ABN Is 300 Members Strong!

The Alliance for Better Nonprofits (ABN) is proud to announce the organization has reached 300 members as of July 30th, 2018. ABN is a membership-based nonprofit organization serving nonprofits in the 25 upper East Tennessee counties by helping them achieve their missions and make a bigger impact in their communities. ABN’s goal is to walk with the region’s nonprofits on their journey toward efficiency and effectiveness through training, consulting, and access to resources.

ABN is currently in its third year of service, and is the first nonprofit resource center in East Tennessee. ABN officially opened its doors in September 2015, and is headquartered at The Regas Building in downtown Knoxville.

In ABN’s first two and a half years, over 900 people representing 388 nonprofits throughout East Tennessee participated in over 150 workshops, four conferences, and 85 networking or affinity group events. ABN’s team of expert consultants worked on 122 individual consulting jobs, accounting for approximately 1,897 hours of consultation individually tailored to the needs of their clients.

“In less than three years, ABN has seen its vision of better communities through better nonprofits become a reality.  Our board and staff are proud to partner with so many organizations to make a difference in the lives of countless East Tennesseans every day,” said Jerry Askew, ABN’s President.

Partners and supporters of ABN include Knoxville Leadership Foundation, the United Way of Greater Knoxville, East Tennessee Foundation, The Haslam Family Foundation, Pilot Flying J, Clayton Foundation, Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee, Jenny and Randy Boyd, Scripps Networks Interactive, Home Federal Bank, and the University of Tennessee, among others.

The 300th member of ABN’s 2018 membership roster is Sevier Solid Waste, Inc., a nonprofit organization with the mission of preserving our beautiful Smoky Mountain home for generations to come.  Sevier Solid Waste composts all organic waste from Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and recycles over 4,000 tons of cardboard throughout the county each year.

One of the original 2015 members of ABN, Young-Williams Animal Center, is still a member today. Janet Testerman, CEO of Young-Williams, said, “the Alliance for Better Nonprofits has been a tremendous resource for Young-Williams Animal Center and our people. The ABN curriculum addresses every aspect of a nonprofit and provides incredibly valuable tools that equip an organization’s members to be successful and enable an organization to be the best possible version of itself. Knoxville is lucky to have such an asset, as ABN’s team is truly invested in our community and the causes that are tackling our society’s greatest issues.” Young-Williams Animal Center’s mission is to lead the community to end pet homelessness, promote animal welfare, and enhance the human-animal bond.

Thank you to all of our members, supporters, and partners – you make our region a better place to live, work, and play, and we couldn’t do what we do without you!