Georgetown Recreation, Education, and Arts Trust (GREAT) Fund

The Town of Georgetown is accepting applications for funding through the Fiscal Year 2026 Georgetown Recreation, Education, and Arts Trust (GREAT) Fund. The GREAT Funding Program was established by the Georgetown Town Council and is funded through a surcharge applied to building permits within the Town. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations that offer recreational, educational, and cultural programs that benefit residents of Georgetown and Sussex County, Delaware. According to the governing ordinance included in the application packet, the Town created the trust fund to support activities that contribute to the general public benefit and enhance community access to recreation, education, and the arts. The Town maintains oversight of the fund through a formal committee review and Town Council approval process. Funding through the GREAT program is intended to support specific programs, program materials, and activities directly related to recreation, education, and arts initiatives. Eligible projects must demonstrate a benefit to Georgetown and Sussex County residents. The application packet and ordinance specify that ineligible uses of funding include capital improvements, salaries, and fundraising activities. The ordinance further notes that excess or reverted funds may be used by the Town for public projects connected to recreation, education, or the arts, or for grant matching purposes on Town projects. Applicants are required to explain how funding will be used, identify other funding sources being considered or leveraged, and specify the amount requested. Organizations are also asked to prioritize their top three funding needs in the event that the full request cannot be funded. Eligibility for the GREAT Fund is limited to nonprofit organizations. The application packet states that all awarded funding must benefit Georgetown and Sussex County residents and must be used exclusively for secular, non-religious purposes. Organizations are required to certify that no discrimination based on race, color, or national origin will occur within funded programs or activities. The application form also confirms that all submitted materials become public records subject to the Delaware Freedom of Information Act. The Town reserves the right to require reimbursement if grant funds are used in violation of the program requirements. While the funding announcement does not specify a required nonprofit designation such as 501(c)(3), the ordinance repeatedly references nonprofit organizations providing public-benefit programming. The application process requires organizations to complete the Town's official GREAT Fund application form and submit it by the stated deadline. Applicants must provide organizational contact information, project details, requested funding amounts, and descriptions of how the funds will support recreation, education, or arts programming. The form also asks whether the organization applied for or received funding in the previous funding cycle and whether awarded funds will be leveraged with additional funding sources. Required submission elements include a description of the event or activity, detailed explanation of proposed use of funds, funding amount requested, and identification of the appropriate category for the request. The application materials are available through the Town of Georgetown website under News and Notices or Important Notices. For the FY 2026 funding cycle, approximately $115,000 is available for distribution. The Town announced that applications must be submitted on or before Friday, May 29, 2026, at 4:30 PM. Following submission, applications are reviewed by the GREAT Fund Committee, which consists of up to five members including Town Council representatives, the Town Manager or designee, and members of the public representing relevant program interests. The committee reviews applications and submits award recommendations to the Town Council for final approval. The ordinance establishes additional timeline requirements after awards are made. Formal notices of award and distribution of funds are expected to occur before July 31. Organizations receiving funding are later required to submit a presentation to the Town Council during the December Town Council meeting describing how the awarded funds were used. The ordinance also allows consideration of reimbursement requests for qualifying expenses previously incurred under special or unanticipated circumstances if an advance request could not reasonably have been submitted during the eligible application period. Interested applicants seeking additional information are directed to contact the Town Offices by phone at (302) 856-7391. The official application packet for the FY 2026 GREAT Fund is publicly available through the Town of Georgetown website.

Clearly demonstrate how the proposed program directly benefits Georgetown and Sussex County residents and ensure all requested expenses are program-related rather than operational or capital expenses.