Chief Executive Officer

Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA)

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the chief strategist, relationship builder, and organizational leader responsible for advancing the organization’s mission, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and strengthening the nonprofit sector statewide. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO works in close partnership with the Board and senior leadership team to execute the strategic plan while maintaining financial stability and operational excellence.

The CEO will build strong relationships across the state while guiding affiliated entities and mission-aligned initiatives including the Delaware Nonprofit Action Network, a 501c4 supporting public policy initiatives, and Care for Good, a health insurance solution for DANA members. The CEO is responsible for ensuring DANA’s leadership serves as a key resource to strengthen and expand the capacity and voice of DANA members, Alliance Partners, and the Delaware nonprofit sector.

Strategic Leadership & Board Partnership

• Partner with the Board to refine and execute a clear strategic vision aligned with the mission and values.
• Lead implementation of the multi-year strategic plan, ensuring measurable outcomes and alignment across programs and initiatives.
• Evaluate and prioritize initiatives to ensure sustainability and mission alignment.
• Identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities impacting the nonprofit sector statewide.
• Develop clear metrics and accountability systems to track impact and financial performance.
• Balance growth ambitions with disciplined financial planning.
• Responsible in conjunction with DANA leadership team to develop board and board subcommittee agendas; prepare for Board review relevant reports.

External Relations, Communications & Advocacy

• Serve as the chief spokesperson and visible leader of the organization.
• Represent the interests of nonprofit organizations before legislators, regulatory agencies, philanthropy, and business leaders.
• Advance public policy initiatives that strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem.
• Maintain and deepen relationships with funders, major donors, and institutional partners.
• Build coalitions that advance sector-wide solutions.
• Ensure consistent, mission-aligned communications and brand integrity.
• Engage key stakeholders personally during leadership transitions or major organizational milestones.

Operations & Service Delivery

• Ensure excellence and innovation in consulting, capacity-building programs, accelerator initiatives, and shared services.
• Oversee evaluation and impact measurement systems.
• Assess competitive landscape and differentiate service offerings in a crowded consulting market.
• Ensure operational systems support program delivery efficiently and effectively.
• Align pricing and earned income strategies with financial sustainability goals.

Membership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate authentic relationships with nonprofit leaders statewide.
• Maintain and grow membership engagement and retention.
• Ensure value proposition remains strong amid changing funding conditions.
• Facilitate listening sessions and sector-wide dialogue.
• Strengthen trust across diverse nonprofit constituencies, including organizations of varying size, budget, and mission focus.
• Lead development of annual budgets and long-term financial models.
• Ensure diversified revenue streams, including membership, earned income, grants, and sponsor ships.
• Serve as lead fundraiser, working closely with the Board.
• Ensure strong financial oversight, cash flow management, audit compliance, and grant reporting.
• Oversee risk management, insurance, contracts, and vendor relationships.
• Determine appropriate senior leadership structure (e.g., operations, finance, program leadership) to support organizational complexity.
• Build systems that reduce over reliance on CEO capacity for operational execution.

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven executive leader who combines strategic vision with operational expertise and financial acumen. The new CEO will understand the unique dynamics of statewide nonprofit ecosystems and can build credibility among diverse stakeholders. Having…