Delaware lawmakers cap budget work with passage of record grants package for local organizations

DOVER, Del. (AP) — Delaware lawmakers on Sunday unanimously approved a record-shattering $98.5 million grants package for community organizations, nonprofit groups and volunteer fire companies for the fiscal year starting Monday.

The election-year “grant-in-aid” package is well above this year’s record $72 million and the $66.5 million recommended by Democratic Gov. John Carney. It includes funding for almost 50 nonprofit agencies and community organizations not included in the fiscal 2024 grants legislation.

“This year, we were fortunate to fund and invest in these critical organizations at a historic level, extending their reach and ensuring they can continue the vital work they do day in and day out on behalf of Delawareans,” said Rep. Kim Williams, a Wilmington-area Democrat who co-chairs the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee.

Passage of the bill caps the legislature’s work on budget measures for fiscal 2025.

Lawmakers previously approved a $6.13 billion general fund operating budget for the new fiscal year, an increase of more than 9% from this year’s operating budget. The new operating budget includes $2.1 billion for public education, up from $1.98 billion. Spending by the Department of Health and Social Services increases from just under $1.5 billion to $1.63 billion.

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