WELCOME LETTER
A message from
DANA President Sheila Bravo and
Board President Dominic C. Canuso
Much like 2020, the pandemic affected nearly every aspect of our lives in 2021. The nonprofit community found no shortage of challenges as we collectively developed new ways to handle daily tasks and routines in the face of what has become a very different world. Throughout, DANA remains committed to advancing nonprofit excellence and supporting our members as we adapt to change.
DANA ended 2021 very strongly. Throughout the year, we sought new and innovative ways to bring our services and new learning opportunities to members. DANA began reintroducing in-person workshops and the groundwork to bring new online tools to our members and expand learning opportunities. We continued to grow, with new positions created to back our efforts, including a Chief Learning Officer and a Director of Diversity and Inclusion supported through Barclays Bank and the Longwood Foundation.
Through the generosity of our supporting foundations, DANA was able to continue offering consulting services to their grantees at reduced fees.
Dominic C. Canuso (Chair), WSFS Bank
Sheila Bravo, DANA CEO & President
Nonprofits that participated gained the skills to update strategic plans, evaluate leadership succession, reflect on their diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and explore new funding opportunities. Our Communities of Practice continue to be a resource for peer networking – helping provide nonprofit executives and staff the opportunity to build relationships and share best practices.
In 2021, DANA began advocating to policymakers to address the disparity in the state’s contracts with nonprofit contracted service providers in relation to SB 15, the proposal to increase the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2025, which passed the Legislature and was signed by Gov. John Carney. We requested a 12% cost-of-services increase on all state contracts with nonprofits and a 25% increase in the grant-in-aid bill. We also supported expanded funding for Developmental Disabilities Direct Support Professionals, increasing the Child Care Contingency Fund for Purchase of Care supplement, and providing a one-time $5 million investment in the Volunteer Fire Service Loan Revolving Fund.
DANA continues to actively advocate for Delaware nonprofits. This work is not possible without nonprofit member organizations, businesses, and alliance partners supporting our mission. Our continued growth is a testament to the commitment of member agencies, our financial supporters, and our staff. We’d like to thank our Board of Directors, which has never lost sight of what we are about – connecting and building the nonprofit sector while we create a brighter future.
IMPACT
Nonprofits
received technical assistance for grant applications
Individuals
elected to New Castle County/Wilmington Boards
9/10
Consulting Quality Rating
9/10
Workshop Quality Rating
MEMBER TESTIMONIALS:
Shané Darby, Founder
Black Mothers in Power
Mission
To eradicate racial health disparities for Black birthing people and Black babies throughout Delaware.
Vision
Black Mothers in Power envisions a state where all Black birthing people are informed about their birthing rights, have autonomy over their reproductive decisions, and are treated equitably in the health care system.
Amanecer Counseling & Resource Center
Mission
To see Latinos heal, grow, and thrive, by providing behavioral health and resources that empower individuals and families.
Vision
Amanecer envisions a community where Latinos are healthy, thriving, and contributing to society.
Rob McCreary, Executive Director
Scott Swingle, President
Southern Delaware Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Mission
To improve the physical and emotional well-being of children and adults living with disabilities through equine assisted services in a supportive environment for riders and families.
Vision
SDTHR’s goals are to bring the advantages of therapeutic riding and other equine-assisted activities to all members of the community who can benefit without compromising the high high quality, focused one-on-one therapy sessions that are the heart of the program.
FINANCIAL DATA
DANA MEMBERS
DANA ALLIANCE PARTNERS
ABOUT DANA
As the leader of the nonprofit sector, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement’s mission is to strengthen, enhance, and advance nonprofits and the sector in Delaware through advocacy, training, capacity building, and research.
The Nonprofit Sector is empowered to achieve an inclusive, thriving, and vibrant community.
- Envision and lead to a better future
- Serve with integrity based on best practices
- Respect the diversity of all
Staff
Sheila Bravo
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Mel Carney
Executive Assistant
Daniel Davis
Engagement Manager
Tony Ferlenda
Senior Consultant and
Standards for Excellence Liaison
Jalissia Haynes
Public Policy and
Advocacy Manager
Melissa Hopkins
Executive Vice President
of Sector Advancement
Pam Leland
Executive Vice President,
Nonprofit Support Program
Angela McDermott
Project Manager
Nadine Moone
Director of Diversity
and Inclusion
Leslie Poland
Communications
Manager
Board of Directors
Dominic C. Canuso (Chair of the Board)
WSFS Bank
Patti Grimes (Vice Chair)
Carl M. Freeman Foundation
Vickie Young Beam (Treasurer)
Cover & Rossiter
Charles Vincent (Secretary)
Spur Impact
Fay Blake
Pathways to Success
Jennifer Cho
Barclays
Patricia Dailey Lewis
Beau Biden Foundation
Guillermina Gonzalez
Wilmington University
Lisa Lucchese
JPMorgan Chase
Dr. Vita Pickrum
Delaware State University
Joanne Reilly
Community Leader
Tom Sheridan
The Sheridan Group
Mary Van Veen
DuPont
Robert Winfree
JPMorgan Chase
Contact Us
100 W. 10th Street
Suite 1012
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
21133 Sterling Ave.
Suite 12
Georgetown, Delaware 19963
Phone: 302-777-5500
Fax: 302-777-5386
© 2022, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement.