American Lung Association in Delaware Announces $409,000 in Grant Awards for 2025-2026 Delaware Division of Public Health Tobacco Prevention Mini-Grant Program Recipients

The American Lung Association in Delaware announces $409,000 in total grants awarded among 23 recipients of the Delaware Division of Public Health Mini-Grants for 2025-2026.  

Designed to help communities create tailored programs focused on smoking prevention, education and cessation, the mini-grant programs will educate more than 10,000 Delawareans annually about the dangers of tobacco use.

A diverse panel of community leaders selected the 23 agencies to receive this year’s funding. The American Lung Association in Delaware manages the mini-grant program, made possible by the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention Community Contract, supported by the Delaware Health Fund.

Each recipient was required to address the goals and objectives of “A Plan for A Tobacco-free Delaware.”

The goals for “A Plan for A Tobacco-free Delaware” include:
•    Prevent the initiation and use of tobacco and emerging products among Delawareans.
•    Increase quitting and quit attempts among Delawareans who use tobacco products.
•    Eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke, vapors and other emissions.
•    Advance health equity by identifying and eliminating inequities and disparities related to commercial tobacco products.
•    Strengthen and cultivate Delaware’s leadership, and build partnerships and connections at all levels of comprehensive tobacco prevention and control.

Mini-grant recipients are required to submit bi-monthly activity and budget reporting and attend two out of three “Technical Training Workshops.”
The 2025-2026 mini-grant recipients are: 
1.    Bayhealth Foundation, Sussex County
2.    Caravel Academy, New Castle County
3.    Center for Structural Equity, New Castle County
4.    Claymont Community Center, New Castle County 
5.    Delaware Parents Association, Inc., Kent County
6.    Delaware State University, Kent County
7.    First State Community Action Agency, Sussex County
8.    Gloves Against Drugs Foundation, New Castle County
9.    Greater Dover Boys & Girls Club of DE, Kent County 
10.    Greater Milford Boys & Girls Club of DE, Sussex County
11.    Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club of DE, New Castle County
12.    H. Fletcher Brown Boys & Girls Club, New Castle County
13.    Inner City Cultural League, Kent County
14.    Lake Forest High School, Kent County
15.    Latin American Community Center, New Castle County
16.    Laurel Public Library, Sussex County
17.    Mental Health Association, New Castle County 
18.    Nemours Children’s Hospital, Statewide
19.    Oak Orchard Boys and Girls Club, Sussex County
20.    Police Athletic League of Wilmington, New Castle County
21.    Rose Hill Community Center, New Castle County
22.    Southern New Castle County Communities Coalition, New Castle County
23.    University of Delaware 4-H, Statewide

Delaware Division of Public Health Tobacco Prevention Resource Kits for 2025-2026: 

Three additional recipients will receive the Delaware Division of Public Health Tobacco Prevention Resource Kits for 2025-2026. Resource kits are provided to enhance existing tobacco prevention and education resource centers available to schools, community groups, and businesses through the purchase of tobacco education materials. Materials include brochures, videos, CD-ROMS, curricula, displays, journals and books. Resource kits are designed to educate Delaware’s communities about the damaging effects of tobacco use. Recipients can add these materials to their libraries of health information for use at fairs, educational presentations and seminars.

Agencies applying for tobacco prevention mini-grant funding are considered for resource kit awards. Three agencies were selected by a diverse team of community leaders to receive the materials. The Resource Kits are made possible by the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention Community Contract, supported by the Delaware Health Fund and managed by the American Lung Association in Delaware.

The 2025-2026 Resource Kit recipients are: 
1.    Phoenix Family Resources, New Castle County
2.    Polytech Practical Nursing Program, Kent County
3.    Warrior Training Project, New Castle County

For media interested in speaking with an expert about lung health, tobacco and tobacco product use and tobacco policies, contact Valerie Gleason, Sr. Communications Director, Eastern Division, American Lung Association at [email protected] or 717-971-1123.