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Board Conflict Happens. Are You Prepared to Handle it?

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A key message we emphasized in our recent Board Officer Training was this: once the board has made a decision, the board should speak with one voice. Healthy debate and differing viewpoints are essential to good governance, but once a vote is complete, board members have a responsibility to support the board’s decision publicly—even if they voted differently.

It’s not always easy, which is why we’re sharing this recent Blue Avocado article on navigating board conflict and fostering productive disagreement. It features a compilation of some of the best insights submitted by nonprofit leaders who have navigated these challenges firsthand, offering practical perspectives for boards striving to govern more effectively.

Read the article HERE.

At Spokes, we’re committed to helping nonprofit boards and leaders build these skills before challenges arise. Through our annual Board Academy, Board Officer Training, and customized on-site board training and consulting, we equip directors and officers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to fulfill their roles and practice strong, effective governance.

America Gives: Help Make 2026 the Biggest Year of Volunteer Service in U.S. History

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As part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, the official America250 initiative has launched America Gives, a nationwide effort to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer service in American history.

Nonprofits are encouraged to participate by inviting people to volunteer, celebrating their service, and sharing the difference volunteers make in their communities. Whether your organization relies on volunteers every day or is looking for new ways to engage community members, America Gives offers a unique opportunity to strengthen civic engagement while highlighting the vital role nonprofits play across the country.

Together, we can help create a lasting legacy of service that extends well beyond America’s 250th birthday!

Learn more HERE.

Could Your Nonprofit Be Out of Compliance?

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It happens more often than you might think.

Recently, a small nonprofit contacted Spokes with a question about its filings. After a quick compliance review, we discovered the organization had unintentionally lost its tax-exempt status. Like many nonprofits, they believed they had filed everything correctly and had no idea there was a problem.

Unfortunately, over the years we’ve seen several organizations find themselves in similar situations.

California nonprofits have numerous filing requirements each year. For many organizations, some of those required filings are surprisingly simple—even a one-page form or IRS e-Postcard. But missing just one required federal or state filing can have significant consequences.

While it’s often possible to restore an organization’s good standing, the process can be lengthy, involve additional paperwork and fees, and divert valuable staff and board time. A few minutes spent reviewing your compliance status now can help prevent much bigger headaches down the road.

CalNonprofits recently shared two excellent compliance resources:

We encourage every nonprofit to take a few minutes to review these resources and make compliance part of its annual organizational checkup!

Changes to Medi-Cal & CalFresh Requirements

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At our recent ED/CEO roundtable, we welcomed representatives from Family Service Agency and County of SLO Department of Social Services to discuss changes to community engagement requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh recipients. We also heard from United Way CEO Liz Summer about Volunteer SLO and it being a resource for nonprofits looking to provide volunteer pathways for those affected by the new requirements.

Access the presentation resources HERE and watch the session recording below.

What CRM Are Local Nonprofits Using?

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Choosing a donor database or constituent relationship management (CRM) system can feel overwhelming. With dozens of options available, nonprofits often rely on peer recommendations and real-world experiences to help guide their decisions.

To learn more about what local organizations are using, Spokes recently surveyed nonprofit professionals throughout SLO County. Respondents represented organizations of varying sizes and missions. While the sample size was small, the responses offer a useful snapshot of the systems organizations are using, what they value most, and what they wish they had known before making a decision.

CRM Platforms in Use

CRM Platforms Reported by Respondents

  • DonorPerfect (4)
  • Bloomerang (3)
  • Salesforce (3)
  • Neon CRM (2)
  • Blackbaud (2)
  • Network for Good (2)
  • Little Green Light (1)
  • Wild Apricot (1)
  • Givebutter (1)
  • Other Systems (4)

Some organizations reported using more than one platform, so totals exceed the number of survey respondents.

Survey respondents reported using a wide variety of platforms, with no single CRM dominating the field. Several organizations indicated they use multiple systems to support fundraising, membership management, events, and donor engagement.

The diversity of responses highlights an important reality: the best CRM depends on your organization’s size, fundraising model, staffing capacity, reporting needs, and budget.

Are Organizations Happy with Their CRM?

  • 😊 Satisfied or Very Satisfied: 62%
  • 😐 Neutral: 31%
  • ☹️ Dissatisfied: 8%

While no system was universally praised, most organizations indicated that their CRM meets their core needs for donor management, fundraising, and constituent tracking.

What Nonprofits Value Most

Donor Management

Online Giving Integration

Membership & Event Management

Ease of Use

Reporting & Data Access

When asked what they appreciate most about their CRM, respondents frequently cited the ability to manage donor relationships, process online gifts, track memberships and events, access fundraising data, and streamline day-to-day operations.

Common Challenges

Cost

Reporting Limitations

Learning Curve

Integrations

Even satisfied users noted challenges. Affordability, reporting functionality, staff training, and connecting CRM systems with other software tools were among the most common concerns.

Advice from Your Peers

Start with strategy before evaluating software.

Clearly define your goals, workflows, reporting needs, and staff capacity before comparing platforms.

Talk to other nonprofits before making a decision.

Peer recommendations and firsthand experiences can provide valuable insight that vendor demonstrations may not reveal.

Don’t pay for features you won’t use.

Several respondents cautioned against selecting the most robust or expensive system without first assessing what functionality is truly necessary.

Consider your organization’s unique needs.

A CRM that works well for one nonprofit may not work for another. Membership organizations, performing arts groups, social service agencies, and foundations often have very different requirements.

Takeaway

Whether you’re evaluating a new CRM or making the most of your current one, local nonprofits agree: take time to understand your needs, seek peer input, and choose a solution that fits your organization rather than chasing the latest features.

Interested in learning more? Spokes has access to the full survey responses and would be happy to share additional insights with member organizations. If you’re exploring a particular CRM platform and would like to connect with a fellow nonprofit that has firsthand experience using it, we’re also happy to help facilitate those conversations.

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.

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