Program areas at DANA
Strengthening Nonprofit capacity - see schedule o for descriptionstrengthening Nonprofit capacity - through consulting services, training, the annual impact Delaware conference and networking, dana develops Nonprofit leadership skills in the areas of governance, strategic planning, financial sustainability, communications, human capital, and collaboration. Dana continues to provide access to information resources and support in sustainability, strategic planning, fundraising, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and advocacy. This year, due to the abrupt shifts in government funding, dana developed its aaa scenario planning kit to help nonprofits adapt to the changing funding realities. Over 2,064 individuals participated in one of many dana learning programs. And over 83 nonprofits benefitted from custom training or consulting engagements. Dana was the recipient of federal sba funds to launch a Nonprofit accelerator, a three-year program to help build sustainable Nonprofit cultures. The first cohort of seven organizations launched in the fall of 2023 and will continue through 2026. Dana also received an arpa grant which supports a second cohort comprised of five organizations that launched in 2024.
Enhancing dana members - see schedule o for descriptionenhancing dana members - dana facilitates opportunities and resources for Nonprofit organizations to share ideas with one another and to create connections with community members, funders, elected officials, and other potential partners. Dana's membership expanded to 522 members which includes nonprofits, government agencies, foundations, small businesses, and emerging nonprofits. Nonprofit member retention was 77%, as the changing funding landscape resulted in some dana members losing sizeable amounts of funding. The 2024 member survey indicates that 95% of members are satisfied with membership, 96% satisfied with access to dana staff for information, and 97% believe dana provides a valuable connection to other nonprofits. Dana distributed free resources to members including standards for excellence packets, compensation benchmark data, sample board policy templates, and other resources to help members enhance their internal policies.
Advancing the Nonprofit sector - see schedule o for descriptionadvancing the Nonprofit sector - dana engages Nonprofit leaders and government officials in dialogue around the vital role of nonprofits in the state of Delaware. Through workshops, meetings and attendance at legislative sessions, dana offers educational information on state and federal legislative and budget matters that impact the sector. Dana's subsector advocacy days builds advocacy muscle within de nonprofits. This program teaches Nonprofit employees and boards how to engage with policy makers, assisting with introductions and advising on how to promote their mission causes. Our public policy communities of practice gives dana members an opportunity to shape dana's advocacy agenda, raise issues that we should be aware of, and provide members insights into specific legislative initiatives. Policy makers seek dana to provide advance perspective on Nonprofit impact for proposed regulations and legislation. 96% of dana members surveyed in 2024 are satisfied with dana's advocacy efforts in dover, and 98% agree that dana champions Nonprofit issues at all levels of government