FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | July 1, 2026
ontact: Joe Edelen (302) 743-7013
DOVER – In the early hours of July 1, the Senate approved the $99.4 million Fiscal Year 2027 Grants-in-Aid bill, securing critical funding to support the operation of senior centers, nonprofit organizations, fire companies, and veterans organizations throughout the First State.
Crafted by the bipartisan Joint Finance Committee, the annual Grants-in-Aid package provides funding to countless organizations and community groups that provide invaluable services to the State of Delaware and its residents.
“This year’s Grants-in-Aid package reflects our continued commitment to support the organizations that are there for Delawareans every step of the way. That includes substantial investments in our senior centers, fire service companies, and veteran organizations,” said Senator Trey Paradee, Chair of the Joint Finance Committee. “This funding will help so many of our neighbors, from those seeking housing assistance to those receiving meals from our food banks – especially at a time when so many of our neighbors are financially constrained. Thank you to my colleagues on the Joint Finance Committee for reaching a consensus on this essential spending package that will help Delawareans in all three counties of our State.”
The FY27 Grants-in-Aid bill allocates $33.2 million to 317 nonprofit organizations throughout Delaware supporting health and disability services, family and youth programs, financial and housing assistance, historical preservation, and the arts.
Further, epilogue language contained in the Grants-in-Aid bill authorizes the use of $1.4 million in prior year funding for the Double Up Food Bucks program, which will improve access and nutrition for recipients of the SNAP and WIC programs.
“It has been a hard year for Delawareans, and the FY27 Grant-In-Aid appropriation reflects that. $99 million will be disbursed statewide to bolster wrap-around services for our state’s most vulnerable. That includes funding for emergency service operations, veterans organizations, senior centers, and non-profits serving a wide-range of Delawareans,” said Representative Kim Williams, Vice-Chair of the Joint Finance Committee. “The cost of living is very high right now, and far too many residents are being forced to make impossible decisions. It is my hope that this financial package provides much-needed relief to those in need.”
Notable items in the FY27 Grants-in-Aid package include:
Statewide Emergency Service Supports
- Over $22 million for ongoing paramedic operations in all three counties.
- $15.5 million in statewide fire and ambulance company support to ensure the maintenance and operation of trucks, ambulances, and rescue boats (a 17% increase above last year).
- $3.2 million to provide a one-time allocation of $50,000 each to statewide fire companies and public service ambulances (64 companies in total).
Senior Centers & Veterans Organizations
- Includes over $13.4 million in funding for operations for senior centers and organizations to provide services for senior citizens, including transportation needs for the Kent and Sussex County senior centers.
- Includes $985,000 for veterans’ organizations in all three counties (a 17% increase above last year).
Additional Allocations
- $4.2 million in the County Seat Package for Dover, Wilmington, and Georgetown, which host state-owned buildings.
- $2.5 million for law enforcement support, including Local Police Coordination, Aid to Local Law Enforcement, and the Higher Education Public Safety Fund.
- $1 million in one-time supplemental emergency transitional housing assistance through the Department of Health and Social Services.
SB 337 passed at 4:15am, following passage of the Bond Bill (House Bill 500) which passed the Senate just after 4 a.m.
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