Spokes for Nonprofits

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San Luis Obispo, CA
Spokes for Nonprofits

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

11/03/2026

Happy Election Day!

Spokes believes strong communities are built through participation, collaboration and a shared commitment to making a difference.

Every day we witness our nonprofits across SLO County working hard to strengthen our communities and improve lives. Voting is another important way we can all contribute to the places we call home.

Whatever issues matter most to you, we encourage you to make your voice heard today!

11/02/2026

November is here! 🍂 And it happens to be , so for this week's , we thought it fitting to highlight longtime Spokes member SLO Village Movement.

Helping an aging loved one maintain their independence can come with a lot of responsibilities, and SLO Village Movement is a tremendous community resource for those navigating this journey.

They help facilitate older adults living independently in their own homes by connecting them with a screened network of service providers and dedicated volunteers. From transportation and shopping to household chores, gardening and light home repairs, volunteers lend a helping hand with everyday tasks that can become more challenging with age.

We're grateful to have SLO Village Movement as part of the Spokes community and appreciate the important work they do to help older adults age independently!

10/29/2026

We're planning for our upcoming workshop series, The Art and Science of Nonprofit Stories with Dr. Troy Campbell, and we're excited about what's taking shape!

With experience as a creative consultant to Disney, Nike and numerous nonprofits, Troy knows the power of a good story. For nonprofits, storytelling can make all the difference in connecting with donors, inspiring generosity and helping the community understand the impact of their work.

In this two-part series, participants will learn what makes a compelling story and get hands-on practice developing stories they can put to work for their organizations.

And what better place to bring storytelling to life than a theater? We're excited to host both sessions in the rehearsal space at SLO REP's ACT headquarters.

We hope you can join us December 3 and 10! Learn more: SpokesforNonprofits.org

10/27/2026

: Don't wait for a crisis to review your policies!

Clear, up-to-date policies help protect your nonprofit's people, finances and mission. They also provide a roadmap for staff and board members, especially during leadership transitions or unexpected challenges.

This week's takeaway: Make policy reviews a regular part of your organization's operations. As your nonprofit grows and changes, your policies should too.

Not sure where to start? See our full blog post for helpful guidance along with a comprehensive checklist to help you identify gaps and prioritize updates: https://bit.ly/prioritize-policies

10/27/2026

We're back with another , and this week we're featuring longtime renewing member Camp Ocean Pines !🌲

Since 1946, Camp Ocean Pines has been fostering a love and appreciation for the natural world through outdoor adventures, creative activities and shared experiences. Located on 13 acres of Monterey Pine forest overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Cambria, the nonprofit offers overnight summer camps for kids ages 7–17. With a commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, Camp Ocean Pines has helped more than 100,000 campers build friendships, explore new interests and make lasting memories!

We're so happy to have Camp Ocean Pines as part of the Spokes community!

10/21/2026

🚨 LAST CHANCE to register for Spokes Symposium 2026 🚨

Registration closes October 27!

Whether it's drafting grant proposals, preparing board agendas or creating donor communications, chances are someone in your nonprofit is already using AI. But do you know what's happening to the information being shared with these tools?

It's time to take the blinders off.

Join us November 6 for an important conversation about AI and digital safety with expert Clara Fulks, followed by an opportunity to connect with fellow SLO County nonprofit leaders over drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

Don't miss out! Register by October 27: https://bit.ly/spokessymposium2026

10/20/2026

Are your board meetings making the best use of everyone's time?

At a recent Spokes workshop, The 5-Star Board Chair, presenter Alisa Chatinsky shared some practical strategies for making board meetings more productive.

One idea that really resonated? Creating an annual board meeting calendar to ensure important conversations about finances, strategic planning, board recruitment and other governance responsibilities don't get pushed aside by more immediate concerns.

Our recent blog post explores this idea and other ways to make board meetings more effective. We've even included a sample annual board meeting calendar you can adapt for your organization!

🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/effective-board-meetings

10/19/2026

It's time for another , and this week, we're happy to feature Child Development Resource Center (CDRC)!

CDRC does important work supporting children and families in need throughout SLO County. Their programs include full-day child care and therapy for children ages 2–5, a kindergarten readiness program, family counseling, individual and group play therapy, and a child nutrition program.

We always enjoy seeing CDRC staff attending our workshops and taking advantage of opportunities to learn and grow as an organization.

Thank you, CDRC, for being a Spokes member and for all you do for local children and families!

10/14/2026

Development Directors: Join us next Thursday for our final Roundtable of 2026!

Before we head into the busy holiday season, take an hour to connect with fellow SLO County development professionals, share what’s working, talk through challenges and get guidance from one of our community’s most experienced fundraising professionals.

Debby Nicklas, Chief Consultant of Philanthropy at Change Collective Central Coast , will facilitate this last conversation of the year.

Space is limited to 12 participants. Registration is waived for Spokes and Association of Fundraising Professionals- San Luis Obispo County Chapter members.

10/13/2026

Don’t wait until tax time to think about fundraiser reporting.

Fundraising events can come with financial and tax reporting responsibilities that are much easier to address before your event takes place.

From tracking event income and expenses to documenting in-kind donations and understanding what portion of a ticket may be tax-deductible, having the right processes in place ahead of time can save headaches when it’s time to prepare your 990.

Read more on the Spokes blog: https://bit.ly/fundraisers-and-tax-reporting

Address

PO Box 5122
San Luis Obispo, CA
93403

Telephone

+18055472244

Website

http://www.spokesfornonprofits.org/

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