Advocacy & Public Policy
Public policy decisions at the local, state, and federal level can have a significant impact on nonprofits and the communities that we serve.
The Tennessee Nonprofit Network (TNN) is the preeminent leader in the state, representing 501(c)3 organizations in advocacy, government relations, and policymaking at the state and federal levels of government. TNN recognizes the current lack of coordinated efforts and lack of advocacy engagement overall by the nonprofit sector. There is a gap between members of the nonprofit sector and the informed shaping of policy by policymakers. TNN will close this gap by committing and focusing on government relations activities through empowerment and amplification of the voice of the nonprofit sector and strengthening relationships between nonprofits and policymakers to ensure that policymaking decisions are informed by nonprofit perspectives.
Our 2025 Policy Agenda
As the trusted resource for leadership, education, research, and action on behalf of the charitable nonprofits in Tennessee, Tennessee Nonprofit Network’s Policy Agenda is built upon our board-approved Public Policy Principles.
Nonprofit organizations are the backbone of our society providing communities with the services and jobs to build and sustain a civil society. We must ensure that nonprofits continue to have access to the support they need to continue their work from federal, state, and local governments.
Beyond our policy agenda, Tennessee Nonprofit Network will expand our efforts to communicate with our elected officials, at all levels, and their staff the importance of the nonprofit sector. We will provide real-time data and research on the sector’s economic and societal impact to all Tennesseans.
The Tennessee Nonprofit Network will work with state partners to advocate for nonprofit organizations to receive policy consideration and relief that is equitable to what for-profit organizations receive. Specifically, TNN’s priorities for 2025 are:
- Nonprofit-Government Grant Relations: Support efforts and policies to improve grant making and reimbursement processes for nonprofits and state agencies.
- Advance the Role of the Nonprofit Sector: Educate policymakers on the scope and economic impact of the nonprofit sector in Tennessee and within their districts. Advocate for nonprofits inclusion and representation in state and federal policy discussions and budget allocations.
- Nonprofit Independence: Support actions to preserve and protect the tax-exempt and nonpartisan status of nonprofits, strengthen the nonprofit economy and workforce, and protect nonprofit autonomy and right to self-governance.
- Charitable Giving & Volunteerism: Promote and expand policies that encourage charitable giving and volunteering. Oppose legislation that disincentive giving and volunteerism.
- Civic Engagement & Advocacy Education: Promote nonprofit civic engagement by educating and empowering organizations to engage in advocacy, public policy, and other civic efforts. Support initiatives that provide training and resources to build nonprofit capacity for effective advocacy, ensuring a strong voice for the sector in state and local policy discussions.
- Nonprofit Workforce: Advocate for efforts aimed at strengthening the nonprofit workforce and positioning the sector as a desirable and competitive employer, including efforts aimed at addressing access to high-quality child-care, fair compensation and benefits, and other workforce development efforts. Oppose legislation or actions that adversely affect the effectiveness of nonprofits, including burdensome employment laws and rules, disparity between nonprofit and for-profit employers, negative funding mechanisms, etc.
- Best Practices & Accountability: Support actions that provide fair and reasonable expectations of accountability and transparency within the nonprofit sector, while working to ensure that any requirements are necessary, reasonable, and non-burdensome. Oppose legislation that selectively exempts certain entities or sectors from accountability standards, ensuring a level playing field for all organizations operating within the nonprofit sector.
- Donor Secrecy & Donor Intent: Protect donor information while supporting proper government oversight of the sector through confidential, non-public disclosures. Support donor intent in giving while not adding unnecessary, burdensome, or duplicative enforcement mechanisms.
Public Policy Principles
Tennessee Nonprofit Network (TNN) works to build the momentum of the nonprofit sector in Tennessee to create equitable, measurable, lasting change. TNN is the premier resource for leadership, education, research, and action on behalf of the nonprofit sector in Tennessee. As a nonprofit membership association, TNN works on behalf of nonprofits to educate public officials about the value and needs of nonprofit organizations and to advocate for public policies that promote, protect and advocate for the sector as a whole.
Tennessee Nonprofit Network will develop a public policy agenda guided by our public policy principles and through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion on behalf of the sector and our community. We will actively work to include all voices with an emphasis on individuals and communities historically underrepresented or excluded.
Tennessee Nonprofit Network (TNN) works to build the momentum of the nonprofit sector in Tennessee to create equitable, measurable, lasting change. TNN is the premier resource for leadership, education, research, and action on behalf of the nonprofit sector in Tennessee. As a nonprofit membership association, TNN works on behalf of nonprofits to educate public officials about the value and needs of nonprofit organizations and to advocate for public policies that promote, protect and advocate for the sector as a whole.
Tennessee Nonprofit Network will develop a public policy agenda guided by our public policy principles and through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion on behalf of the sector and our community. We will actively work to include all voices with an emphasis on individuals and communities historically underrepresented or excluded.
Nonprofits are a critical component of the economy, providing valuable services and enhancing civic life. However, far too often, neither elected officials, their staff or the public, understand the impact nonprofit organizations have on their community’s economy and vibrancy. Additionally, nonprofits are generally not able to compete with for-profit corporations in terms of the benefits or wages offered and are not always able to attract and retain much needed talent. Tennessee Nonprofit Network supports policies that will enable the government to collaborate more closely with the nonprofit community – as it does with the business sector – to pursue innovative initiatives and funding intended to strengthen and sustain the sector.
Government delegates responsibility for vital programs and services that serve its citizenry to nonprofits through grants and contracts. It is imperative that funding and compensation for the delivery of these programs and services be fair, timely and cover the full cost of the services funded. Tennessee Nonprofit Network supports efforts that seek to reform the funding relationship between government and nonprofit service providers, including through the development of best practices.
Tennessee Nonprofit Network supports policies that encourage charitable contributions and volunteer service. Tax policies that broaden incentives for all donors to give, and to give to charities of their choice, are also an important means of encouraging long term support for the sector.
Tennessee Nonprofit Network supports public policies that promote the effective management of charitable resources and nonprofit organizations. Transparency, governance, ethical conduct, responsible philanthropy and corporate giving, and reasonable access to information are underlying values that are integral to achieving this principle. Laws and regulations should not impose overly burdensome obligations or costs that will require nonprofits to invest additional time and money for compliance and take away their ability to provide much needed resources.