Nonprofits are no stranger to tight budgets, and in today’s climate, every dollar counts even more. But offering competitive healthcare benefits is key to reducing burnout and improving staff retention. This article explores practical, cost-conscious strategies for making health coverage more accessible.
Read the article HERE.
While many nonprofits are working hard to make ends meet, some are fortunate to have built up a surplus or reserve—and with that comes the opportunity to invest in ways that can support and even grow their mission. However, traditional investment strategies don’t always align with a nonprofit’s values or purpose. That’s why we recently hosted a class on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, led by our friends at Blue Marble Investments. They shared how mission-aligned and sustainable investment options—such as fossil fuel–free portfolios—can perform on par with traditional investments while staying true to your organization’s ethics.
Check out a recording of the presentation here.
Did you know there are more than 1,500 charitable nonprofit organizations in San Luis Obispo County? By law, each of them must be governed by a board of directors.
Serving as a director on a nonprofit board offers valuable benefits to both you and your community. You’ll develop leadership skills, expand your network, and make a meaningful impact on a cause you care about. Your volunteer service ensures the organization stays mission-focused and effective, supporting positive change and enhancing the quality of life in your community.
In the video below, Spokes CEO Michael Simkins addresses members of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, sharing deeper insights into the benefits of nonprofit board service—and why it’s a valuable opportunity for everyone. He emphasizes the importance of local employers supporting and encouraging employee involvement, highlighting the transferable skills employees gain and bring back to the workplace.
Interested in serving on a nonprofit board but unsure about the responsibilities and level of commitment involved? Spokes offers a free, live 45-minute online class—Board Service 101—quarterly.
Register for an upcoming live session:
Or, view the following recording of a past Board Service 101 class:
In our recent Board Academy session focused on Fundraising and Resource Development, we discussed the importance of storytelling. To create a lasting emotional connection with the general public, media and donors, your board of directors––and actually every member of your organization––should be prepared to tell their own impactful story as it relates to your organization’s mission.
Given recent executive actions affecting nonprofits, storytelling to donors, media and Congress is increasingly critical. You need to be able to effectively communicate why your organization is important, and what would happen if it wasn’t here?
Here are some components of effective nonprofit storytelling from ChatGPT:
Check out this Forbes article for more storytelling tips and tools. If you’re looking to invest in your storytelling abilities, the annual Nonprofit Storytelling Conference is a great resource.
During a recent Development Directors Roundtable, a participant expressed disappointment that a new fundraising campaign, which she had been excited about and had high hopes for, was yielding low returns. A discussion ensued about whether to bolster efforts—or throw in the towel.
While everyone agreed the campaign seemed like a strong idea, it was suggested that some further analysis was necessary.
I found an article from OneCause that offers a few reasons why taking time to analyze your fundraising campaign or event is worthwhile:
HERE are their 5 Tips for Analyzing Your Online Fundraising Campaigns.
Guiding nonprofits to achieve their goals through support and expert resources.
Spokes welcomes local professionals who would like to share their expertise in support of the nonprofit sector.
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