As Delaware’s General Assembly returns to Dover this week, nonprofits across the state are stepping into another critical advocacy moment. For nonprofits, this is the season when our collective voice matters most. 

From housing and homelessness prevention to food security, workforce development, behavioral health, and youth services, the nonprofit sector delivers essential programs in partnership with government. But those partnerships are often strained by outdated contracting systems, delayed payments, and funding models that fail to keep pace with rising costs. During this session, DANA will continue pushing for practical reforms that strengthen the nonprofit-government relationship while recognizing the true cost of providing services. 

This year’s session begins at a moment of extreme uncertainty. Federal funding shifts, budget pressures, attacks on nonprofits by the current federal administration, and policy changes at the national level threaten to ripple down to states and local communities. When resources are squeezed, nonprofits are often asked to do more with less, even as demand for services continues to rise. That reality makes advocacy not just important, but vital. Our sector cannot afford to be on the sidelines. 

Throughout session, DANA will focus on advancing policies that promote fair and sustainable government contracts. That includes timely payments, realistic cost escalators, and greater transparency and accountability across state agencies. When contracts are underfunded or payments arrive months late, organizations are forced to make impossible choices, either cut services, freeze hiring, or absorb costs they cannot sustain. Ultimately, it is Delaware residents who feel the impact. 

Session also brings new opportunities to build and strengthen relationships with legislators, particularly in districts experiencing turnover. DANA will continue to serve as a bridge between nonprofits and policymakers, sharing data, elevating member stories, and offering real-world solutions rooted in lived experience. Lawmakers need to hear directly from organizations serving their constituents every day. 

During the coming months, DANA will keep members informed and engaged with regular updates, advocacy alerts, and easy-to-use communications tools. We encourage you to follow along, respond when action is needed, and share your perspective. The start of session is more than a date on the calendar. It is a call for this sector to stand together and shape a stronger, more equitable Delaware.