Community Empowerment Grantmaking Program

Education, Health, and Financial Literacy

Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF) will award Community Empowerment grants to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Chapters in one of the following areas: Civic Engagement; Educational Development; Financial Literacy for Youth; Health and Wellness; or International Awareness.

Grant Application Overview

A program can be conducted by a Delta chapter or a program sponsored in partnership with a community-based organization that has a similar mission and goals as those of DREF or the Sorority; the community-based organization partner must have a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

Rules and Instructions:

Program grant awards are subject to availability and will be based on the rating score received
Chapters are permitted to submit only one grant application
Proposals must address issues affecting African-American Women and their families with a focus on Civic Engagement, Educational Development, Financial Literacy for Youth, Health and Wellness or International Awareness.
The program must clearly delineate how the target population will be empowered to move beyond their current situation
The 2026-2027 Applications will be available November 2025
Questions? Send email to: CEMGrants@deltafoundation.net

2025 Community Empowerment Grant Awardees

Central Arkansas
Columbus (GA) Metropolitan
Des Moines Alumnae
Gary Alumnae
Loudoun County Alumnae
Macomb Alumnae
Memphis Alumnae
Montgomery County (OH) Alumnae
New Haven Alumnae
Phoenix Alumnae
Quaker City Alumnae
San Fernando Valley Alumnae
Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates Alumnae
Warner Robins Alumnae
Zeta Mu- Miami University (Ohio)

Donations & Support

The Delta Research and Education Foundation (DREF) is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization. Qualified donors are entitled to a Federal income tax deduction for every dollar invested in our charitable work.

Our promise to every donor is unqualified accountability and strict adherence to DREF’s mandate to change lives for the better. We value the trust you put in our hands, and manage contributions efficiently, directing them toward programs that open new doors of opportunity.

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 collegiate women at Howard University to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need. The Founders of Delta Sigma Theta envisioned an organization committed to sisterhood, scholarship, service, and addressing the social issues of the time.

Since its founding, Delta Sigma Theta has become one of the preeminent service-based sororities, with more than 300,000 initiated members and over 1,000 chartered chapters worldwide.

Learn more about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.