DANA believes strongly in the power of collaboration and its ability to have a multiplying impact in enhancing our communities. As such, DANA partners to deliver its mission through its Excellence Academy service partners, public policy partners, and alliance partners. Together our collective work advances and strengthens the nonprofit community in Delaware.
Excellence Academy Service Partners
DANA holds several partnerships to deliver its consulting and training services. Experienced independent consultants in a range of expertise including governance, sustainability, strategic planning, financial management, collective impact, fundraising, succession and executive coaching. DANA also partners with the Standards for Excellence Institute for best practice guidance and nonprofit accreditation.
Stand Out Among Your Peer Organizations
As a member of DANA, your organization is devoted to strengthening your infrastructure and leadership to make transformational impacts in the communities you serve. Set your organization apart by going above the minimum legal requirements for a responsibly governed and well managed nonprofit.
Apply to earn the Seal of Excellence through a special agreement with the Standards for Excellence Institute. The accreditation program provides nonprofits in Delaware and across the country with the opportunity to demonstrate that they operate with the highest standards of accountability and ethics. It is an ideal way for nonprofits who do not have access to a trade accreditation to exhibit their high operational standards.
National nonprofit directories such as Guidestar will feature this accreditation on the nonprofit’s profile page. A recent study of nonprofits who applied and secured the Standards for Excellence Seal realized an increase in public funding support.
Full Accreditation
- Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council
- Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement
- Rehoboth Beach Film Society
Level Two – Basic Enhanced
Level One – Basic
Stephanie Cory has dedicated her career to the nonprofit sector for nearly 20 years. She has served as an executive director as well as held development and program management roles. Stephanie is an adjunct faculty member for Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive and earned her designation as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy from the American College of Financial Services. Recognized for her excellence in teaching and facilitation, Stephanie was named a Master Trainer by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is a Certified Governance Consultant through BoardSource and a Licensed Consultant through the Standards for Excellence® Institute. Stephanie also has more than 30 years’ cumulative experience as a board member. She has partnered with DANA since 2014 as one of our valued consultants.
“When you begin with a shared vision, people work together to make it happen.” A seasoned consultant, Susan Detwiler specializes in working with nonprofit boards and staff, as a catalyst for boards in transition, developing vision and aligning planning, leadership and governance with values and mission. She has twenty-five years of experience in the for-profit sector,
serving a variety of clients including Fortune 500 companies, followed by fourteen years in the nonprofit sector. Her consulting is informed by five years experience as an Executive Director and service on multiple nonprofit boards through the years. Ms. Detwiler is a Creating the Future™ Fellow and
Standards for Excellence™ Consultant, and partners with Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement to provide board excellence education, facilitation and consulting. As a Creating the Future Fellow, she facilitates organizations coming together around a vision for the future, and assists their identifying the path to that future. Ms. Detwiler graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from State University of New York at Albany and holds an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Debbie DiVirgilio is a Certified Governance Trainer through BoardSource and has more than 20 years of experience serving in the nonprofit sector in Maryland, Delaware and across the United States. Debbie is a nonprofit coach, consultant, teacher, facilitator and certified grant professional who holds a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Grant Professionals Institute for seven years. Debbie is a Credentialed Christian Nonprofit Leader through the Christian Leadership Alliance and Azusa Pacific University. She began partnering with DANA within the last two years and is committed to helping nonprofits thrive.
Peggy Geisler holds BA in Clinical Psychology from University of Maryland and her MA in Clinical Psychology from Salisbury University. She is the Owner and Senior Consultant of PMG Consulting LLC, who works with not-for-profits and businesses on infrastructure, strategic planning and training as well as conducts community based planning in both Maryland and Delaware with a focus on “Good to Great” and Collective Impact Framework. She currently oversees the Sussex County Health Coalition project. Peggy has 25 years’ experience in the not-for-profit field and has received numerous awards for her community based work. She is a DANA consultant, as well as a Licensed Standards for Excellence Consultant through Maryland Association of Non-Profits.
Dick Haviland brings both experience and a personal passion to his work with non-profit organizations leadership teams and their boards. In addition to over thirty years of experience as a manager and senior executive working globally he has worked for non-profits and served on the boards of Special Olympics and other service organizations. He is certified by The Center for Creative Leadership as a coach and is also a registered International Organizational Development Consultant having worked in the UK, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Peggy Kaiser has 18 years of experience working with nonprofit organization in a financial capacity. Her background implementing IT solutions and working for a variety of nonprofits has given her the ability to quickly analyze and assess the needs of small businesses. Specializing in accounting, Peggy re-engineers work processes to reduce redundancy, increase efficiency and to organize financial data in a form that is meaningful and can be evaluated.
Wil Sherk maintains an active consulting practice, advising nonprofit clients on strategic direction.
During his career in the nonprofit sector Wil served as chief financial officer for Winterthur Museum and The Parish of Trinity Church, Wall Street where he oversaw the financial affairs of the church’s significant real estate holdings. He was responsible for the business affairs of The National Cathedral during its financial recovery and completion.
As a volunteer, Wil has been a board member of the Christiana Care Health System where he chairs the External Affairs Committee. He chaired the audit committee and served for several years on the finance committee of Christiana Care. He is past chair of the board of the Christiana Care Visiting Nurse Association. He is actively engaged in promoting health equity in Delaware.
Public Policy Partners
DANA partners with other sector leaders to educate government leaders on the value and role of nonprofits in Delaware. Through our collective efforts, we seek to partner with government officials to advance policy that will strengthen the nonprofit sector’s ability to deliver effective and efficient services.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NONPROFITS
The Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement is a proud member of the National Council of Nonprofits!
The National Council of Nonprofits is a trusted resource and advocate for America’s charitable nonprofits. Through its powerful network of State Associations and 25,000-plus members – thus the nation’s largest network of nonprofits – it serves as a central coordinator and mobilizer to help nonprofits achieve greater collective impact in local communities across the country. They identify emerging trends, share proven practices, and promote solutions that benefit charitable nonprofits and the communities they serve.
For more information about the National Council, please visit their website at councilofnonprofits.org.
Supporting Partner in Standards for Excellence Assessments
Alliance Partners
DANA is supported by foundations and business in Delaware who value the work of nonprofits. They want them to thrive by having strong leadership and excellence, effective practices and policies. Thanks to these organizations, DANA is able to offer our services at accessible rates and even at no cost.
