DANA conference brings together nonprofits, business and government

DANA, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, held its annual conference in Wilmington May 15. Nearly 300 nonprofit, business and government leaders came together to advance nonprofit excellence. Keynote speaker Gov. John Carney focused on the importance of the work done by the state's nonprofits, and the need for nonprofits, business and government to work together to deliver services to those in need, despite possible state budget impacts.

Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester delivered an impassioned message focused on the strength of nonprofits when they work together, and an appeal to "stay woke" and to actively advocate for the nonprofit sector in Washington. Author and guest presenter David Grant offered a brief commentary on the power of alignment and how nonprofits can leverage their divergent initiatives to improve outcomes. Morning and afternoon breakout sessions focused on identifying, measuring and tracking performance toward outcomes.

DANA held its annual meeting at the conference and announced newly elected board members who will serve until June 30, 2020. New board members are Patti Grimes, Carl M. Freeman Foundation; Vita Pickrum, Delaware State University; Joanne Reilly, Longwood Foundation; Patricia Rivera, Hook PR Group; Matthew Stehl, Highmark BCBS, and Dominic Canuso, WSFS Bank. Elected to serve a second three-year term were Craig Crouch, KSI; Mark Dunkle, Parkowski, Guerke & Swayze; and Claudia Pena Poretti, Latin American Community Center.

DANA also recognized the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation and Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, two member organizations that have attained the coveted Standards for Excellence accreditation.