Blog

By Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Though we now know United Way to be a beacon of public trust and integrity, one man almost destroyed the legacy of the organization and eroded public trust in nonprofits that we are still feeling today. This is his story. The downfall of William Aramony, […]

By Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network The legacy of Thomas Firmin, a 17th-century London merchant, stretches far beyond the cobbled streets and crowded workhouses of his time. While his immediate impact was felt in the lives of countless individuals he helped, his true significance lies in how he fundamentally reshaped the

By Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network We know Benjamin Franklin as a Founding Father, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a brilliant inventor who harnessed electricity, and a wise statesman who helped shape the nascent American nation. Yet, often overlooked in the chronicles of his remarkable life is his profound

Arthur and Lewis Tappan were more than just successful businessmen; they were devout Christians who believed their wealth carried a moral imperative. Their lives were testaments to a faith-driven philanthropy, channeling their fortunes towards a multitude of causes aimed at bettering society. While their fight against slavery stands as their most recognized endeavor, their philanthropic

The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), or simply the Y, has a rich history rooted in social responsibility and philanthropic giving. Founded in 1844 by George Williams in London, the organization emerged as a response to the challenges faced by young men migrating to cities during the Industrial Revolution. From its humble beginnings, the YMCA

The NAACP’s early history was deeply intertwined with the fight against lynching, a brutal form of racial terror that claimed the lives of thousands of African Americans, primarily in the South. However, the organization’s focus shifted in the mid-1920s towards education inequality, culminating in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in

Cotton Mather remains a figure of immense fascination and controversy in American history. A Puritan minister, prolific writer, and intellectual leader in colonial New England, his life and work offer a window into the complexities of a man driven by faith, ambition, and a desire to shape his world. While he championed philanthropy and social

Nonprofits are constantly exposed to potential liabilities, making insurance a critical need. Whether it’s someone getting injured at an event, property damage resulting from the organization’s activities, or even a lawsuit stemming from professional services offered, the risks are real. Without liability insurance, these organizations face the daunting prospect of covering hefty legal costs and

The Nonprofit Sector Losing Billions in Charitable Giving Each Year! Nonprofits are facing a surge in demand for their services, but funding isn’t keeping pace. This gap is widening due to the ongoing health and economic crises, making it more crucial than ever to incentivize charitable giving. Nonprofits will play a vital role in recovery