Blog

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network They say I can be “difficult.” I prefer to think of it as “disagreeable,” at least in the enlightened sense championed by Malcolm Gladwell across his various literary and auditory endeavors. One might even describe me as mouthy, aggressive, terse, and frankly, impatient. My tolerance […]

Tennessee Nonprofit Network is thrilled to announce the launch of a vital new resource for our sector: the Tennessee Nonprofit Compensation Survey Report! Understanding appropriate compensation and benefits is paramount for effective nonprofit leadership and strong governance. This comprehensive report, a collaborative effort between Tennessee Nonprofit Network and the esteemed Sycamore Institute, launched in late

In the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. tax policy, proposed changes often send ripples across various sectors. The philanthropic community is currently bracing for one such significant tremor: a potential overhaul of how private foundations are taxed on their net investment income, as part of the current budget reconciliation legislation. This legislative tool, which allows Congress

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network The winds of change continue to swirl through the nonprofit landscape, carrying with them echoes of Silicon Valley’s once-revered, now somewhat sheepishly regarded, mantra: “move fast and break things.” This philosophy, popularized by the rapid ascent of Facebook (now Meta), has even seeped into discussions

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Have you interacted with a nonprofit today without even realizing it? Consider this: from the moment you wake up and perhaps tune into your local NPR station for the morning news, to the educational programs your children attend, the cultural enrichment you experience at a

Dear Friends, Do you remember the buzz of last year’s conference? It was truly something special – our biggest gathering in the Tennessee Nonprofit Network’s 33-year history! The energy was palpable, the connections forged were invaluable, and the learning was inspiring. We all left the conference feeling energized and ready to tackle the year ahead.

We are excited to announce that the Tennessee Nonprofit Conference will return Thursday, August 28, 2025, in the Nashville area. (Our exciting location will be announced very soon!) The conference is presented by Tennessee Nonprofit Network and our community partners. The 2025 Tennessee Nonprofit Conference theme is “The Way Forward.” As TNN hosts our second

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Remember when you first got into the nonprofit sector? Do you remember the feeling? You were probably brimming with optimism, and you wanted to be the change you wanted to see in the world. Over time, though, reality might have set in. We might have

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network I was on a panel discussion once years ago that changed my perception of nonprofit consultants. While I am in no way the arbiter of competent consulting, this one really changed my view of nonprofit consultants. I used to think they were all made equally,

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Well now, isn’t it just the sweetest thing? Here in Tennessee, we pride ourselves on our manners. We hold doors, we say “yes, ma’am” and “no, sir,” and we wouldn’t dream of rocking the boat, bless our hearts. We like things comfortable, smooth, like a