About Us
Strengthen. Enhance.
Advance.
Our History
DANA, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, was formed in 1986 as an association for the purpose of supporting nonprofits in group purchasing. Over the years, it was recognized that Delaware nonprofits needed an organization that could advocate for their needs, while also serving as a resource for helping them enhance their operating practices.
We offer support in areas such as board and employee recruitment and retention, education & learning, leadership continuity, diversity, equity, and inclusion, advocacy, strategic planning, awareness-building, connection and collaboration, and an ever-growing knowledge database available to members and attendees. Our services are based on the nationally recognized best-practices set forth by the Standards for Excellence® Program and are enhanced with contemporary best practices in leadership and advocacy.
Our Vision
The Nonprofit Sector is empowered to achieve an inclusive, thriving, and vibrant community.
Our Mission
As the leader of the nonprofit sector, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement’s mission is to strengthen, enhance, and advance nonprofits in Delaware through advocacy, training, capacity building, and research.
Our Values
Envision and lead to a better future,
serve with integrity based on best practices,
respect the diversity of all.
Our Impact Numbers
Read Our Annual ReportsDANA brings the people, research, and strategies together to advance nonprofit excellence in 2021
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423
Nonprofit members
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93
Organizations applied for grants with DANA’s technical assistance support
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105
Nonprofit organizations advanced with DANA’s Consulting Services
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1929
People learned new strategies and gained insights with DANA’s education programs
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26
individuals were placed on Delaware nonprofit boards of directors
Our Impact
Advancing Nonprofit Excellence
Our Board of Directors and staff’s strategic plan focuses efforts in strengthening leadership, enhancing operational sustainability and advancing the nonprofit sector in Delaware. At DANA, we believe that strong, healthy nonprofits and a growing and robust nonprofit sector begins with strong leadership within each organization, within each board, and within the overall sector. DANA seeks the following outcomes from its work with a focus on leadership development, nonprofit organizational system improvement, and sector-level advancement:
- Nonprofit leadership and boards are reflective of the diversity of the communities they serve
- Nonprofit organization leaders and board members collaborate, are adaptive and pursue continuous improvement
- Nonprofits have recruiting, onboarding, and development processes in place, have succession plans
- Nonprofit organizations have a strategic plan which articulates what success looks like & translates action into mission
- Nonprofits are working together to communicate and advocate for desired change
- Nonprofit Boards and Leadership have policies and practices that advance equity and inclusion
- Nonprofit Leadership exhibit strategic acumen and have the right operational skills
- Stakeholders appreciate the value of the nonprofit sector; with nonprofits are at the table for community innovation and impact.
DANA’s programs and resources are targeted to support the above outcomes, and will continue to research and report on sector trends to measure the changes in nonprofit excellence.
“The resources I received from DANA have made a tremendous impact on the daily operations of my business. I have learned a lot from the consultants and would not have been able to start up my nonprofit without their assistance.”
Anonymous