Woodlawn Trustees

09/25/2026

Through the years, we have made land available to organizations providing valuable services to the community. Today the buildings housing these and other organizations sit on land previously owned by Woodlawn Trustees: https://woodlawntrustees.com/thoughtful-development/

09/22/2026

In 1901, William Bancroft, a Quaker, founded the Woodlawn Company to carry on his interests of "thoughtful development", which included affordable housing, market-rate housing, the creation of parks for recreation, and the preservation of land in the Brandywine Valley.

In the ensuing 125 years, Woodlawn Trustees has evolved and two partner nonprofits, the Todmorden Foundation and the Rockford Woodlawn Fund, were created to expand the mission of Woodlawn Trustees. Together, this "Bancroft Family of Funds" continues to offer thoughtful development, provide affordable housing, expand parks and trails, and preserve land in the Brandywine Valley.

09/18/2026

September is National Preparedness Month. Make sure you have a plan, have what you need, and are ready for any emergencies that may happen!

https://www.fema.gov/blog/americans-stand-ready-3-steps-you-can-take-national-preparedness-month

09/16/2026

Check out this recent article about the Brandywine Creek State Park! https://bit.ly/3UVY8NU

The first designated old-growth forest in Delaware, Tulip Tree Woods is a special preserve worth exploring.

09/14/2026

Wondering about the team behind Woodlawn's work?

Find out how to get in contanct with the team members who support Woodlawn Trustees and its mission.

09/10/2026

As discussions around legislation like Senate Bill 23 continue across our state, we remain committed to advocating for thoughtful housing solutions that address Delaware's urgent inventory needs while honoring the character and stability of our neighborhoods.

Real progress happens when community leaders, residents, and housing advocates come together with a shared goal: making sure everyone in Delaware has a place to call home.

Read the full commentary on Senate Bill 23 here:

The Housing for Every Delawarean Act earned support from an unusually broad coalition of Delaware organizations representing employers, healthcare, education, older adults, chambers of commerce, builders, engineers, contractors and the broader business community.

09/03/2026

With Mayor Carney opening applications for the $8.4 million fund allocated to building more affordable housing in Wilmington, we are excited about what that means for affordable housing opportunities in the city.

Our President and CEO, Rich Pyrzwara, described the city’s initiative as “healthy” compared to other subsidy programs he’s encountered. He also said that many companies that used to invest heavily in the city have left, making it harder for developers “to get to the finish line without debt.”

You can read his full thoughts and the entire article here:

A plan for Wilmington to subsidize housing developments followed increased calls in recent years for the city to provide relief to residents who have been squeezed by increasing housing costs.

08/27/2026

What is affordable housing?

Federal guidelines define affordable housing as housing that costs, through rent or mortgage payments, no more than 30 percent of a household’s income. The state of Delaware includes the cost of utilities in that 30 percent calculation. https://todmordenfoundation.org/

08/25/2026

Happy Birthday to the National Park Service! Did you know that a significant portion of Delaware’s First State National Historical Park in the Brandywine Valley exists today thanks to land preserved and donated through Woodlawn Trustees?

We are proud of our role in protecting these national treasures so that generations of Delawareans and visitors can enjoy pristine historical landscapes forever.

08/24/2026

It has been great to watch The Flats Phase V take shape.

Thank you, DiSabatino Construction, for these updated photos!