Nonprofit Advocacy Summit and Day on the Hill
Nonprofits in Tennessee have the power to make a real difference, and connecting with state lawmakers is like turning up the volume on their amazing work! By building friendships with these influential folks, nonprofits can share the incredible stories of the people they help and shine a light on the positive changes they’re making. It’s a chance to show lawmakers firsthand how they’re improving lives across the state. Plus, by teaming up with legislators, nonprofits can unlock exciting opportunities for funding and support, making their impact even bigger! It’s all about joining forces to create a brighter future for Tennessee communities.
Tennessee Nonprofit Network is excited to announce that we will host our 2nd Annual Advocacy Summit on Tuesday, February 4th and Nonprofit Day on the Hill on Wednesday, February 5th in Nashville, TN to create visibility for Tennessee nonprofits at the State Capitol and help our nonprofit partners connect with policymakers.
Deadline to register for Advocacy Summit and Nonprofit Day on the Hill is Friday, January 17th @ 5:00 p.m. CST.
Click the tabs below for more information or register here. This is a members-only event for Tennessee Nonprofit Network members.
Advocacy Summit – Tuesday, February 4th, 2025:
Location: Scarritt Bennett Center, 1027 18th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
Time: 9:00 a.m. CST – 5:00 p.m. CST
This full-day event is designed to empower nonprofit professionals to engage in public policy and advocacy, build relationships with lawmakers, and make a lasting impact on the issues that matter to your organization and community.
Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned pro, we have something for everyone. With sessions tailored to different experience levels, Advocacy Summit will offer three distinct tracks for attendees to customize your experience and provide you with the information and skills you need to be successful and achieve your advocacy-related goals:
- Advocacy 101 for beginners
- Advocacy 201 for those looking to strengthen their advocacy skills and influence
- Advocacy 301 for expert advocates looking to connect with other like-minded nonprofit professionals
Regardless of which track you choose, you’ll find workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities to help you navigate Tennessee’s legislative landscape.
Advocacy Summit Pricing:
- TNN Member Rate (Early Bird through December 20th) = $75
- TNN Member Rate (December 21st – January 17th) = $99
- Non-Member Rate = $199
Deadline to Register is Friday, January 17th @ 5:00 p.m. CST. Register here.
Need more information on planning? Watch this short video here.
Need more information on registration? Watch this short video here.
Nonprofit Advocacy Summit Announces Plenary Speakers
Tennessee Nonprofit Network is excited to announce that we will host our 2nd Annual Advocacy Summit on Tuesday, February 4th and Nonprofit Day on the Hill on Wednesday, February 5th in Nashville, TN to create visibility for Tennessee nonprofits at the State Capitol and help our nonprofit partners connect with policymakers.
In addition to several exciting special guests and breakout speakers, we are thrilled to host Tiffany Gourley Carter, Policy Counsel for National Council of Nonprofits, as our keynote speaker.
Tiffany Gourley Carter is the Policy Counsel at the National Council of Nonprofits and works to advance the public policy priorities for the nation’s largest network of nonprofits. Working in all three levels of government and all three branches of government, she tracks and spots trends of policy threats and opportunities for nonprofits. Tiffany covers a broad range of issue areas, including taxation, budget and spending, employment, government grants and contracts, advocacy rights, and regulations.
Prior to joining the Council of Nonprofits in 2016, Tiffany worked with a state association of nonprofits at the Hawai`i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations, nonprofit law enforcement at the Hawai`i Office of the Attorney General, and policymaking in the Hawai`i State Legislature as a Legislative Attorney. A native of small-town Western Pennsylvania, she earned her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Colorado and her law degree at the University of Hawaii, receiving the CALI Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Organizations. She is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar.
Back by popular demand is Monika Graham, Bilingual Counsel for Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy Program.
Other speakers include:
- Brian Straessle, Sycamore Institute
- Nesha Brown, Conquerer Consulting Group
- Matt Marshall, United Way of West Tennessee
- Fiona McAnally, City of Knoxville
- Gary Gaston & Veronica Foster, Civic Design Center
- Jeannine Carpenter, Chattanooga Area Food Bank
- More announced soon!
Nonprofit Day on the Hill – Wednesday, February 5th, 2025:
Location: TBD – Tennessee State Capitol, 600 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37243
Time: 8:30 a.m. CST – 10:00 a.m. CST with Legislative Meetings to Follow
Nonprofit Day on the Hill is your chance to make a real difference for Tennessee’s nonprofit sector! This powerful event brings nonprofit leaders and advocates together at the State Capitol to raise our voices on the issues that matter most to our communities.
Spend the day meeting face-to-face with legislators, sharing stories of your organization’s impact, and advocating for policies that strengthen our sector and the people we serve. With guidance and resources from the Tennessee Nonprofit Network, you’ll be equipped to meaningfully engage with public and elected officials and make connections with fellow advocates to make your voice heard effectively.
Join us to advocate for the needs of our sector, amplify our impact, and shape a brighter future for all Tennesseans!
Day on the Hill Pricing*: FREE!
Deadline to Register is Friday, January 17th @ 5:00 p.m. CST. Register here.
Need more information on planning? Watch this short video here.
Need more information on registration? Watch this short video here.
*All Nonprofit Day on the Hill participants must be members of Tennessee Nonprofit Network.
How-To Series:
How to Prepare for a Successful Day on the Hill
- Thursday, November 14th @ 2 p.m. CST – Watch the video recording here.
- Thursday, January 16th @ 9 a.m. CST – Register Here
Speaker: Adam Nickas, Capitol Resources, LLC
How to Prepare for Tennessee’s Legislative Session
Tuesday, January 14th @ 2 p.m. CST – Register Here
Speaker: TNN, Natalie Jones
Other Webinars:
Tennessee Nonprofit Network – Member Meetings (Policy-Related Content)
Wednesday, November 13th @ 12 p.m. CST – Watch Video Here: Shaping the Future: Tennessee Nonprofit Network’s 2025 Public Policy Agenda
Information Session on AS/DOH
- Thursday, December 5th @ 10 a.m. CST – Register Here
- Tuesday, January 7th @ 9 a.m. CST – Register Here
Advocacy 101 Prep Session
Dates: Tuesday, January 28th @ 9 a.m. CST
Speakers: TBD
Advocacy 201 Prep Session
Dates: Tuesday, January 28th @ 2 p.m. CST
Speakers: TBD
Advocacy 301 – Panel Discussion on Real World Policy/Advocacy Examples
Dates: Thursday, January 23rd @ 2 p.m. CST
Speakers: TBD
More information about the location of the Nonprofit Advocacy Summit and Day on the Hill will be revealed soon.
Hotel information: Tennessee Nonprofit Network has partnered with Motif on Music Row to provide a great deal (especially for Nashville) on rooms for our Nonprofit Advocacy Summit and Day on the Hill attendees. The hotel is walking distance from the site of our Nonprofit Advocacy Summit and a short Uber ride from the Capitol building.
Rooms at the Motif on Music Row will be $129/night. Each suite has a full kitchen and plenty of space to relax, eat, sleep, get some work done or spend time with those who matter most — family, friends and even your dog. Valet parking is $39/night.
Reserve your room here.
Our Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Featured Sponsors
Healing Trust
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
Our Planning Partners
Nonprofit Resource Center
United Way of West Tennessee
United Way of Greater Knoxville
Center for Nonprofit Management – Middle Tennessee
The goals of the Nonprofit Advocacy Summit and Day on the Hill are to:
How We Do It
The Advocacy Summit and Nonprofit Day on the Hill are thoughtfully planned and coordinated through the collaborative efforts of our dedicated Planning Committee, which includes leaders from across Tennessee’s nonprofit sector. Together, they bring expertise, passion, and insights that helped shape these events, ensuring a meaningful experience for all participants. Our Planning Committee members represent diverse organizations that strengthen both our nonprofits and our communities, and we’re proud to partner with them in amplifying the voice of nonprofits in Tennessee.