WSFS CARES Foundation continues momentum with latest grants

WILMINGTON — The WSFS CARES Foundation closed out 2024 by awarding $165,000 in fourth-quarter grants to four community organizations, including the Community Education Building (CEB), Reach Riverside Development Corporation, Wilmington Community Advisory Council (WCAC), and the Latin American Community Center (LACC).

CEB secured a $285,000 three-year commitment to support its mission of transforming education for Wilmington students. Reach Riverside Development Corporation received $150,000 over three years for its comprehensive community development initiative. WCAC was awarded $75,000 over three years to address youth gun violence, while LACC obtained $45,000 to enhance its workforce development programs.

“Funding from the WSFS CARES Foundation will transform the lives of hundreds of Wilmington youth,” said Kenyetta McCurdy Byrd, chief operating officer of The WRK Group (The Warehouse, REACH Riverside & Kingswood Community Center). “One of The Warehouse RISE participants, Chanise Williams, says it best: ‘The support I’ve received has been life-changing. It’s allowed me to focus on my goals and provide a better future for my son and my future children. I’m so thankful for The Warehouse and everyone who has made this possible.’”

WSFS Bank also provided $5,000 to Literacy Delaware.

This latest giving round follows a banner year in 2023 when the foundation distributed $2.7 million to more than 390 organizations across the tri-state area. The bank also contributed an additional $2 million to support future community investments.

The foundation’s journey began in 2021 through the strategic merger of the WSFS Foundation and WSFS Community Foundation, originally established in 2003 and 2007. Since then, its impact has grown substantially, with quarterly grant distributions becoming a cornerstone of their community support strategy.

Throughout 2024, the foundation maintained steady community support, distributing $185,000 in first-quarter grants and $105,000 in third-quarter funding. The foundation’s reach now extends across six states through 114 offices.

Team WSFS, the bank’s volunteer program, has complemented these financial contributions with significant hands-on community involvement, including over 18,000 volunteer hours in 2023. The program’s highlight was the inaugural “We Stand for Service Day,” when 1,200 employees contributed 5,000 hours across 80 organizations.

This consistent pattern of giving represents a significant increase from 2020, when the foundation provided $300,000 in grants to 21 nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the organization’s growing commitment to community support.