Insights & Ideas

This week, DANA provided testimony on two pieces of legislation during the current legislative session: HB 84(S), related to workplace “captive audience” meetings, and HB 306, a bill addressing transparency in the use of artificial intelligence chatbots.  HB 84(S) – Captive Audience Bill  DANA testified before the House Labor Committee regarding HB 84(S), which addresses certain types […]

WILMINGTON – Sheila Bravo, who has led DANA, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, for more than a decade, has announced that she will leave the organization later this spring.  Bravo announced that she is leaving to pursue new opportunities, but leaving the alliance was a difficult decision after years of growth and expansion in both size and scope of DANA’s mission.  […]

In 2026, DANA’s public policy agenda is guided by four clear outcomes: During this legislative session, DANA is advancing specific priorities to achieve these outcomes, including legislation to address statewide contract process reform, advocating for contract data transparency, highlighting the need to make equitable investments in the nonprofit workforce, Grant-In-Aid reform, and increased nonprofit representation […]

Governor Matt Meyer’s first State of the State and his fiscal 2027 recommended budget outline an agenda focused on fiscal stability alongside targeted investments in children, housing, healthcare, and the workforce. These priorities closely align with the missions of Delaware’s nonprofit and philanthropic communities, but they also raise important questions about sustainability, capacity, and who ultimately bears the cost of delivering essential […]

Governor Matt Meyer’s 2026 State of the State address outlined an ambitious vision for Delaware, with a focus on early childhood education, healthcare access, education reform, and housing. These are areas where nonprofits play a central role in delivering services. While the governor’s priorities largely align with those of the nonprofit sector, the speech left open questions about sustainability, state/nonprofit contracting practices, and whether nonprofits will be fully resourced to meet growing expectations.  The […]

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. […]

As Delaware approaches the start of the 2026 legislative session, several political and federal policy developments are emerging that could directly affect nonprofits and the communities they serve. State fiscal uncertainty, new budget projections, uncertainty surrounding federal housing policy, and ongoing disputes over food assistance all underscore the importance of nonprofit engagement in the months ahead.  DEFAC Projections for December and Delaware’s Financial […]

WILMINGTON – DANA, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, has received grant funding to bolster southern Delaware nonprofits by strengthening their boards of directors.  The Mid-Del Charitable Foundation has awarded DANA a $1,000 grant to recruit and match community-based leaders from Kent and Sussex counties with local nonprofits through DANA’s Board Connections program.   Board Connections matches community professionals with DANA nonprofit members seeking board members based on skills, interests and values, […]

WILMINGTON – DANA, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, is proud to announce the promotion of one of its longest-tenured staff members.  This month, DANA promoted Melissa Hopkins to Executive Vice President & Chief External Affairs Officer. Previously, Hopkins served as Executive Vice President of Sector Advancement.  In her new role, Hopkins will continue to lead DANA’s government affairs and […]