Author name: TNN

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network President Donald Trump’s proposed executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education has ignited a firestorm of debate, casting a long shadow of uncertainty over the future of education in Tennessee and across the nation. While the White House attempts to frame the move […]

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by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Look, let’s get one thing straight from the jump: the world of consultants and salespeople isn’t a monolithic landscape of predatory vultures circling the vulnerable nonprofit carcass. This blog post is not about the many amazing consultants out there or the salespeople you rely to

By Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network This year has broken upon the nonprofit sector with a ferocity few could have fully anticipated. What was once a landscape of comparatively predictable funding cycles and stable community needs has transformed into a turbulent sea of uncertainty. A confluence of seismic shifts—a tectonic rearrangement

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Serving on a nonprofit board is a privilege and a responsibility. It’s an opportunity to leverage your skills and passion to champion a cause that resonates deeply. However, the path to effective board leadership is rarely straightforward. Even with the purest intentions, our brains can

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network The landscape of public policy has become increasingly dynamic, with recent executive actions leaving many nonprofit organizations grappling with uncertainty. From sudden funding freezes to sweeping regulatory changes, these actions can have profound and often immediate ramifications on a nonprofit’s ability to fulfill its core

In 2025, nonprofits are navigating an unprecedented landscape of complex challenges—from escalating social inequalities to the impacts of climate change—problems that are inherently multifaceted and demand collaborative solutions involving a wide array of community stakeholders. However, the sector faces persistent challenges: dwindling resources, fluctuating public engagement, and the need to demonstrate measurable impact in an

Download the Legislative Calendar here. Download the Legislative Report here. NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR: Tuesday: Wednesday:

Executive Summary This report presents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing Tennessee’s nonprofit sector in the early months of 2025, based on a survey of 99 organizations from across the state of Tennessee. Key findings reveal a sector grappling with uncertainty due to political and societal shifts, facing potential funding cuts amidst

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network The Startup Saga: Where Chaos May Rule But Dreams Can Take Flight In the beginning, there’s a room. It might be a cramped office, a borrowed conference space, or even someone’s living room. But wherever it is, it’s buzzing with a unique kind of energy.