Contact
Write to us
Messages go directly to the people who make grant decisions at the 21st Century Fund for Delaware's Children. There is no call centre and no automated triage. We aim to reply within five business days.
Send a message
Every field marked required is one we need in order to reply.
What happens next
Your message is read by a person, not sorted by software. If your request concerns a child with a deadline, say so in the first line and we will prioritise it.
We may write back with a question before we can decide — usually about the exact cost, or who we should pay. Answering that quickly is the single biggest thing that speeds up a grant.
If we can help, we pay the provider directly wherever possible: the league, the school, the camp, the music teacher. Nobody has to front the money and wait to be reimbursed.
If we cannot help, we will say so plainly and, where we can, name another organisation better placed to. A clear no arrives faster than a maybe and leaves you time to try elsewhere.
If the deadline is close
Put the date in the subject line and in your first sentence. We would much rather receive an incomplete message three weeks before a registration closes than a thorough one the day after. Missing details can be filled in; a passed deadline cannot.
Reach us directly
Prefer email?
Write to mary@21childrensfund.org. It reaches exactly the same place as this form.
The fund does not currently operate a public phone line, so email is the fastest way to reach us.
Who writes to us, and about what
Caseworkers and program staff
Requests on behalf of a child you work with. This is most of our correspondence.
Teachers and counsellors
A student who is about to miss a trip, a season, or a milestone at school.
Agencies and community programs
Setting up a working relationship so your staff know how and when to ask.
Supporters
Questions about giving, our registration, or our most recent Form 990.
If you are a parent or carer, you are welcome to write to us. We will normally point you toward the agency or program best placed to make the request, since our grants are made through the adults already working with a child.