The Foundation for Delaware County
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION FOR DELAWARE COUNTY IS TO ENSURE AN EQUITABLE, VIBRANT FUTURE FOR DELAWARE COUNTY BY PROMOTING GENEROSITY, INSPIRING PARTICIPATION AND PARTNERSHIP ACROSS OUR COMMUNITIES, AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL. ONE OF OVER 700 COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE LARGEST PHILANTHROPY IN DELAWARE COUNTY, WE FULFILL OUR MISSION BY INVESTING IN NON-PROFITS WHOSE PROGRAMS ADVANCE OUR AIMS AND ENRICH LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF DELAWARE COUNTY; PROMOTING AND FACILITATING PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT WITH REAL IMPACT; DELIVERING VITAL SERVICESPROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY, RESULTS-BASED PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS TO COUNTY RESIDENTS IN NEED; AND SERVING AS A POSITIVE FORCE IN THE COMMUNITY, A CONVENER AND PROBLEM-SOLVER, DRAWING PARTNERS OF MANY KINDS INTO EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION.
- Income
- $14.8 million
- Spending
- $36.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 17.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 47%
- Employees
- 91
- Volunteers
- 34
- Highest pay
- $275,220, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.6 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 33% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 144% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $2.1 million spent. GRANTMAKING: THE FOUNDATION FOR DELAWARE COUNTY, THE LARGEST CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION IN DELAWARE COUNTY, CONTINUED ITS ANNUAL COMPETITIVE IMPACT GRANTS PROGRAM, INFUSING THE DELAWARE COUNTY NONPROFIT COMMUNITY WITH VALUABLE NEW FINANCIAL RESOURCES TOTALING $1,272,000. THE 47 GRANTS WERE AWARDED ACROSS 5 PRIORITY AREAS THAT ALIGN WITH THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION AND ADDRESS CRITICAL NEEDS FACED BY DELAWARE COUNTY'S RESIDENTS. THE PRIORITIES AND NUMBER OF GRANTS AWARDED IN EACH AREA INCLUDED: 1.) COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (6 GRANTS); 2.) HEALTH (16 GRANTS); 3.) HOUSING (5 GRANTS); 4.) YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (16); 5.) SERVICES FOR CANCER SURVIVORS (4 GRANTS). GRANTS RANGED IN SIZE FROM $2,500 TO $65,000. THESE GRANTS ARE A KEY ELEMENT OF THE FOUNDATION FOR DELAWARE COUNTY'S MISSION AND DEMONSTRATE HOW COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEY TO MOVING DELAWARE COUNTY FORWARD. BY FUNDING A BROAD RANGE OF STRONG DELAWARE COUNTY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, THESE GRANTS ARE ACHIEVING POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR DELAWARE COUNTY'S CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS. THE FOUNDATION REMAINS DEVASTATED THAT, DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF MANY PARTNERS, A DEAL COULD NOT BE REACHED TO SAVE THE CROZER HEALTH SYSTEM. HEALTHCARE IN OUR COMMUNITY IS IN CRISIS, AND WE REMAIN UNWAVERING IN OUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE, PARTICULARLY IN OUR MOST ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED COMMUNITIES. AS PART OF OUR ONGOING FIGHT TO PROTECT ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES, THE FOUNDATION FOR DELAWARE COUNTY INVESTED A $20 MILLION LIFELINE TO KEEP HOSPITALS OPEN DURING NEGOTIATIONS. THE ABOVE GRANTS SUPPLEMENT $852,357 IN DONOR ADVISED FUND CONTRIBUTIONS, NON-PROFIT EVENT SPONSORSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND CHARITABLE CARE, FOR A TOTAL OF $22,124,357 AWARDED IN DELAWARE COUNTY IN ONE YEAR AS SHOWN IN SCHEDULE I.
- $29.3 million spent. INTERNAL PROGRAMS: THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS IN DELAWARE COUNTY SAVE LIVES AND IMPROVE THE FUTURES OF RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY. OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE REGIONAL LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS. THEY ADDRESS SUCH CRITICAL PROBLEMS AS HIGH RATES OF INFANT MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY, LOW BIRTH WEIGHT, FOOD INSECURITY, STABLE HOUSING AND THE SUCCESS OF TEENS. THESE PROGRAMS WORK TOGETHER AND COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER FOR GREATER IMPACT. OF PARTICULAR NOTE ARE FOUR MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMS THAT SERVE MORE THAN 10,000 DELAWARE COUNTY RESIDENTS EACH YEAR:HEALTHY START AND NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP ARE HOME VISITING PROGRAMS THAT PARTNER PREGNANT WOMEN, NEW MOTHERS AND YOUNG FAMILIES WITH CASE MANAGERS AND VISITING NURSES WHO FOCUS ON HELPING WOMEN HAVE HEALTHY PREGNANCIES AND ENSURING FAMILIES ACCESS HEALTH CARE, CONNECT TO NEEDED COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND BENEFITS, AND LEARN AND BUILD PARENTING SKILLS TO GET THE BEST START IN LIFE. THESE PROGRAMS ARE DRIVING DOWN THE INORDINATELY HIGH AND RACIALLY DISPARATE INFANT MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY, AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT RATES IN OUR COUNTY'S POORER COMMUNITIES. RECENT RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT SEVERAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO POOR BIRTH OUTCOMES. THESE INCLUDE WHERE A WOMAN LIVES, ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND TRAUMA, AND PRECONCEPTION CARE. BLACK WOMEN WITH LESS THAN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ARE PARTICULARLY AT RISK.SEVERAL UNIQUE COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAMS ARE LEADING TO IMPROVED OUTCOMES. WIDENER UNIVERSITY DELAWARE LAW SCHOOL MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP: THIS IS A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HEALTHY START/NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AND WIDENER UNIVERSITY DELAWARE LAW SCHOOL. IT PROVIDES DIRECT CIVIL LEGAL REPRESENTATION, SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY AND TRAINING TO SUPPORT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY. EL CENTRO CENTER FOR HISPANIC RESOURCES: THE CENTER IS A "ONE-STOP-SHOP" THAT CONNECTS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH A RANGE OF SERVICES. AMONG THESE ARE CASE MANAGEMENT, TRANSLATION, APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING, HEALTH EDUCATION, ASSISTANCE WITH APPLICATIONS AND AGENCY REFERRALS. DOULA PROGRAM: HEALTHY START OFFERS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS BIRTH DOULAS TO HELP MITIGATE DISPARITIES AND REDUCE MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY. BIRTH DOULAS WORK WITH FAMILIES PRENATALLY, DURING LABOR, AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER BIRTH PROVIDING EDUCATION, AND EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL SUPPORT. MOVING BEYOND DEPRESSION: THIS IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED, IN-HOME TREATMENT FOR CLIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER. NURSES AND CASE MANAGERS SCREEN CLIENTS FOR DEPRESSION DURING THE INTAKE PERIOD AND THROUGHOUT ENROLLMENT IN NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AND HEALTHY START. FATHERHOOD PROGRAM: INCLUDES CASUAL GATHERINGS, SUPPORT GROUPS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, AND ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS WITH THE FOUNDATION'S FATHERHOOD COORDINATOR. FATHERS ARE ASSESSED FOR SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, REFERRED TO APPROPRIATE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THEIR NEEDS, AND LEARN WHAT DADS EXPERIENCE DURING THE PREGNANCY PROCESS THROUGH THE CHILD'S BIRTH AND AFTER THE BABY IS BORN. THE FOUNDATION OFFERS THE NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP (NFP) BECAUSE OVER THREE DECADES OF RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IT WORKS. IN AT LEAST ONE OF NFP'S RANDOMIZED RESEARCH TRIALS, THE FOLLOWING RESULTS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED: 48 PERCENT REDUCTION IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT; 56 PERCENT REDUCTION IN EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS FOR ACCIDENTS AND POISONINGS; 67 PERCENT REDUCTION IN BEHAVIORAL AND INTELLECTUAL PROBLEMS BY AGE 6.NFP ALSO SAVES MONEY. A STUDY BY THE RAND CORPORATION FOUND THAT $5.70 IS RETURNED TO A COMMUNITY FOR EVERY DOLLAR IT INVESTS IN THE PROGRAM.THE THIRD PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION'S WOMEN'S, INFANTS', AND CHILDREN'S SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION (WIC) PROGRAM PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS FOODS AND ENCOURAGES BREASTFEEDING TO OVER 9,500 LOW-INCOME WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN UP TO THE AGE OF 5 EACH YEAR IN DELAWARE COUNTY. NATIONWIDE, THE PROGRAM HAS DECREASED THE PERCENTAGE OF LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AGES 2-4 WITH OBESITY BY 9%, PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING CRITICAL SERVICES: ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOODS NUTRITION COUNSELING BREASTFEEDING INFORMATION AND SUPPORT HEALTH AND NUTRITION SCREENINGS REFERRALS TO HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ACCESS TO THE FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM (FMNP)THE FOURTH PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION'S HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM FOR EQUITY (HOPE), PROMOTES HOUSING FAIRNESS, AFFORDABILITY, AND STABILITY THROUGH TARGETED SERVICES. PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE ADVOCACY RELATED TO HOUSING ISSUES, CASE MANAGEMENT, HOME PLACEMENT, TENANT RIGHTS EDUCATION, FINANCIAL LITERACY, REFERRAL SERVICES, AND DIRECT FINANCIAL RELIEF. HOPE ADVOCATES FOR EQUITABLE HOUSING. SAFE AND HABITABLE HOUSING PROMOTES GOOD HEALTH, INCREASES OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT, DECREASES POVERTY CONCENTRATIONS, AND BREAKS DOWN GEOGRAPHIC RACIAL DIVIDES.
- THE FOUNDATION'S CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE BUILDS STRONG AND PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH DELAWARE COUNTY NONPROFITS AND ADDRESSES THEIR CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS. THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CENTER: - PEER LEARNING CIRCLES: THE GOAL OF THESE CIRCLES IS TO RESPOND TO THE NEED OF DELAWARE COUNTY NONPROFIT LEADERS AND TO ENHANCE COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION ACROSS THE SOCIAL GOOD SECTOR. THE CIRCLES PROVIDE NONPROFIT LEADERS IN DELAWARE COUNTY WITH AN OPEN SPACE FOR REFLECTIVE LEARNING, PROBLEM-SOLVING, PEER SUPPORT, AND INDIVIDUAL GROWTH, WITH GUIDANCE FROM SEASONED CONSULTANTS AND SPEAKERS.- CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT: THE FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH THE NONPROFIT CENTER AT LASALLE UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF BUSINESS TO OFFER A NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM TO AREA NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS. PARTICIPANTS ATTEND 10 SIX-HOUR SESSIONS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE CERTIFICATION.- RACIAL EQUITY LEARNING COLLABORATIVE: IS A GROUP OF NONPROFIT LEADERS WHO COLLABORATE, LEARN AND TAKE ACTION TOWARD ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY. MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, AND DISCUSSIONS TO INCREASE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF RACIAL INEQUITIES WITHIN THEIR ORGANIZATION AND HOW THOSE INEQUITIES IMPACT THE POPULATION THEY SERVE.- THE FOUNDATION ALSO OFFERS ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS IN THE COUNTY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1985.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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