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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 […]

Tennessee Nonprofit Network launched three Community Action Councils (CACs) in 2024 to serve as ambassadors for our organization and be our “ears to the ground” in their local communities to unearth community needs and challenges. You can learn more about the full roster of CAC members here. This week, we introduce you to Samantha Wigand in

Tennessee Nonprofit Network launched three Community Action Councils (CACs) in 2024 to serve as ambassadors for our organization and be our “ears to the ground” in their local communities to unearth community needs and challenges. You can learn more about the full roster of CAC members here. This week, we introduce you to Kate Haywood of

Tennessee Nonprofit Network launched three Community Action Councils (CACs) in 2024 to serve as ambassadors for our organization and be our “ears to the ground” in their local communities to unearth community needs and challenges. You can learn more about the full roster of CAC members here. This week, we introduce you to Keena Friday-Gilbert. Keena

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