Spokes | Resources for Nonprofits

Find Us On Social Media:

LinkedIn

Public Charities Can Advocate—What You Need to Know

by

Many nonprofits hesitate to engage in advocacy because the rules can feel unclear or intimidating, but advocacy is not only allowed, it’s often essential to advancing your mission. Check out this recent presentation, Public Charities Can Advocate!, developed by Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy program, and its accompanying resources.

These materials break down, in plain language, what 501(c)(3) nonprofits can and cannot do when it comes to lobbying, nonpartisan advocacy, voter engagement, and election-season activities.

Public Charities Can Advocate! Presentation

A Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3) Organizations

A Guide to the IRS Lobbying Regulations for Advocacy Charities

Financial Clarity in Uncertain Times

by

In September, Spokes hosted its first Operations Officer Roundtable, spotlighting Financial Clarity in Uncertain Times. Attendees heard from Erin Hoffman of Collaboration Business Consulting, who shared practical tips for staying resilient—like diversifying income, tracking key numbers, and keeping your team and board aligned.

Access her handout here, and watch for details on our next Operations Officer Roundtable, happening January 2026.

Need More Board Members? Start with the Right Fit

by

At Spokes, we hear it all the time: “We need more board members.” Or, just as often, “We have board members, but they’re not as engaged as we need them to be.”

Finding people willing to serve can be challenging. But filling an empty seat doesn’t necessarily build a stronger board. The goal is to find people who understand what board service requires and bring the skills, perspectives and commitment your organization needs.

BoardSource’s Guide to Recruiting Board Members offers a practical roadmap for doing just that. It recommends starting with clear expectations, updated board member job descriptions and an understanding of the skills and perspectives your board needs before beginning your search.

The guide also covers where to find prospective board members, how to evaluate whether there’s a mutual fit, what to discuss with candidates before they join and how thoughtful orientation and ongoing development can help new members become engaged, effective board leaders.

If board recruitment is on your nonprofit’s to-do list, this is a great resource to bookmark.

Read the full BoardSource Guide HERE.

Can You Really Offer Benefits on a Budget?

by

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.

Mission-Aligned Money Management

by

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.

Guiding nonprofits to achieve their goals through support and expert resources.

How Can We Make A Difference Together?

Spokes welcomes local professionals who would like to share their expertise in support of the nonprofit sector.

Get Started Contributing

Recent Articles