Network Delaware Inc
About Network Delaware Inc
Network Delaware helps people in Delaware turn civic interest into real action. That can look like one-on-one coaching, a six-session training program, or support for issue campaigns and community projects that need structure behind them. The throughline is simple: people do better when they have guidance, peers, and a place to plug in. If you care about stronger local leadership and policy work that starts with real people, this is the kind of organization that helps it happen.
What sets Network Delaware apart is how many entry points it gives people who want to lead. Through its DeploySuccess framework, it supports individual leadership development, statewide civic engagement, and fiscal sponsorship for community projects and campaigns. It is built for people who want more than inspiration, they want coaching, tools, and a team around the work.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Change Agent Journey
A tailored leadership development program with 1-on-1 coaching, peer learning groups, learning guides, and personalized action plans.
Change Agent Training Program
A 6-session applied training program on the fundamentals of social change organizing, offered in Fall and Spring cohorts.
Civic Coaching
1-on-1 or small-group coaching sessions with an experienced Civic Coach to support civic goals, action plans, and skill-building.
Youth Activism Program, Civics for Change
A youth activism workshop that teaches basic civics information and organizing skills, led by trained youth facilitators.
Black Staffer University
A training program for aspiring Black politicos and campaign team members focused on campaign work and diversifying paid campaign staff.
Ella Baker Black Organizers Group
A skills-building group for aspiring Black organizers who want to improve their organizing practice and advance racial justice.
Action Teams
Issue- and geography-based groups that meet regularly, receive coaching, use civic engagement tools, and work on policy action and neighborhood projects.
People's Congress
A legislative training ground that uses simulation and a People's Platform to help participants learn how state and local government works.
Civic Action Alerts
A weekly email alert with policy updates, local and state news, community actions, and calendar items.
Community Policy Initiative
A public policy support effort that prepares community members to be policy analysts and researchers and creates fact sheets for issue campaigns.
Issue Campaign Fellowship
A 3-month fellowship that trains participants to run issue campaigns and build teams that can continue after the fellowship ends.
Campaign to End Debtors' Prison
A coalition campaign working to reform court fines and fees and eliminate poverty as an element of criminal punishment.
Black Mothers in Power
A statewide campaign to build awareness, create community programming, and improve regulations and policies related to Black maternal health.
Delaware Cares Coalition
A statewide campaign for paid family and medical leave in Delaware.
Safe Communities Campaign
A coalition campaign promoting policies that protect immigrant communities and keep state and local agencies separate from immigration enforcement.
Fiscal sponsorship and social good project support
Operational and fiscal sponsorship support for social good projects and issue campaigns.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Network Delaware's mission is to ensure every level of change agent succeeds.
Who they serve
People in Delaware who want to build civic leadership, organize around issues, or launch projects and campaigns, including young adults, aspiring organizers, Black organizers, campaign staffers, and community groups.
Their impact
- coached, trained, and supported over 250 people through its internal civic leadership ladder
- maintained or exceeded a 60% threshold for volunteer leadership positions held by individuals of color
- provided fiscal sponsorship and operational support for 9 projects
- Civic Action Alerts reached approximately 800 readers each week
- Network Action Teams covered 25% of Representative Districts in Delaware
- sent over 200 letters to legislators supporting SB39
- The Delaware Immigrant Fund raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support children and families across Delaware
How your donation helps
- coaching and leadership development for people building civic skills
- peer learning, mentorship, and training programs
- support for issue campaigns and community projects
- fiscal sponsorship and operational support for social good projects
- statewide civic engagement tools and alerts
Our story
Network Delaware launched on January 30, 2017, with a straightforward goal, build a network of individual and organizational change agents that could create lasting impact in Delaware. Since then, its work has grown into statewide leadership development, civic engagement, and policy change support for individuals, teams, and organizations.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Network Delaware Inc’s services.
People can sign up for Civic Coaching or the Change Agent Journey to receive 1-on-1 or small-group support, peer learning, mentorship, action plans, and resources. Coaching is available in digital and in-person formats, with sessions described as 30 to 60 minutes depending on the offering.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
There is an inherent kindness and care warped in Network Delaware's DNA that is so appreciated. It always feels like such a safe space. I do not take this for granted. For so long, I wondered about how to contribute to my community and this great state of Delaware that I call home. Through Network Delaware I found an avenue to being civically engaged and to be active in the community.
I think often of the unwavering support you gave us through Network Delaware to be a remarkable change agent. Your ability to teach me how to lead from behind has had a great effect on me.
I'm blown away by the support Network Delaware has provided me this year. Their team went above and beyond to help me bring my project to life, even when faced with challenges.
Your support is extraordinarily helpful. The coaching really is a great way to start the end of my week with direct guidance and accountability.
Network Delaware's training and coaching gave me the platform and opportunity to learn about my style of leadership, and how it can be used to affect change in the community.
The Organizing Change Training program gave me a chance to sit back and study social activism, before starting a project.
Events
Social Change Summit
annualAn all-day gathering for change agents across Delaware with breakout discussions, a showcase of teams and organizations, lunch, and snacks.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Network Delaware Inc has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Join an Action Team
- Take action through Civic Action Alerts
- Write letters to legislators for issue campaigns
- Canvas outside the courthouse for the Campaign to End Debtors' Prison
- Help start or support a new issue campaign
- Attend or host the Civics for Change youth activism workshop
Recognition & press
In the media
- ACLU of Delaware coverage of Network Delaware's advocacy for a COVID-19 court fines and fees moratorium
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How can someone get involved if they are new to organizing?
They can start with Civic Coaching, the Change Agent Journey, or one of the training programs. Those options offer coaching, peer learning, and step-by-step support.
What does the Change Agent Journey provide?
It offers tailored coaching, monthly peer learning groups, learning guides, and personalized actions and resources.
What does Civic Action Alerts include?
It includes policy action alerts, local and state news summaries, community action ideas, and calendar items for ways to get involved.
How do issue campaigns work with Network Delaware?
Issue campaigns can get coaching, training, planning support, field organizing, communications support, outreach, volunteer engagement, and fiscal sponsorship when needed.
What is the People's Congress?
It is a legislative training ground that uses a simulation and a People's Platform to help participants understand how state and local government works.
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