WILMINGTON – Nonprofit leaders and Delaware’s Congressional Delegation met Tuesday afternoon to discuss various federal policy changes and how they impact the nonprofit sector. 

Convened by DANA, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, the virtual town hall featured a briefing and conversation with Senator Chris Coons, Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester and Congresswoman Sarah McBride and focused on how federal policies such as HR 1 (the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) HR 4 (the Rescissions Act of 2025) and other measures are expected to affect nonprofits. 

More than 130 local nonprofit leaders joined Tuesday’s meeting to gain clarity and ask questions about how recent changes to Medicaid, SNAP, immigration policy, and federal grantmaking and certification requirements will affect service delivery, funding, and community stability. 

“During the past several months, nonprofit leaders have faced a changing landscape due to new federal policies, raising uncertainty and making it more difficult to plan effectively for the future,” said DANA President & CEO Sheila Bravo. “That uncertainty presents serious challenges for Delaware residents who rely on our nonprofits for food assistance, healthcare, housing, education, and services for seniors and children. 

“DANA understands the importance of bringing our nonprofit leaders together to not only hear from our Congressional Delegation, but to ask questions, get answers, and have an honest dialogue with them about what these changes mean in real terms for Delaware.” 

The delegation presented an overview of federal legislation and efforts to protect the missions of nonprofits in Delaware and across the country, and they shared guidance on how nonprofits can best advocate for their futures. 

Senator Coons: “In this time of unprecedented uncertainty for non-profits, I’m grateful to the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement for bringing us together to answer questions about the road ahead. Delawareans don’t abandon our neighbors, and I won’t abandon our non-profits fighting to make our state a better place. I will keep working in DC to secure federal funding and make sure that funding gets to our communities. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if your non-profit is concerned about federal funding.” 

Senator Blunt Rochester: “I was proud to join my colleagues for this important discussion. I’ve traveled up and down the state, and people are afraid of the chaos being caused by this Administration. We’ve gotten countless calls and emails into our office, from individuals to heads of organizations and non-profits, concerned about their future.  

“This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. I want to thank DANA, and partner organizations for the work they have been doing for months. They are on the front lines, and without you all filling in the gaps, and I’ll continue to fight with them on this work ahead.” 

Congresswoman McBride: “Delaware’s nonprofit community is the backbone of our state—delivering care, connection, and critical services to neighbors in every zip code. The Trump administration hasn’t just cut vital funding for nonprofits—it’s cutting the very foundation that supports families in crisis and communities in need. I’m grateful to DANA and every organization that joined us to speak truth, share concerns, and strategize together. I’ll keep working to ensure their voices are represented in Congress—and to protect the essential work they do every day for Delawareans.” 

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