June 16, 2025 

Dear Representatives and Senators:  

We write to you on behalf of the thousands of staff and volunteers who power our organizations, and the hundreds of thousands of Delawareans we serve in every corner of our state.  

Our nonprofits are facing an inflection point in history, and we need our partners in state government to protect essential services and ensure that no Delawarean is left without the support they need to live safely and with dignity.  

For generations, Delaware nonprofits have played a vital role in filling the gaps in services that government either cannot or does not provide, often to our state’s most in-need citizens. Our organizations are on the front lines daily, providing services such as food assistance, housing, mental health, healthcare, education, the arts, and support for young children, seniors, and those who live in poverty.  

We accomplish all of this while contributing to our state’s economy by collectively employing 76,000 people annually and spending more than $9 billion to serve local communities.  

However, our critical work is facing a serious challenge due to funding concerns.  Rising costs, stagnant donations, and growing community needs – combined with federal funding threats – have created a precarious moment for Delaware’s nonprofit sector.  

At the state level, many nonprofit service providers have not seen an increased investment in contract rates for state services. Grant-in-Aid funding has been a vital source of revenue to support critical programs, especially for smaller, community-based organizations that may not receive any other state funding. However, much of this bill’s growth in past years has been through one-time contributions or incremental resources for municipal and state initiatives. Given the concerns of continued federal grants and the limited growth available through philanthropic funds, Delaware’s investment is more important than ever.  

If funding disappears, services will stop, and people will suffer. Children, seniors, people with disabilities, and families will lose access to critical programs. The cost of this outcome will be much greater than the upfront investment.  

Nonprofits are essential partners in Delaware’s safety net. We urge you to protect that safety net. Increase – or at the very least maintain – Grant-in-Aid funding.  It is vital to protecting the services our communities count on.  

Thank you for your service to Delaware. We stand ready to work collaboratively with you to protect and strengthen the services that sustain our state. 

Sincerely, 

Sheila Bravo, MBA, Ph.D. 
President & CEO 

Additional Suppporters:

ABC Parenting Institute
Amanecer Counseling & Resource Center
Bernard & Ruth Seigel Jewish Community Center of Delaware, Inc.
CAMP Rehoboth
Cares LMM Foundation
ContactLifeline, Inc.
DCADV
Delaware Alliance Against Sexual Violence
Delaware Nature Society
Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Habitat For Humanity of New Castle County
Harrington Senior Center
Humane Animal Partners, Delaware
Jameil Aikeem Congo Cares
M.O.T. Senior Center
Meals on Wheels Delaware
New Castle Senior Center
Strive: How You Lead Matters
Westside Family Healthcare YWCA Delaware