Momentum Nonprofit Partners rebranded to Tennessee Nonprofit Network, signifying the official launch of Tennessee’s first statewide nonprofit association. The organization will leverage national nonprofit expertise, statewide research and insight from partners across Tennessee to provide resources that promote operational excellence among partner organizations while advocating for policies at the State Capitol that strengthen nonprofit business operations. A formal programmatic announcement on Nov. 29 will outline how partners can engage with and access resources from the organization.
“Nonprofits are the sixth largest industry in the state of Tennessee, and our economic and workforce investments undeniably contribute to the growth and success we’re seeing in our state,” said Kevin Dean, President and CEO of Tennessee Nonprofit Network. “Tennessee is at its best when its nonprofit community is vibrant – and as our state’s growth trajectory continues, we knew it was a critical time to unite the sector. We want to ensure all organizations, no matter the size or mission, have opportunities to form meaningful connections and make their voices heard at the state level.”
TNN will have three primary areas of focus: forging meaningful connections between Tennessee’s nonprofit organizations; advocating for operational policies at the state level that benefit all nonprofit organizations; and increasing access to data, research and sector-specific materials that can help nonprofits make informed decisions about their services.
“We want small grassroots organizations and large-scale nonprofits, congregations, and all of the organizations that have a 501(c)(3) status, to find common ground – and then advocate for those policies that serve the sector’s needs as a whole,” Dean said. “The goal is for voices from across the state, rural and metro, small and large, to inform elected leaders as they make decisions that impact how we work.”
The organization will operate out of Memphis, Tennessee, with staff spread across the state. Its board of directors will be comprised of industry leaders who work in Tennessee’s varied communities, with representation on the board being proportionate to the state’s regional population.
While TNN will advocate for nonprofit business practices at the state level, its work will not focus on capacity-building programming in individual communities. It recognizes that, while Tennessee nonprofits benefit from unification around operational policy and shared access to resources, the unique needs of individual communities mandate programming that is rooted in and delivered by people who call that region home. For this reason, TNN will continue to serve as the regional nonprofit association for the Memphis area and provide localized training and programming in its home market of Memphis while sharing insight with capacity-building organizations in other markets.
Membership will be free and open to organizations that hold a 501(c)(3) designation and operate in Tennessee, including nonprofits, foundations, congregations, and tribal organizations. Membership will open on January 1, 2024. Any nonprofit organizations interested in joining TNN should visit tnnonprofits.org for details about upcoming info sessions.
About Tennessee Nonprofit Network
Tennessee Nonprofit Network, formerly Momentum Nonprofit Partners, was founded in 2023 to support the needs of Tennessee’s nonprofit sector. Through advocacy, data sharing, network building and research, the organization will drive efforts that empower nonprofits across the state to make informed decisions that strengthen operations and service outputs. In its home market of Memphis, Tennessee, the organization serves as the sector’s leading capacity-building organization, providing training and support programming that challenges nonprofits to consider how they function and make informed decisions to better execute their missions. To learn more about Tennessee Nonprofit Network, visit tnnonprofits.org.