Author name: TNN

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network There is a beautiful, dangerous delusion that circulates through the office hallways of the nonprofit sector. It is a myth whispered by veteran executives and believed by idealistic coordinators alike: the idea that because an organization is working toward a higher purpose, its workplace is

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Every few years, a new buzzword drops into the sector, scattering across funding guidelines like confetti. Currently, the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world is collaboration. Funders talk about it the way wellness influencers talk about morning meditation. It sounds peaceful. It sounds elegant. It

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Every seasoned nonprofit professional knows the exact sensory experience of an organizational crisis. The database has crashed, the major donor just redirected their foundational funding to an artisanal cat cafe, and the annual fundraising invitations went out with a typo that accidentally invited everyone to

Tennessee Nonprofit Network is entering an exciting new chapter of growth and statewide representation. To support our mission and deepen our impact across the state, we are thrilled to announce our new board officers, an expanded board of directors, and our expanded Community Action Council. This growing leadership team brings a wealth of expertise, diverse

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Imagine waking up on a Tuesday morning, pouring a cup of coffee, and discovering that a rapture of the remarkably organized has occurred. Every single 501(c)(3) organization in Tennessee has vanished into thin air. No warning, no exit interviews, no lingering smell of potluck chili

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network If you have ever tried to get a room full of Tennesseans to agree on something, you know it is an exercise in profound futility. Ask ten people from Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga about the best barbecue, the correct college football team, or whether

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Lately, I have been teaching our Working with the Media: Telling Your Nonprofit’s Story workshop across the state. This course was created as part of a multi-part series designed to help nonprofits tell their story better to the media, their donors, and the community at

At Tennessee Nonprofit Network, we believe that the strength of our sector relies heavily on the strength of our leadership and operations. As organizations across the state face evolving challenges and opportunities, our goal remains steadfast: to provide the advocacy, resources, and capacity-building support that help our communities thrive. To continue delivering on that promise,

Each year, millions of Americans donate to and volunteer with the charitable nonprofits making a difference in their communities. Many turn to online fundraising platforms to give—but too often, these platforms operate in unethical and unlawful ways. In the U.S., hundreds of online fundraising platforms collect donations for nonprofits without their knowledge or consent, generating

Tennessee nonprofits are navigating a donor landscape where attention is scarce and traditional appeals are often overlooked. To secure the resources your mission requires, you must shift from simple solicitation to strategic engagement. Based on new research by the National Council of Nonprofits and Tennessee Nonprofit Network, we have identified the specific communication drivers that