Blog

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network One of my first jobs out of college was at a mental health organization for children. I was eager to make a difference, filled with the idealism that often accompanies a fresh start in the nonprofit world. I quickly learned that while passion was essential, […]

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network So, you’ve dedicated your life (or at least your 9-to-5, and let’s be real, often your 5-to-9) to making the world a better place. You’re knee-deep in grant applications, volunteer schedules, and the existential dread of fundraising, all for a cause you genuinely believe in.

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network My new favorite hobby is studying human behavior under pressure. Yes, this includes watching videos of public freakouts on YouTube, which can be both hilarious and terribly sad. Or shows like Walking Dead where, in the face of a zombie hoard, people make really bad,

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network The Unspoken Expectation There’s a persistent myth in the nonprofit sector that fundraising is solely the purview of the development staff or the executive director. This belief often leads to a critical disconnect, especially when board members express discomfort with the idea of “asking for

We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Megan Schwalm, President and CEO of the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition in Nashville, TN, as a new member of our Community Action Council! Dr. Schwalm brings a wealth of experience in leadership, educational policy, and public health. With a PhD in Educational Policy and Public Health from the University of

We are thrilled to introduce Lisa Higginbotham, Chief Strategy Officer at Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC), as a new member of our Community Action Council! Lisa brings 25 years of social service experience to Tennessee Nonprofit Network, with expertise in affordable housing, homelessness, mental health, substance misuse, and domestic violence intervention. As a leader,

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Losing a great Director of Development can feel like losing a wheel of your car while you’re driving. Or, perhaps more accurately for nonprofits, it’s like watching your meticulously crafted budget spontaneously combust while your board asks, “But why aren’t we hitting our numbers?!” And

Are you ready for the next step in your nonprofit career? Are you a nonprofit leader looking to nurture your organization’s emerging talent? Then read on… Tennessee Nonprofit Network, in partnership with the Institute for Leadership Development (ILD) at Christian Brothers University (CBU), has established the LeadingUp Program. This year-long, cohort-based nonprofit leadership program is

We are thrilled to introduce Candace Surface, Executive Director of Day 7 in Nashville, as a new member of our Community Action Council! As a rare fourth-generation Nashvillian, Candace has deep roots in the community and is committed to serving the place she calls home. Before leading Day 7, Candace worked in both director and

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Years and years ago, in what feels like a different life, I stepped into the role of a new leader at a nonprofit. I was greener, enthusiastic, and armed with all the textbook knowledge about fostering a collaborative and empowering environment. What I wasn’t armed