Spokes for Nonprofits

Spokes for Nonprofits Spokes is a nonprofit that provides resources to empower San Luis Obispo County nonprofits to fulfil

We’re going to take a moment to brag about our CEO. 😊Big congrats to Michael Simkins, Ed.D., for receiving the SESLOC Ca...
09/03/2026

We’re going to take a moment to brag about our CEO. 😊

Big congrats to Michael Simkins, Ed.D., for receiving the SESLOC Cares for Community Award, recognizing his more than 17 years of volunteer service and leadership with San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre!

Michael has served SLO Rep as a longtime board member, multiple-term Board President and current Board Secretary, helping guide the organization through tremendous growth and toward an exciting next chapter: the development of its new downtown theater.

Here at Spokes, we get a front-row seat to Michael’s commitment to our county’s nonprofits and to the people who give their time, talents and leadership to help them thrive. We’re so proud to see his own dedication to volunteer service recognized in this way.

Congratulations, Michael! Thank you for all you do for our nonprofit community.

Read more about Michael's recognition and watch the KEYT feature: https://bit.ly/MichaelSesloc

Have you been approached to serve on a nonprofit board? Know someone who would make a great addition to your organizatio...
09/02/2026

Have you been approached to serve on a nonprofit board?

Know someone who would make a great addition to your organization’s Board of Directors?

Join us (or help spread the word!) about our free quarterly introduction to nonprofit board service, happening next week! It’s a great starting point for anyone considering board service and wanting to better understand the role and responsibilities.

Scan the QR code to learn more and register!

: When choosing a CRM, start with your organization’s needs—not the software!We get this question at Spokes a lot, and ...
09/02/2026

: When choosing a CRM, start with your organization’s needs—not the software!

We get this question at Spokes a lot, and it came up again in last week’s Development Directors Roundtable: What CRM is everyone using?

As we went around the virtual table, the answers varied.

And that makes sense. There’s no one-size-fits-all CRM. Some come with a hefty price tag. Some specialize in ticketing, membership or fundraising. Others offer more features than a small nonprofit may ever need.

Earlier this year, Spokes surveyed local nonprofits about the CRMs they use—what they like, what they don’t and what they wish they’d known before choosing one.

The takeaway? Define your needs, budget, staff capacity and must-have features first. Then do your research and talk to your nonprofit peers!

See what our Spokes CRM survey uncovered: https://bit.ly/sloconpocrm

As students across SLO County head back to school, we’re spotlighting a longtime Spokes member that knows how to make l...
09/01/2026



As students across SLO County head back to school, we’re spotlighting a longtime Spokes member that knows how to make learning memorable: Friends of the Elephant Seal

Since 1997, FES has been educating people about elephant seals and other marine life while inspiring ocean stewardship. Through school programs, internships, community science and more, they create opportunities to learn about the remarkable elephant seal colony at Piedras Blancas—now an estimated 25,000 seals along more than eight miles of coastline.

Over a million visitors from around the world come each year, and FES's 100 volunteer docents talk with more than 200,000 of them!

We’re very grateful to Friends of the Elephant Seal for being a longtime, consistently renewing Spokes member. Thank you for your continued support and for all you do to educate and inspire!

We’re excited to welcome back Spokes faculty volunteer and NPO Success CEO Alisa Chatinsky as she introduces us to her ...
08/27/2026



We’re excited to welcome back Spokes faculty volunteer and NPO Success CEO Alisa Chatinsky as she introduces us to her Making of a 5-Star Board Chair Leadership Lab & Coaching Program.

Alisa has previously led immersive Spokes classes on succession planning and organizational assessment, generously sharing her expertise with our nonprofit community when she escapes the Arizona heat each summer and fall.

Current and prospective board chairs and presidents are invited to join us for this interactive lunch session exploring what it takes to lead a high-performing nonprofit board through stronger governance, effective meetings, and strategic leadership.

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/5StarChair

: Once your board has voted on an issue, respect the outcome and speak with one voice.Healthy debate and differing view...
08/26/2026

: Once your board has voted on an issue, respect the outcome and speak with one voice.

Healthy debate and differing viewpoints are essential to good governance. But once a decision is made, board members have a responsibility to support that decision publicly, even if they voted differently.

Board conflict happens, and navigating it isn’t always easy. For practical insights from nonprofit leaders on managing disagreement, working through conflict, and strengthening board governance, head over to the Spokes blog 👉 bloghttps://bit.ly/boardconflict

It’s ! This week, we’re highlighting renewing Spokes member Operation Surf, which supports injured military members and...
08/24/2026

It’s !

This week, we’re highlighting renewing Spokes member Operation Surf, which supports injured military members and veterans by harnessing the healing power of the ocean to restore hope and renew purpose.

Through curriculum-based surf therapy programs, Operation Surf combines nature, connection, and peer support to help participants build tools for continued wellness. Research on the program has shown meaningful improvements in PTSD symptoms, depression, and participants’ sense of self-efficacy.

We’re proud to have Operation Surf as part of the Spokes community and celebrate the impact they’re making...one wave at a time. 🌊

Last week, Michael and Jordan had the opportunity to speak at the Human Resources Association of the Central Coast mon...
08/21/2026



Last week, Michael and Jordan had the opportunity to speak at the Human Resources Association of the Central Coast monthly meeting at the Madonna Inn!

They enjoyed connecting with a room full of dedicated HR professionals—many of whom are already actively involved with local nonprofits—and sharing more about Spokes, our SLO County Nonprofits Get It Done campaign, and our efforts to expand our network of HR professionals willing to share their expertise with our nonprofit community.

Thank you to the HRACC for having us and for being a Spokes member!

Spokes regularly hears from well-meaning community members who are passionate about a cause and considering starting a n...
08/19/2026

Spokes regularly hears from well-meaning community members who are passionate about a cause and considering starting a nonprofit. What many don’t realize is just how much time, money, and ongoing responsibility it takes, OR that another organization may already be doing similar work.

Before taking the leap, it pays to understand the realities and explore your options.

Join us NEXT THURSDAY, live in SLO, for Learn Before You Leap: Realities of Starting a Nonprofit. Attorney Chris Toews and Spokes CEO Michael Simkins will offer a realistic look at what it takes to start and sustain a nonprofit and what to consider before deciding it’s the right path for you.

: Keep your nonprofit in good standing!Recently, a nonprofit reached out to Spokes with a question about its filings. A...
08/18/2026

: Keep your nonprofit in good standing!

Recently, a nonprofit reached out to Spokes with a question about its filings. A quick compliance review revealed something they didn’t realize: the organization had unintentionally lost its tax-exempt status.

California nonprofits have several annual filing requirements, and some are as simple as a one-page form or IRS e-Postcard. But even an unintentional missed filing can lead to extra paperwork, fees, and valuable staff and board time spent getting back into good standing.

This Tuesday’s takeaway: Make compliance part of your nonprofit’s annual organizational checkup. A few minutes now could prevent a much bigger headache later.

We’ve shared a helpful nonprofit compliance checklist from CalNonprofits, along with additional resources and tips, on our blog.

Read it here: https://bit.ly/nonprofitfilings

Address

PO Box 5122
San Luis Obispo, CA
93403

Telephone

+18055472244

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