Delaware First Health and the Centene Foundation Announce Grant Program Open Submission Period

Rhea-AI Summary

Delaware First Health (NYSE: CNC) and the Centene Foundation opened a grant submission period for Delaware community-based organizations through May 25, 2026. Grants total $500,000 to be awarded over the next three years, with individual awards of at least $10,000.

Applications will be reviewed with preference for projects addressing housing instability or transportation accessibility. Eligible applicants must be Delaware-based 501c3s serving the Medicaid population and must submit required documentation. Awards announced in September; apply at DelawareFirstHealth.com/grants.

News Market Reaction – CNC

-0.62%

-0.62% Session close to close

In the Mar 30 session, CNC declined 0.62%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement expands CNC’s community-investment footprint through a Delaware-focused grant prog...

Analysis

This announcement expands CNC’s community-investment footprint through a Delaware-focused grant program totaling $500,000 over three years, with a minimum of $10,000 per award targeting Medicaid populations. It follows other recent housing and social-impact initiatives, reinforcing a consistent corporate social responsibility theme. Investors may watch how these programs translate into member outcomes, relationships with state partners, and longer-term positioning within Medicaid managed care, alongside core earnings and regulatory developments.

Key Figures

Total grant funding: $500,000 Minimum grant size: $10,000 Grant period length: three years +1 more

4 metrics

Total grant funding $500,000 Grants to be awarded over the next three years

Minimum grant size $10,000 Minimum amount per award under the program

Grant period length three years Timeframe over which grants totaling $500,000 will be awarded

Application deadline May 25, 2026 Final date for Delaware organizations to apply

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 18 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Mar 18	Food is Medicine launch	Positive	+3.5%	Commitment of $550,000 to diabetes-focused food-as-medicine program in Kentucky.
Mar 17	Job training investment	Positive	+0.5%	$4.4 million investment to expand vocational training and community-based services.
Mar 10	Foster care distinction	Positive	-16.0%	Designation of Cute Pediatrics as Foster Care Center of Excellence in Texas.
Mar 4	Affordable housing project	Positive	-3.8%	Health Net-backed 37-unit affordable housing groundbreaking in South Los Angeles.
Mar 3	Housing stability grants	Positive	-1.8%	$31.25 million in grants for 10 housing projects and 900 new affordable units.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent community- and housing-focused initiatives have generally been positive in substance but often saw flat to negative price reactions, with only some events aligning positively with the news tone.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, CNC has highlighted multiple community and social-impact initiatives. These include food-as-medicine programs in Kentucky, job training and facility investments in Los Angeles County, new affordable housing developments, and sizable housing-stability grants, often in the $550,000 to $31.25 million range. Price reactions have been mixed, with both gains and declines following generally positive announcements, suggesting investors may already embed such CSR efforts into expectations or focus more on broader fundamentals.

Key Terms

medicaid, 501c3s, w-9, form 990

4 terms

medicaid regulatory

"a leading Medicaid managed care organization in Delaware"

Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that provides medical coverage to low-income individuals, families, elderly people and people with disabilities, administered jointly by the federal government and state governments in the United States. For investors, Medicaid matters because changes in eligibility, funding, or payment rules can alter patient volume and the prices hospitals, nursing homes, insurers and medical suppliers receive—similar to how a large customer or contract can shift a company’s revenue outlook.

501c3s regulatory

"Organizations must be Delaware-based 501c3s"

501c3s are U.S. nonprofit organizations recognized by the tax code as charitable, educational, religious, or similar groups that do not distribute profits to private owners and are exempt from federal income tax. For investors, they matter because they can influence demand for goods and services, receive large donations or grants, hold and sell assets, and issue tax-exempt bonds—factors that can affect company revenues, community reputation, and local market conditions. Think of them as community-focused entities that operate like companies without shareholders.

w-9 regulatory

"All supporting documentation must be submitted ... (relevant program materials, W-9, form 990, IRS"

A W-9 is a U.S. tax form used to collect a person’s or business’s legal name, tax identification number, and tax status so payers can report payments to the IRS. For investors and companies, it matters because accurate W-9 information determines whether income like dividends, interest, or contractor payments are reported correctly and whether backup tax withholding applies — think of it as the ID check that keeps tax paperwork and withholding on track.

form 990 regulatory

"All supporting documentation must be submitted ... (relevant program materials, W-9, form 990, IRS"

Form 990 is an annual public tax document that tax-exempt organizations file to report their finances, governance, and key activities. Like a household budget and board meeting minutes rolled into one, it lets outsiders see how donations and resources are used, who is in charge, and any large transactions. Investors, donors and analysts use it to assess financial health, transparency and potential risks before committing funds or partnerships.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Community-based organizations and providers across Delaware can apply for funding now through May 25, 2026

NEWARK, Del., March 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Delaware First Health ("DFH"), a leading Medicaid managed care organization in Delaware, and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), today announced an open submission period for grants that will be provided to non-profit, community-based organizations and providers that address drivers of health. By addressing these conditions—such as lack of access to healthy food, housing insecurity and transportation accessibility—these grants will improve the lives and health of Delawareans. 

"We are pleased to offer financial support for organizations that address drivers of health and make a difference in communities throughout Delaware," said Delaware First Health President and CEO Bill Wilson. "People are more likely to schedule a doctor's appointment when they aren't worried about the roof over their heads, feeding their families or getting to work. Working together with community-based organizations, we can intervene in the societal, environmental and economic barriers that are preventing people from living their best and healthiest lives."

Grants totaling $500,000 will be awarded over the next three years at a minimum of $10,000 each. Applications are due May 25, 2026, and award announcements will be in September.

Applications that seek to reduce the impact of any of the many drivers of health are welcomed, however, more favorable consideration will be given to those that address housing instability or transportation accessibility.

To apply, organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Must serve the Medicaid population
• Must demonstrate how grant funds have been used and show outcomes and impact over multiple points in time
• Organizations must be Delaware-based 501c3s
• All supporting documentation must be submitted with the application (relevant program materials, W-9, form 990, IRS Affirmation / Determination Letter, etc.)

To learn more and apply, visit DelawareFirstHealth.com/grants.

About Delaware First Health
Established in 2023, Delaware First Health provides government-sponsored managed care services to families across Delaware through Medicaid (Delaware First Health), Marketplace (Ambetter Health of Delaware), Medicare Advantage (Wellcare), and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Wellcare). By building strong community partnerships that support access to wholistic and culturally competent care, Delaware First Health is transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time. Delaware First Health is a Centene Corporation company. For more information, please visit DelawareFirstHealth.com. 

About Centene Foundation
The Centene Foundation (the "Foundation"), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) ("Centene"). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene's mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to wellness underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing drivers of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare access, social services and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation's website.

 

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SOURCE Delaware First Health

FAQ

Who is eligible for the Delaware First Health and Centene Foundation grants (CNC) in 2026?

Eligible applicants are Delaware-based 501c3 organizations that serve the Medicaid population, meeting documentation requirements. According to the company, applicants must show use of funds, outcomes over time, and submit program materials, W-9, form 990 and IRS determination letter.

How much funding is available from Delaware First Health and Centene Foundation (CNC) and how are awards sized?

The program totals $500,000 to be awarded over three years, with a minimum award of $10,000 each. According to the company, grants will be distributed across multiple recipients, with award announcements scheduled in September.

What is the application deadline for the Delaware First Health/Centene Foundation (CNC) grant program?

Applications are due May 25, 2026, for consideration in the grant cycle. According to the company, award recipients will be announced in September and applicants should include all supporting documentation with their submission.

Which project areas receive favorable consideration for Centene Foundation grants (CNC) in Delaware?

Projects addressing housing instability or transportation accessibility will receive more favorable consideration. According to the company, applications that reduce drivers of health like food access and housing insecurity are also welcomed for funding.

Where can organizations apply for the Delaware First Health and Centene Foundation (CNC) grants?

Organizations can apply online at DelawareFirstHealth.com/grants and must attach required supporting documents. According to the company, complete applications should include program materials, W-9, form 990 and IRS affirmation/determination letter.