These 12 nonprofits are getting grant money to address flooding, environmental concerns

Amanda Fries, Delaware News Journal
·2 min read

Twelve local nonprofits were collectively awarded over $90,000 in funding to support nature preservation, safer parks and enhanced resiliency by Delmarva Power and Delaware Nature Society this year.

The recipients of the 2023 Sustainable Communities Grants Program were awarded the funds to build green infrastructure to address flood-prone areas, provide resources and disaster emergency kits to impacted residents, expand pollinator gardens, and improve stormwater management systems.

The Brandywine is heavily flooded due to the heavy rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021.
The Brandywine is heavily flooded due to the heavy rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021.

Here are the nonprofits that received funding:

  • $25,000 to the Southbridge Community Development Corporation to install rain gardens.

  • $17,250 to the Delaware Resiliency Hub to provide safe and reliable shelter for residents, along with resources, during times of extreme weather.

  • $8,700 to the Cape Shores Homeowners Association to install solar panels in the community to offset energy use.

  • $7,500 to the Delaware Wild Lands to restore 84 acres of coastal plain seasonal ponds and forest in New Castle County.

  • $7,500 to Green Building United to provide resources and emergency kits to residents in flood-prone areas of Wilmington.

  • $5,000 to Delaware Center for Horticulture to expand an existing pollinator habitat.

  • $5,000 to SNAC to develop a pollinator habitat to support a garden-based environmental curriculum in Sussex County.

  • $3,644 to Skyline Middle School to beautify and enhance the existing pollinator garden.

  • $2,500 to the Friends of Wilmington Parks to support natural habitat restoration at Brandywine Park.

  • $1,500 to the Wilmington Friends Meeting to enhance the environmental space at the property.

  • $1,000 to the Delaware Native Plant Society to help restore a stormwater retention basin and convert it into a wildlife pond.

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Why the grants program exists

“We are thrilled to support these organizations as they continue to make positive change to our environment and local communities,” said Marcus Beal, senior manager of Governmental, Regulatory and External Affairs for Delmarva Power, in a news release.

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The power company launched the grant program in 2020, with Sustainable Jersey providing the grants to local communities. Since its inception, the program has provided nearly $275,000 in grants to support environmental, open space and resiliency efforts.

Ophelia's diminished tropical storm winds and rains whipped ocean waves causing flooding in some areas of Dewey Beach. These images were taken about an hour before high tide on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Ophelia's diminished tropical storm winds and rains whipped ocean waves causing flooding in some areas of Dewey Beach. These images were taken about an hour before high tide on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Jennifer Adkins, executive director of the Delaware Nature Society, said the organization was happy to partner with Delmarva Power on the program.

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“We are excited about the variety and depth of work being done by the grant recipients and look forward to seeing their collective impact improve our natural areas,” she said in the release.

Learn more about the program on Delmarva Power’s website.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware nonprofits get $90K to tackle flooding, green infrastructure