Blog

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network You’ve dedicated your time, talent, and energy to a cause you believe in. You’re a nonprofit director or officer. Congratulations! Now, welcome to the wonderful world of personal liability. Unfortunately, sometimes we can have all the passion in the world, but that doesn’t stop bonkers […]

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network This story is 100% true, which, in the fundraising world, means it is either completely unbelievable or depressingly mundane. This one leans toward the former. Early in my career, I found myself in the position of Director of Development for an organization that served children

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network They say a good nonprofit leader wears many hats—strategist, fundraiser, chief morale officer, and, apparently, unpaid, unlicensed, and utterly unprepared trauma counselor. If you’ve spent any meaningful time in this sector, you’ll recognize the look: the glazed-over eyes, the slightly hunched shoulders, the fixed, almost

We are thrilled to introduce Tony Murchison, who has recently accepted the role of East Tennessee Regional Director with Tennessee Nonprofit Network. In this vital position, Tony will be working to provide technical assistance, training, and collaborative opportunities to all non-profit organizations spanning the entire region, from Bristol to Chattanooga. Tony brings a wealth of

Tennessee Nonprofit Network (TNN), with support from the Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund®, is thrilled to announce TeamUp, a brand new initiative designed to empower your organization. Launching in October 2024, TeamUp offers two distinct statewide learning cohorts – one focused on fundraising excellence and the other on mastering volunteer management.

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network My name is Kevin, and I have the attention span of a heavily caffeinated chihuahua. I admit it freely. I’m easily distracted. But honestly, who isn’t in this day and age? It feels less like a personal failing and more like a necessary survival skill

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network The history of transformative success is rarely a story of ideological purity. Instead, it is often a messy, pragmatic narrative where mutual contempt is temporarily shelved in the face of a greater, more immediate threat. To understand why collaboration in the modern nonprofit sector must

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network If you’ve spent five minutes in the Volunteer State—or really, anywhere below the Mason-Dixon—you know one thing for certain: Tennesseans are just so syrupy nice. Bless your heart. Honestly. We’re so sweet, we’d apologize to the wall if we bumped into it. We’ll hold the

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Let’s just get this out of the way: I am a massive, room-clearing, hide-in-the-janitor’s-closet-during-a-fire-drill introvert. I know, I know. You’re probably skeptical. “But you’re always so talkative and friendly at TNN events!” It’s not that I don’t like people. In fact, I love people (a

Tennessee Nonprofit Network is writing to make you aware of a critical issue impacting nonprofits in our state and around the country. Recently, GoFundMe – the crowdfunding platform – created on its website donation pages for 1.4 million nonprofit organizations without their knowledge or consent.  This initiative creates significant concerns for nonprofits: Too many nonprofits