Charity and Nonprofit Offices Across Delaware's Three Counties

Delaware has only three counties, yet its nonprofit scene is more varied than the map suggests. Our directory lists 40 charity and nonprofit offices in the state. They range from hospital foundations in Dover and Lewes to a senior center in Wilmington and a community action agency in Georgetown. This page explains how they fit together, who oversees them, and how to reach the right one without wasting a trip.

A quick note on scope. The listings mix direct-service charities, grant-making foundations, health and professional societies, and trade groups that hold nonprofit status. The Delaware Bankers Association and the Delaware Contractors Association, for example, are membership organizations rather than food pantries or shelters. Knowing which type you need saves time on the phone.

Who Regulates Charities and Nonprofits in Delaware

No single Delaware agency runs every nonprofit. Several bodies each handle one piece of the job, and it helps to know which is which before you ask a question.

Being a nonprofit corporation in Delaware does not by itself make gifts tax deductible for donors. The IRS determination letter does that. If you plan to give a large gift, ask for the letter or check the IRS database yourself. It takes a few minutes.

Transparency is built into the federal side. Most tax-exempt organizations with larger budgets file a Form 990 each year, and those returns are public. You can read how an organization spends its money, how many people it employs and what its leaders are paid. Smaller groups file a shorter notice. If a Delaware charity cannot or will not share its latest return, treat that as a warning sign.

Wilmington and New Castle County: Where Most Delaware Listings Cluster

About 28 of our 40 listings sit in New Castle County, and Wilmington alone accounts for half the statewide total. That fits the geography. The northern county holds the largest share of Delaware's population and has the densest road and rail connections, including I-95 and the Amtrak station in Wilmington.

Wilmington listings show how broad the category is. Claymore Senior Center at 504 South Clayton Street (302-428-3170) serves older adults. Project Stay Free at 2223 North Market Street (302-652-4210) and the Urban Environmental Center at 1500 North Walnut Street (302-658-9832) are community-focused groups, so call to ask what each one offers. The YMCA at 3 Mount Lebanon Road (302-478-9622) is a nationally known name, and the branch can tell you which programs it runs. The Delaware Association of Police is at 2201 Lancaster Avenue (302-652-9665), and the American Society of Cytopathology is at 100 West 10th Street (302-543-6583).

Because the Wilmington cluster is large, it helps to sort by purpose before you call. Health and aging groups include the Claymore Senior Center and the American Cancer Society office at 92 Reads Way in New Castle (302-324-4227). Professional bodies include the Delaware Association of Police and the American Society of Cytopathology. Smaller foundations such as Vested 4 Charity and the Millcreek Foundation are best approached by phone first, since their names alone do not tell you whether they give grants or run programs.

Elsewhere in the county, Newark has the Delaware Contractors Association (527 Stanton Christiana Road, 302-994-7442), the International Reading Association (800 Barksdale Road, 302-731-1600) and the Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation (11 Independence Way, 302-368-8944). Hockessin has the Millcreek Foundation at 3713 Millcreek Road (302-239-3811) and the Center For The Creative Arts at 410 Upper Snuff Mill Row (302-239-2434). Middletown, in the southern part of the county, is home to Cheer For Charity at 74 Cantwell Drive (302-528-3474).

Dover and Kent County: Capital-City Nonprofits and Trade Groups

Dover is the state capital, and its listings reflect that. In Kent County you will find the Bayhealth Foundation at 640 South State Street (302-744-7015), which supports the Bayhealth hospital system. Downtown Dover has the Greater Dover Committee at 101 Loockerman Street (302-734-2513) and the Delaware Bankers Association at 8 Loockerman Street (302-678-8600). Reel Expectations Foundation is at 173 Meadow Ridge Parkway (302-736-0284). Smyrna adds the Krysti Bingham Cerebral Palsy Foundation at 5577 Dupont Parkway (302-653-6559).

Kent County has six listings, but they cover hospital fundraising, business advocacy, civic development and disability support. That mix is typical of a capital city, where trade groups and civic committees sit close to state government. Legislative Hall and the Division of Corporations are also in Dover, so founders and advocates can combine nonprofit visits with state business in one trip.

Sussex County and Lower Delaware: Fewer Offices, Longer Drives

Sussex County has six listings spread across towns that sit far apart. In Georgetown, the county seat, you will find First State Community Action Agency at 308 North Railroad Avenue (302-856-7761) and the Delaware Community Foundation office at 36 The Circle (302-856-4393). Milford has the Urology Nursing Society at 10 Concord Road (302-424-2211) and Scouting For A Cure Foundation at 7836 Sugar Maple Drive (302-422-8425). Lewes has the Beebe Medical Foundation at 902 Savannah Road (302-644-2900). Milton has Catholic Charities at 127 Broad Street (302-684-8694).

Community action agencies are a federally backed network found in every state, and in lower Delaware First State Community Action Agency is the best-known local example. The Delaware Community Foundation's Georgetown office also gives southern donors a local contact for charitable giving, so they do not need to drive to Wilmington.

Rural distances matter here. A resident of western Sussex may drive 30 minutes or more to reach an office. Phone first, ask about hours, and confirm whether the address is an administrative office or a place that serves walk-ins.

Before You Call or Visit a Delaware Nonprofit Office

A little preparation makes most visits shorter. Use this checklist.

Hours vary, and smaller groups often rely on volunteers. Leave a clear voicemail with your name, number and a short description of what you need.

Nonprofit organizations operating in Delaware must register with the state attorney general's charitable trust section and comply with state solicitation licensing requirements in addition to meeting federal IRS requirements for tax-exempt status. Delaware's charity registration process helps protect residents from fraudulent fundraising operations.

Charity Nonprofit locations are available in 11 cities across Delaware. They are spread across 3 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Wilmington, Dover, Newark, which typically host large concentrations of nonprofits serving regional populations across health, human services, education, and arts sectors.

Donors in Delaware can verify that a charity is properly registered with the state by contacting the Delaware Attorney General's office or searching the state's online charity registration database before making a contribution.

Charity Nonprofit by Counties

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Nonprofits seeking grant funding in Delaware should explore state-level grant programs administered through the Delaware Department of Health, Department of Education, or community services block grant programs. Many Delaware foundations also fund local nonprofits through competitive grant cycles that typically open annually.

Browse Charity Nonprofit by county across Delaware to find the nearest location.

Matching Your Need to the Right Delaware Office

Delaware is small enough that one phone call often leads to the right office. Start with the type of help you want, then pick the county. For hospital fundraising or patient support, look at the Bayhealth Foundation in Dover or the Beebe Medical Foundation in Lewes. For community grants and donor-advised giving, the Delaware Community Foundation lists its Georgetown office at 36 The Circle. For anti-poverty services in the southern part of the state, First State Community Action Agency in Georgetown is a sensible first call.

In the north, New Castle County offers the widest choice, including the American Cancer Society office near New Castle and the Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation in Newark. Dover and Kent County suit people who need nonprofits and state agencies in one trip. Lower Delaware, covered by Sussex County, has fewer offices, so a call before you drive is worth the five minutes.

County lines matter less here than in larger states. Many organizations serve people statewide even when their office is in one town. Ask each group about its service area before assuming you must live nearby.

Delaware Charity and Nonprofit FAQs

Start with the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, which confirms federal status and links to recent Form 990 filings. Next, look the organization up in the Delaware Division of Corporations entity records to see whether it exists and is in good standing. If a caller pressures you for an immediate gift, hang up and phone the number listed for the organization, such as those on this page. You can report misleading solicitations to the Delaware Department of Justice consumer protection staff. Avoid paying by gift card or wire transfer, because those payments are very hard to recover.

Most founders file a certificate of incorporation for a nonstock corporation with the Delaware Division of Corporations, which is based in Dover. You will need a registered agent with a Delaware address, a name that is not already taken, and a board of directors. After incorporating, get an EIN from the IRS and apply for 501(c)(3) recognition using Form 1023 or, if you qualify, the shorter Form 1023-EZ. Also ask the Division of Revenue whether your activity needs a business license or a gross receipts tax exemption. Fees and timelines change, so confirm current amounts on the state website before you submit.

New Castle County has the most, with 28 of the 40 listings in our database. Kent County and Sussex County have six each. The split follows population, since the northern county is the most densely settled part of Delaware. It does not mean southern residents lack options. First State Community Action Agency and the Delaware Community Foundation in Georgetown, Catholic Charities in Milton and the Beebe Medical Foundation in Lewes all have Sussex County addresses. Many groups also serve people beyond their home town, so ask about the service area when you call.

Generally yes, if the recipient is a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS and you itemize deductions on your federal return. Check the IRS search first. Trade groups such as the Delaware Bankers Association or the Delaware Contractors Association may be organized under a different part of the tax code, and dues paid to them are usually not charitable gifts. Do not assume; confirm with the organization. Keep the written acknowledgment for any single gift of $250 or more. For questions about Delaware income tax, ask a tax professional or the Division of Revenue.

Dial 2-1-1 to reach the health and human services referral line, which connects callers with local help for needs such as food, housing and utilities. You can also phone a broad community organization directly. First State Community Action Agency in Georgetown (302-856-7761) and Catholic Charities in Milton (302-684-8694) are reasonable starting points in Sussex County, and Claymore Senior Center in Wilmington (302-428-3170) is a starting point for older adults in the north. Describe your situation briefly, and ask who else they would suggest if they cannot help you themselves.

A hospital foundation raises money for a health system rather than treating patients itself. The Bayhealth Foundation in Dover (302-744-7015) and the Beebe Medical Foundation in Lewes (302-644-2900) are examples. Their offices typically accept gifts, handle memorial and tribute donations, and answer questions about giving. If you need help with a medical bill, contact the hospital's billing or financial assistance office first. Nonprofit hospitals must maintain a financial assistance policy under federal tax rules, and staff can explain how to apply. A foundation can still tell you how to volunteer or honor a loved one.