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Our first CFMT Partner Convening of 2025 brought together nonprofit leaders from across the region, all focused on Child/Youth Development & Education. It was a day filled with meaningful conversations, collaborative problem-solving, and new connections.   We began with a grounding activity where attendees shared their perspectives, the challenges that keep them up at night, and the unique strengths they bring to this collective space.  During a dynamic World Café session, participants rotated through small group discussions on critical topics like financial sustainability, policy and partnerships, program delivery, stakeholder engagement, and organizational operations. Together, they explored challenges and surfaced innovative opportunities to move our sector forward.   Through trend mapping and a gallery walk, we identified key themes, reflected on gaps, and pinpointed areas where additional resources could make the biggest impact.  The day concluded with time for reflection, leaving participants with fresh insights, actionable ideas, and meaningful connections to help advance their work. We’re inspired by the incredible energy and dedication of these leaders and look forward to seeing how this collaboration creates lasting change!

🚀 Nonprofits, are you making these common social media mistakes? Our friends at Catalyst Collective Co are hosting a free webinar to help you avoid five of the biggest pitfalls and boost your online presence. 🗓️ Thursday, April 11 | 🕐 1:00 p.m. CT | 📍 Zoom Learn actionable strategies to strengthen your nonprofit’s marketing and make a bigger impact — don’t miss out! 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gBEeKcBy #NonprofitMarketing #SocialMediaForGood #GivingMatters #CatalystCollective

Ready to make 2025 a standout year for your nonprofit? Here are 5 key trends shaping the sector: 1️⃣ Transparency in AI: Build trust by explaining how AI enhances—not replaces—your work. 2️⃣ Funding Diversification: Stay resilient with varied revenue streams. 3️⃣ Engaging DAF Donors: Strengthen relationships with donor-advised fund supporters. 4️⃣ Influencer Impact: Partner with influencers to reach Millennials & Gen Z. 5️⃣ Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Empower communities to champion your mission. Stay ahead and make your impact even greater this year! LINK:  https://lnkd.in/efkgUHyD

Dr. Kevin Dean, Ed.D., President and CEO of the Tennessee Nonprofit Network wants you to know that being underestimated is your superpower! From facing doubts about age, appearance, and communication style to using those perceptions as motivation, the article emphasizes how embracing authenticity can drive success in the nonprofit world. It's a reminder that resilience, quiet determination, and the willingness to prove others wrong can lead to impactful change. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ezuWWRVH

Gov. Bill Lee has opted Tennessee out of the federal Summer EBT program, which provided $40/month per child for food assistance, leaving a $75M gap in aid for families. Nonprofits like Healing Minds and Souls and The Nashville Food Project are stepping up to fill the void. Healing Minds and Souls serves 500 meals weekly in the 37208 area and offers produce, household items, and hygiene products to families in need. The Nashville Food Project delivers 7,000 meals weekly through 50 partners, supporting child care centers and senior programs while participating in federal meal programs to offset costs. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/4ikz9L8

Young Leaders Council is excited to host its spring “Into the System” Nonprofit Tour on Wednesday, April 2nd from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. at a location TBA. We invite nonprofit organizations to host a booth and take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage directly with YLC spring program participants. The Nonprofit Tour will be structured as a “trade show” style event where spring cohort members will be introduced to the important mission and programs provided by several Middle Tennessee nonprofit organizations. Booth space is limited and registration is required. Booth space is limited—register now! https://lnkd.in/eJY6tW6y

Tennessee Nonprofit Network’s latest report, Navigating Uncertainty, sheds light on nonprofits' challenges and opportunities in 2025. A must-read for anyone invested in the resilience of our sector!

The 48-hour federal funding freeze on January 27, 2025, served as a stark reminder of the risks associated with heavy reliance on government funding. While the order was quickly rescinded, the temporary halt created significant uncertainty for nonprofits, revealing how vulnerable many organizations are to disruptions in cash flow. Programs supporting society’s most vulnerable populations, such as housing assistance, faced immediate risks, highlighting the need for stronger financial resilience in the nonprofit sector. Key takeaways include the importance of maintaining liquidity, diversifying funding sources, and understanding that even legally binding contracts with the government may include clauses allowing funding rescissions. Advocacy groups were instrumental in fighting the freeze, underscoring the value of engagement with organizations that support the nonprofit industry. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4ikqGaV

📢 Calling all Tennessee nonprofits! 📢 The Tennessee Nonprofit Network (TNN) wants to hear from you! 📊 Take the Snapshot of the State of the Nonprofit Sector in Tennessee survey to share your insights on the challenges and opportunities facing our nonprofit community. Your participation will help shape funding strategies and advocacy efforts that directly impact organizations like yours. ✅ Why participate? 🔹 Help funders and advocates better support nonprofits in Tennessee 🔹 Ensure your organization’s needs are represented 🔹 Results will be aggregated and shared to inform grantmaking across the state 🗓️ Deadline: March 7th! TNN encourages you to take a few moments to complete the survey. Answer only what you're comfortable with, but the more detail you provide, the better they can capture the realities of our sector. 📢 Bonus: Some organizations may even be featured to highlight their impact! #TennesseeNonprofits #NonprofitImpact #TNN #NonprofitFunding #CommunityVoices Take the survey now and be a voice for Tennessee’s nonprofit community! ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3QDkYEy

📢 The Shift Toward Outcome-Based Funding in Philanthropy The nonprofit funding landscape is evolving. 77% of funders now prioritize measurable impact over reputation or intent, signaling a shift toward greater accountability and results-driven philanthropy. While this trend fosters transparency and efficiency, it also presents challenges—especially for organizations addressing complex social issues with limited resources for data collection and reporting. However, it also creates an opportunity. Nonprofits that invest in measurement tools, strategic collaboration, and data-driven storytelling will be better positioned to secure funding and demonstrate long-term impact. As outcome-based funding becomes the standard, nonprofits must adapt, innovate, and refine their approaches to effectively communicate their value. How is your organization navigating this shift? 🔗 Read more: bit.ly/4gtHYAu