Crestlea Foundation 2027 Annual Grant Cycle is an open Delaware foundation opportunity for qualifying nonprofit organizations. Crestlea supports social services, education, health care, culture and the arts, environmental, housing, and civic organizations and accepts capital, program, and operating requests.
Deadline: Crestlea states that applications are due January 15, 2027 at midnight. The current public guidance does not state a time zone, and Atlas does not infer one. Because the phrase “January 15th at midnight” can be interpreted differently by systems and applicants, organizations should confirm the portal cutoff directly with Crestlea and submit early.
Funding: Crestlea says its average grant is approximately $15,000. That figure is an average, not a published maximum. No public per-applicant maximum was identified in the current guidance reviewed. No mandatory match or cost-share requirement is stated in the current public guidance.
Eligibility and geography: Applicants must have current IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status and be in good standing. Crestlea gives highest geographic priority to New Castle County, followed by eligible nearby Pennsylvania communities around Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, and Chadds Ford, then Kent and Sussex Counties. Crestlea currently states that it does not accept applications from new Kent or Sussex County organizations with which it has not previously communicated.
Required pre-application step: Before applying, an organization must contact info@crestlea.org and complete a Zoom or in-person meeting with Crestlea. If Crestlea determines the proposed project is an appropriate fit, it provides the access code for the online application. Crestlea cautions that it cannot guarantee meeting requests made within 10 days of the deadline.
Current priorities: Crestlea highlights organizations serving children, projects addressing the highest unfunded needs or small funding gaps, and organizations that have first applied to other local foundations. Current exclusions include political or lobbying activity, religious institutions, fundraising events, direct aid or scholarships to individuals, pass-through grants, investment funds, travel, and professional publications. Previously funded organizations generally must skip a full cycle before reapplying, with additional limits after two grants.
Atlas assessment: Opportunity Score 86/100. N9+ Fit 45/100 conditional; QC Healthcare Fit 25/100 conditional; direct Dr. Miltie applicant fit 0/100 under the current 501(c)(3) applicant requirement. A legitimate applicant-led health care project could potentially include the Nonagon N9+ device and platform only where the applicant has a verified need and Crestlea confirms the proposed project and costs are allowable. Crestlea does not specifically identify telehealth, remote physical examination, medical devices, or N9+ as priorities, so Atlas does not presume a technology fit.
Authoritative sources: Crestlea application guidance, Crestlea eligibility guidance, and Crestlea Foundation.