Blog

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

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network For Tennessee’s vibrant tapestry of nonprofit organizations, the news emanating from Washington regarding potential federal funding cuts to AmeriCorps has landed like a stone dropped into a still pond, sending out widening ripples of concern and uncertainty. The recent report detailing an order from Elon

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network During my Easter Sunday visit yesterday to my 98-year-old grandmother at her assisted living center, a conversation arose that highlighted a concerning trend and hit me like a ton of bricks. My grandmother embodies a certain type of Southerner, one who is sweet as pie

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network The very fabric of our present feels different, doesn’t it? It’s not merely a continuation of what came before; it’s a moment etched with a unique intensity, a confluence of challenges and opportunities that demands more than just passive navigation. For those of us called