The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) plans to award at least $250,000 in capital grants to nonprofit organizations in the First State this year.

The capital grants can be used to fund construction, major renovation or repair of buildings, purchase land or buy needed equipment. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $20,000. DCF has awarded 371 capital grants totaling $3.9 million.

Grant requests must be submitted on a DCF 2009 Capital Grant Application Form, which can be downloaded at www.delcf.org, and postmarked to the DCF no later than Jan. 30. Applications will be considered by the Grants Committee and funding recommendations will be passed to to Board of Directors in June, 2009. All applicants will be notified of the board's decision in writing.

Former capital grant recipients must wait for two grant cycles to complete before applying for another grant.

Agencies that receive grants from the DCF must serve residents of Delaware without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin or sexual orientation.

For more information, contact Beth Bouchelle at (302) 504-5239 or bbouchelle@delcf.org.