Tennessee Nonprofit Network

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

Coming soon!

Morning Session:

8:00 a.m.  

Registration (including breakfast & networking) 

9:00 a.m.  

Welcome & Opening Remarks 

9:15 a.m.  

Workshop # 1 – Bolder Advocacy  

10:45 a.m.  

BREAK  

11:00 a.m.  

Breakout Sessions* (3) – TBD  

12:00 p.m. 

LUNCH 

Afternoon Session:

1:00 p.m.  

Welcome & Opening Remarks  

1:15 p.m.  

Keynote – Tiffany Gourley Carter, National Council for Nonprofits   

2:15 p.m.  

Preparation for Day on the Hill – Breakout by 101, 201, and 301  

3:30 p.m.  

BREAK  

3:45 p.m.  

Panel Discussion

4:45 p.m.  

Wrap-Up & Dismissal  

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.

Coming soon!

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  

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 Sponsor
Healing Trust

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:

Create visibility for the nonprofit sector and help nonprofits connect with policymakers.
Advocate on the importance of nonprofits and the issues important to nonprofit sector partners.
Encourage the TN General Assembly to view the state’s nonprofit sector as a vital and key resource on public policy issues.
Build your organization’s relationship with lawmakers and their staff.

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.

Help us create equitable, measurable, and lasting change in Tennessee.

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