$6.3 Million Awarded to Over 500 Delco Businesses and Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19

Released: October 21, 2020

Round # 2 of Delco Strong grants distributed to assist local businesses and non-profit organizations

The final distribution of Delco Strong 2 grants has been awarded to Delaware County business owners and non-profit organizations financially impacted by COVID-19.

The Delco Strong 2 program, administered by the Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board and The Foundation for Delaware County provided $6.3 million in grants to 535 businesses and non-profit organizations in Delaware County. The program was funded entirely by a grant awarded by Delaware County Council.

In June, Delaware County Council unanimously voted to authorize the use of CARES Act funds to further assist Delaware County businesses and non-profit organizations that suffered economic loss from business interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Modeled after the popular Delco Strong grant program offered in May, Delco Strong 2 also allowed non-profit organizations to apply for a grant.

“There is a critical need to support Delaware County’s local business and non-profit community during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Delaware County Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer. “We launched the Delco Strong Program in April and had an overwhelming response. We offered a second round to ensure that every business and non-profit that was eligible could apply. Our local business community is the backbone of our economy and our non-profits perform critical community services and it is vital that we do everything we can to help them get back on their feet.”

462 Delaware County businesses were awarded $4.3 in grants from the Delco Strong 2 Program.

73 Delaware County nonprofit organizations were awarded over $2 million in grants. Grant proceeds can be used for rent, mortgage, utilities, and inventory. Businesses were eligible for up to $20,000. Non-profits were eligible for up to $50,000.

"The Foundation for Delaware County is grateful to County Council for recognizing the essential nonprofits in Delaware County, many of which have seen demand for services triple while they manage with fewer volunteers and razor-thin margins,” said Frances Sheehan, President of The Foundation for Delaware County. “We knew that several of the recipients of the Delco Strong Nonprofit Fund would have trouble making it through the year’s end without Council’s support.”

Delaware County Council was the first county in the Southeast Region to offer COVID-19 response funding to non-profit organizations. The Foundation for Delaware County assisted in administering and evaluating the applicants for the program.

The first round of Delco Strong awarded approximately 790 grants with over $6 million in funding to business owners. Eligible applicants were able to apply for up to $7,500. The funding for Delco Strong 2 was increased. Businesses were eligible to receive up to $20,000. Grantees from Delco Strong 1 were eligible for “Delco Strong Boost” which awarded eligible applicants additional funds. 770 of the 790 applicants received Delco Strong Boost.

Many business owners have reached out to the County expressing gratitude for the assistance provided during the pandemic.

"I've been in business for over 20 years, and I couldn't have seen this coming,” said Sonya Crew, Director of Crew Kids Choice Daycare in Media. “The Delco Strong Program has allowed us to keep our doors open for the families of Delaware County. I hope the little ones in our care continue to feel our love. Together we'll get through these trying times."

A detailed breakdown of the Delco Strong Program can be found here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/d520d12db64d408cb1b4723efcd6b1bc/