About AAN

The Alabama Association of Nonprofits (AAN) is a membership-based organization formed to serve the needs of Alabama's growing nonprofit sector. Information obtained through focus groups conducted following our transition in late 2009 helped direct the Association to develop and focus on three key areas:

  • Educate

    Meaningful Learning

    We support and offer high-quality educational opportunities that elevate and enhance the individual professionals and volunteer leaders within nonprofit organizations.

  • Elevate

    Culture of Accountability

    We are the state leader in helping organizations maintain the highest standards of ethics and accountability. We offer and promote the Standards of Nonprofit Excellence Seal to those organizations that can demonstrate and maintain a commitment to the 6 Guiding Principles that include 54 benchmarks that embrace honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust, compassion, responsibility and transparency.

  • Connect

    Strategic Collaborations

    We create strong, vibrant and diverse networks that offer knowledgeable, collaborative and consultative relationships that exceed expectations. These networks leverage human and cash resources to the fullest potential.


The Alabama Association of Nonprofits (AAN) was founded in 1996 under its former name of the Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama as a collaborative effort of Alabama Power Company, the United Way of Central Alabama and the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. Our mission is a simple one – to strengthen the capacity of Alabama's nonprofit sector through professional development, advocacy and management support, all resulting in better communities and a stronger Alabama.

AAN is the only Association of its kind in Alabama dedicated exclusively to serving the nonprofit sector. Hundreds of organizations, nonprofit executives and community stakeholders are impacted annually through professional development courses, advocacy events, speaking engagements by Association executives and the annual Nonprofit Summit.

Alabama’s nonprofit sector generates more than $10 billion annually for our state, holds over $20 billion in assets, and employs 5% of Alabamians. Alabama’s 4,735 active nonprofits are economic developers, human services providers, community builders and advocates for change. Our executives and volunteers represent the very best Alabama has to offer, and give selflessly of their time, talent, energy and resources toward one common goal – to strengthen our communities by taking care of those in need.

Our Mission

The mission of the Alabama Association of Nonprofits (AAN) is to strengthen and support Alabama nonprofit organizations in serving their communities.

Our Vision

For Alabama to have a healthy, responsive nonprofit sector that improves the quality of life for all citizens.

Staff

Danielle Dunbar, Executive Director
danielle@alabamanonprofits.org

Carla Smotherman, Business Manager
carla@alabamanonprofits.org

Gaynelle Jackson, NELI Program Manager
gaynelle@alabamanonprofits.org

Board Members

Carolyn Marston, Chair - Community Foundation of South Alabama

Adam Muhlendorf, Co Chair - Longleaf Strategies

Keith Wolfe-Hughes, Treasurer - Opera Birmingham

Jim Pool, Secretary- Maynard Cooper

Hallie Bradley - Alabama Power Foundation

John Eagan - Truist

Anna Kathryn Gresham - Payroll & Benefit Solutions

Rachel Hagues, PhD - Samford University

DaShana Jelks - YWCA Central Alabama

Daniel Kasambira, Past Chair - United Way of Madison County

Eleanor Reeves - Beckwith Camp & Retreat

Chandra Scott - Alabama Possible

Jeremy Thornton, PhD - Samford University

Jackie Wuska - United Way of West Alabama