Blog

by Natalie Jones, Director of Advocacy and Research, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Mother’s Day has always been a special time of year to celebrate all of the women who have made such a difference in my life – notably my own mom. But this year, the holiday feels different. It’s no longer just about other women; […]

114th Tennessee General Assembly (2026 Legislative Session) Throughout the 114th Tennessee General Assembly, Tennessee Nonprofit Network (TNN) is closely monitoring legislation that may impact nonprofits and the communities they serve. To help our members stay informed and focus their advocacy efforts where it matters most, we have created a legislative tracker that organizes key bills

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network I once had a close friend who worked as a social worker at a large agency serving people experiencing homelessness. Her life was a constant cycle of high stakes and low resources. We spent many evenings deconstructing the daily grind of her office. If she

Tennessee Nonprofit Network is embarking on a multi-year communications initiative intended to uplift positive stories of nonprofits and help highlight the important yet sometimes invisible work of the nonprofit sector. Based on extensive polling, focus groups, and research, we have identified key messages and topics that resonate most with potential donors, volunteers, and community supporters.

We am proud to share that after months of advocacy, HB2112 / SB2642, also known as the RIFT Act, has officially passed both the Tennessee House and Senate. This is a landmark victory for the Tennessee nonprofit sector and marks a significant milestone: it is the first piece of legislation that Tennessee Nonprofit Network has

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network I already know exactly what my opening speech will be at Tennessee Nonprofit Conference in September. Why? Because it is the exact same thing I said at last year’s conference. And it is exactly what I say whenever I speak to anyone: that we are

by Dr. Kevin Dean, President & CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network Let’s talk about my friend Suzanne. (That’s not her real name, mostly because she’s still trying to keep her job after the unfortunate incident described below.) Suzanne was a hardworking middle manager who found herself assigned to the guest registration table at a high-stakes gala.

We are thrilled to officially introduce the newest members of our TeamUp cohorts. Our TeamUp cohorts are designed to provide long-term learning cohorts for nonprofit professionals to both deepen their personal knowledge of best practices while also building the capacity of the organizations they serve. After reviewing a deep pool of impressive applications from across

The 2026 Tennessee Nonprofit Conference is your direct line to the people who move the needle in our state. We are looking for vibrant partners to join us in the heart of Middle Tennessee for an event that promises high-impact networking and unparalleled visibility. This is a premier platform to get your brand in front

by Dorian Hines, Middle Tennessee Regional Director The phrase “Meeting at the Crossroads” often implies a moment where a vital choice must be made. For a nonprofit, this is the point where mission meets reality. It is here that organizations must decide how to handle the policies, procedures, and ethical choices that define them. At