A Look at the Chichester duPont Foundation and Its Two Funds

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Based in Wilmington, Delaware, the Chichester duPont Foundation is an interesting Delaware-focused funder encompassing two funds with different priorities. To guide local grantseekers, here is an overview of those two funds and how to approach the foundation for support.

The Clark Fund

The Clark Fund is the older of the two funds and was created in 1946 by Mary Chichester duPont Clark. This fund is broadly concerned with education, the environment, healthcare and social services. Most Clark Fund grants go toward human services programs, such as Cheer Senior Services, the Food Bank of Delaware, Men’s Second Chance Living and Project New Start.

The Lydia Fund

The Lydia Fund is the newer of the two and dates back to 1958. It was primarily created to benefit the Children’s Beach House and the community of Lewes, Delaware. It has a strong Delaware focus and also supports medical care, treatment and education for underprivileged children in the state. This fund awards fewer grants per year than the Clark Fund and mostly supports social services groups that serve the needs of children, including Girls on the Run, Primeros Pasos and Camp Possibilities.

Grants remain under $50,000

The Chichester duPont Foundation prefers to award numerous smaller grants each year rather than just a couple larger ones. It does not consider requests over $50,000 and grants are limited to one year only. However, nonprofits can apply for a new grant each year. All giving stays within the United States, although almost all grants have a more specific Delaware focus. The foundation also gives priority to special projects, new initiatives, expanding current programs and capital improvements.

Letters of inquiry welcome

Although the Chichester duPont Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals, it does welcome initial letters of inquiry by August 1 each year. Grantseekers can submit their inquiries via mail and email. Turnaround time is quick with this funder, which usually responds within two weeks of receiving a new letter of inquiry. After that, full grant proposals are due by September 1 and should be submitted by email. The foundation then distributes grant money by the end of the calendar year. This same process applies to both the Clark Fund and the Lydia Fund.

For more information about this foundation, see IP’s full profile of the Chichester duPont Foundation in our Mid-Atlantic States Funding Guide.