Blog

by Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Read the first part of this blog series here. Last week, a coworker and I were visiting Nashville for a slate of meetings, and I somehow managed to forget her and leave her at the restaurant. Yes, I left her! I had to turn around and […]

by Natalie Jones, Director of Advocacy and Research, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Tennessee nonprofits, we know you’re the heart and soul of our communities, but it takes more than spirit to move your mission forward. Let’s be real—securing funds to keep your operations running can be a real headache. That’s why we’re excited to share an

Have you ever worked with a nonprofit with enough rules to make your head spin? How are we supposed to do our jobs when our employee handbook is 20,000 pages long and our fundraising department has 465 KPIs? The answer to the complexity may not be what you expect: simplicity. In “Simple Rules: How to

by Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Nonprofit leaders wear so many hats and have so many competing priorities that stopping to breathe and make sure your employees are as effective as possible can seem like “just another job.” Yes, strategic planning, fundraising, and program management are crucial, but culture eats strategy for

by Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Congratulations, new executive director! You’ve officially earned your stripes in the wild and wonderful world of nonprofits – a land of big hearts, tight budgets, and a whole lot of passionate personalities. And just like any vibrant ecosystem, there are bound to be a few… ahem…

There once was a beloved community theater that had graced its small Tennessee town for decades. Performances were packed, donations flowed freely, and the organization was a source of local pride. But behind the scenes, a storm was brewing. Years of financial mismanagement and declining ticket sales had created a deep financial hole. The long-time

by Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network In the intricate dance of human interaction within nonprofit organizations, subtle yet powerful forces known as attributional biases can shape perceptions, influence judgments, and ultimately impact the overall culture and effectiveness. These biases, often operating beneath conscious awareness, can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and missed opportunities

by Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Nonprofits’ decisions often have profound consequences for the communities they serve, and cognitive biases can act as silent saboteurs. These mental shortcuts, while seemingly efficient, can lead decision-makers astray, fostering a culture of misjudgment and missed opportunities. Imagine a board member selectively seeking data to validate

by Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Passion and purpose often intertwine in nonprofit leadership, but cognitive biases and heuristics can subtly influence decision-making, shaping interactions, and ultimately impacting the organization’s culture and reputation. These mental shortcuts, while often helpful in navigating complex situations, can also lead to blind spots and skewed perceptions.

by Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Congratulations, your nonprofit board has successfully hired a new executive director (ED)! 🎉 Now what? The nonprofit sector is currently experiencing what can only be described as a mass exodus of biblical proportions. Seasoned leaders are fleeing for greener pastures (or perhaps just saner ones), while