The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce is proud to have numerous nonprofit businesses in our membership. Learn more about our June Member of the Month, The Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. below.
The Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. is a philanthropic private foundation with a mission to enrich communities, families and quality of life for all. They carry out their mission by providing grant funding to other nonprofit organizations whose missions are closely aligned with theirs.
An interview with Marlene B. Young, President.
Can you tell us about The Delaplaine Foundation’s history?
Delaplaine family roots run deep in Frederick County, MD with the family’s history dating back to the earliest settlers of the area. The first house in Frederick was built by Delaplaine ancestor John Thomas Schley after he immigrated to Frederick from Germany around 1745. Delaplaine Foundation’s Chairman George B. Delaplaine, Jr. is grandson of William T. Delaplaine who in 1880 started a commercial print shop from which in 1883 evolved into publishing the local daily newspaper which he incorporated in 1888 as The Great Southern Printing & Mfg. Co. George B. Delaplaine, Jr., later served as President, Editor and Publisher of his family’s newspaper and in the late 1960s he brought cable television to Frederick County.
The cable company’s territory of subscribers eventually expanded to four states and in 2001, the newspaper and cable assets of Great Southern Printing & Mfg. Company were sold. The Delaplaine family, having always believed in the importance of giving back to the community, used a portion of the proceeds from the sale to establish Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. in 2001 and over the first 20 years of the Foundation’s operations, has awarded more than $20M in grant funding.
What do you like most about being involved with the Frederick community?
We have been involved as business owners in both for profit and nonprofit in Frederick and consistently the element liked most is the connectedness of the people and the relationships that are built in collaboration, support and unified interest as a vital, growing and concerned community. In short, Frederick cares for its own!
Because we are deeply rooted in the Frederick County community, we are keenly connected to what’s happening within the community and its civic, business, nonprofit, education, government, health, human services and spiritual sectors. Being a member of the Chamber keeps us apprised and networking with members of the community so that we are better informed on those with whom we may collaborate and network in carrying out our mission.
It is our goal to be known for making a positive and lasting impact on the enrichment of the communities that make up Frederick County and beyond through grant funding and other means of measurable support that provide outcomes that enhance the quality of life for the citizens and families we serve.
How has being a member of the Frederick County Chamber benefited The Delaplaine Foundation?
In our case, it was a matter of “re-joining” the Chamber, having previously been members of for-profit businesses. Joining the Chamber as a nonprofit organization, the reason is the same – being a part of the network and heartbeat of economic drivers within the community – both for profit and nonprofit; keeping abreast of new businesses and nonprofits that relocated to Frederick or are here as start-ups; staying informed and contributing to the greater good of the community where we are so deeply invested.
How does The Delaplaine Foundation support the community?
Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. has provided grant funding to more than 300 nonprofit organizations since opening our doors in 2001 by funding programs, projects and services that support the arts and culture; educational advancement; health and physical and mental wellbeing; human services, historical preservation and spiritual enlightenment. In addition to annual grant funding, we also do event sponsorships in support of our nonprofit impact partners.
Does the Delaplaine Foundation have anything planned for the future you’d like our Chamber members to know about?
Delaplaine Foundation is excited for the upcoming launch of its Community Advisory Council (CAC) to be comprised of influential community members with expertise and experience in the Foundation’s six areas of funding focus. These individuals have specialized knowledge in each of these sectors and have been selected from nominations that have come in from the community. In order to avoid any conflict of interest, CAC members cannot be currently employed by or serving on the Boards of any nonprofit organizations that receive grant funding or have previously received grant funding from Delaplaine Foundation and must reside or work within Frederick County. The CAC will serve as a supplemental source of insight and expertise to the Board of Trustees and through the coordination of the CAC Chair, and will share information to further enable best-informed funding decisions.
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.