| Michael and Karen Stone Family Foundation Incsince 2003 | Wilmington, DE | $2.9M38 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $63M |
| Reissa Foundationsince 2016 | Wilmington, DE | $2.8M98 grants · 2024 | $13K | Preselected only | $66M |
| Reiner Family Foundationsince 2019 | Wilmington, DE | $2.7M8 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $61M |
| Feigin Foundationsince 2025 | Wilmington, DE | $2.7M4 grants · 2025 | $575K | Preselected only | $323M |
| Lytton-Kambara Foundationsince 2017 | Wilmington, DE | $2.6M24 grants · 2024 | $2,500 | Preselected only | $71M |
| Passport Foundationsince 2008 | Wilmington, DE | $2.6M44 grants · 2024 | $33K | Preselected only | $63M |
| David and Janet Polak Foundationsince 2014 | Wilmington, DE | $2.3M82 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $70M |
| Gerald & Helen M Stephens Foundationsince 1988 | Wilmington, DE | $2.1M4 grants · 2025 | $550K | Preselected only | $59M |
| Frank McHugh-Odonovan Foundation Incsince 2004 | Wilmington, DE | $1.9M32 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $60M |
| Homer Skelton Charitable Foundationsince 1995 | Wilmington, DE | $902K25 grants · 2024 | $12K | Yes | $58M |
| Daniel Haiming & Cai Li Chang Family Foundationsince 2017 | Wilmington, DE | $442K7 grants · 2024 | $40K | Preselected only | $68M |
| Ge Li & Ning Zhao Family Foundationsince 2020 | Wilmington, DE | $205K4 grants · 2024 | $40K | Preselected only | $310M |
| The Champlin Foundationsince 1976 | Wilmington, DE | — | — | Not stated | $457M |
| La Vida Feliz Foundationsince 2009 | Wilmington, DE | — | — | Preselected only | $377M |
| Smilow Foundation Incsince 2024 | Wilmington, DE | — | — | Preselected only | $166M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Delaware
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Delaware Division of the Arts — Organizational GrantsStateDelaware Division of the Arts | Delaware Division of the Arts | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Delaware Humanities — Humanities GrantsStateDelaware Humanities | Delaware Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Delaware?
Our directory lists 1,536 private grantmaking foundations in Delaware with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $25B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.