Tierra Fair is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the United Way of Delaware. Jennifer Saienni is the director of nonprofit engagement for Spur Impact.
Every year, a 24-hour giving event shows the world who Delaware is.
Do More 24 Delaware is often described as a day of giving. But to us, it is something bigger. It is a celebration of the nonprofit sector. It shines a spotlight on small grassroots organizations and lets larger nonprofits try something new. It is a reminder that when Delaware comes together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
Since its founding in 2016, Do More 24 Delaware has raised more than $12 million to support nonprofits across the state. In 2025 alone, more than 22,000 donors gave over $2.5 million in just 24 hours, with donations coming from every Delaware ZIP code — impact made possible by thousands of women leading nonprofits, campaigns and community efforts behind the scenes.
During Women’s History Month, we have been reflecting on the women who made this event possible long before we had the privilege of helping lead it.
Do More 24 Delaware did not start with us. It was brought to United Way of Delaware by our CEO, Michelle Taylor, after she saw its success at United Way of the National Capital Area under the leadership of Rosie Allen-Herring, who now serves as interim president of United Way Worldwide. That chain of bold female leadership matters. It shows what happens when women see possibility, work together and decide to act on it.
Since then, other women have helped build and strengthen this campaign. Schlonn Hawkins of United Way of Delaware and Sarah Fulton of Spur Impact played a pivotal role in developing the partnership between the two nonprofits that now power Do More 24 Delaware, expanding nonprofit participation statewide and deepening engagement across the state.
Their collaboration laid groundwork that continues to benefit every nonprofit that participates today. As the next women to lead, we now have the honor of carrying that work forward, and we do not take that lightly.
Tierra’s work at United Way of Delaware centers on strategy, storytelling and vision. She works closely with nonprofits to help them see Do More 24 Delaware as more than a fundraiser: a capacity-building opportunity, a marketing platform and a moment to introduce their mission to new donors. Her passion comes from a deep belief that strong nonprofits create strong communities.
Jennifer’s leadership at Spur Impact shows up in execution, coordination and care. She manages the systems, timelines, onboarding and troubleshooting that make the campaign run smoothly. When nonprofits have questions, she is often the calm voice on the other end of the phone, double-checking the details that keep everything on track.
We approach this work differently, but that is the strength of our partnership. One of us may be focused on big-picture growth and visibility. The other may be ensuring every nonprofit has the tools and support they need to succeed. Together, we blend strategy and service, vision and logistics, momentum and stability.
For us, Do More 24 Delaware is both professional and personal. We have seen what nonprofits mean to families — how a small donation can sustain a program that feeds children, mentors teens or supports working families facing impossible choices. We have seen executive directors breathe a little easier when their campaign surpasses a goal they were not sure they could reach.
Women make up the majority of the nonprofit workforce. We are program directors, development officers, CEOs, volunteers, board members, community organizers and caregivers. Often, we do this work while balancing families, aging parents, second jobs and responsibilities that are rarely visible.
When we talk about Do More 24 Delaware, we are also talking about the women behind the missions. The women leading food pantries. The women running youth programs. The women advocating for survivors. The women building their businesses. The women who refuse to let their communities go without.
Women’s History Month is about honoring legacy. It is also about recognizing momentum. From Rosie’s national leadership, to Michelle’s vision for Delaware, to Schlonn and Sarah’s expansion work, to today’s nonprofit leaders across our state, this campaign has been shaped by women who believe that generosity is powerful and that collaboration is even more powerful.
As we help guide this year’s effort at United Way of Delaware and Spur Impact, we hold that legacy close.
But we also know that this campaign does not belong to us. It belongs to every Delawarean who chooses to give, share a link, tell a friend or cheer on a nonprofit they care about.
When the giving window opens on March 5 at 6 p.m. and donations begin to flow, we will see more than fundraising totals. We will see women lifting other women. We will see neighbors standing with neighbors. We will see Delaware choosing hope.
When women lead, Delaware does not just give.
It grows.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
