Open annual funding cycle. Crestlea Foundation supports qualified nonprofit organizations serving Delaware and nearby southeastern Chester County, Pennsylvania, with priority given to New Castle County, Delaware. Crestlea identifies health care among its charitable fields and accepts requests for capital, program, or operating expenses.
Deadline and funding
Crestlea states that applications are due January 15, 2027 at midnight. Its current public guidance does not state a time zone, so Atlas does not invent one. Organizations should complete Crestlea’s required preapplication meeting process well before the deadline.
Crestlea reports an average grant size of $15,000. Its current public application guidance does not state a universal maximum request amount. The foundation favors needs where its funding can materially close a gap and says it does not prioritize large organizations with steady funding or major capital projects where a typical Crestlea award would have minimal impact.
Eligibility and geographic priorities
Applicants must hold current 501(c)(3) status and be in good standing with the IRS. Crestlea’s geographic priorities are: first, New Castle County, Delaware; second, Pennsylvania organizations within roughly five miles of Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, or Chadds Ford; and third, Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware.
Crestlea currently states that it is not accepting applications from new organizations in Kent and Sussex Counties unless Crestlea has communicated with them previously. New Castle County remains the strongest Delaware priority area.
Organizations must meet with Crestlea by Zoom or in person before applying. If the organization is a fit, Crestlea provides an access code for its online application system. Meeting requests made within 10 days of the application deadline are not guaranteed to receive a meeting in time.
Funding priorities and restrictions
Crestlea gives particular consideration to children, significant unfunded needs, and smaller funding gaps that other funders may overlook. The foundation says it is not an incubator for early stage organizations and will not accept organizations that have not first applied to other local foundations.
Current public restrictions include political or lobbying activity, religious institutions such as churches, synagogues, and temples, fundraising events, advertising or souvenir journals, individual needs including scholarships, sponsorships, or aid, pass through grants, investment funds, individual or group travel, and books, magazines, or professional journals.
Crestlea’s current public eligibility and application pages do not state a mandatory applicant match or cost share requirement.
Prior grantee timing rules
Crestlea states that organizations may not receive grants in consecutive years. An organization may receive two grants with a skipped cycle between them, after which it must wait two full grant cycles before applying again. Organizations that were declined may generally reapply in the next cycle unless Crestlea advises otherwise.
Submission process
Prospective applicants should contact info@crestlea.org to schedule the required meeting. Qualified organizations receive an access code and submit through Crestlea’s online application system.
Atlas strategy
Atlas Opportunity Score: 86/100. This is a credible Delaware nonprofit funding source with health care eligibility, flexible capital, program, and operating support, and a strong New Castle County preference.
N9+ Fit Score: 60/100, conditional. A legitimate role for the Nonagon N9+ device and platform could exist only where an eligible nonprofit has a modest, clearly justified health care program or capital need and Crestlea confirms the proposed expense is acceptable. The foundation does not expressly prioritize digital health or medical technology, so Atlas does not force device fit.
QC Healthcare Fit: 45/100, conditional. A services role would require an eligible nonprofit project, allowable contracted costs, and a substantive program need. Direct Dr. Miltie applicant fit: 0/100 because Crestlea requires applicant organizations to hold current 501(c)(3) status.
Official application guidance: Crestlea Foundation application process.
Official eligibility guidance: Crestlea Foundation eligibility requirements.