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Effectively Communicating Impact

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In an increasingly competitive grants landscape, we’ve been thinking a lot about how nonprofits can effectively communicate their impact. In fact, we’re excited to collaborate with Carsel Consulting Group to offer an upcoming workshop, Using Data to Strengthen Your Story for Funders, on May 20—save the date!

We’ve also been following Blue Avocado, where they recently polled readers on how they communicate impact. Responses ranged from data dashboards and formal reports to storytelling that centers real experiences.

Read more HERE.

Spokes to Go: Grant Tracking Tools for Nonprofits

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Recently, a local nonprofit reached out to us with a question: What grant tracking software should we be using?

We turned to our network of local nonprofit leaders to gather insights. Interestingly, while many organizations are actively searching for better systems, there wasn’t a clear consensus or go-to platform emerging locally. That’s not unusual. Grant management tools vary widely in cost, features, and complexity, and what works for one organization doesn’t always work for another.

One of our generous Spokes faculty volunteers stepped in to share a helpful resource that offers a strong starting point for exploration: WildApricot’s article, “12 Best Grant Management Software for Nonprofits.” The piece provides an overview of several platforms nonprofits are using to track deadlines, manage funder relationships, store proposal materials, and run reports—all in one place.

Whether your organization is just beginning to apply for grants or managing a growing portfolio of funding opportunities, having a centralized system can make a big difference in staying organized and strengthening your grant strategy over time.

We’re sharing this resource in case it’s helpful for your team as well.
Read the article: 12 Best Grant Management Software for Nonprofits

As always, if your organization has experience with a particular platform you love (or one you don’t!), we’d be glad to hear about it. We’re always gathering feedback and insights to help connect nonprofits with tools and practices that support their work.

Public Charities Can Advocate—What You Need to Know

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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

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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.

Can We Pay a Director to Work for Us

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It’s a common question for small nonprofits: if one of our board members has the skills we need, can we pay them to also serve as our executive director, consultant, or contractor?

The short answer is yes — but with important safeguards.

  • Separate roles: Payment cannot be for the person’s work as a director. Board service itself is almost always expected to be voluntary. But if a director is also providing staff or contractor services — for example, serving as CEO, bookkeeper, or program manager — they may be compensated for that work.
  • Conflict-of-interest rules apply: The director must not participate in board discussions or votes about their own hiring, compensation, or contract. The rest of the board should handle those decisions independently.
  • Document everything: Board minutes should record the disclosure of the dual role, the director’s recusal, and the process the board used to determine that compensation is fair and reasonable. Looking at comparable salaries or fees in your area helps show the board acted responsibly.
  • Think about optics: Even if legal, paying a board member can raise questions from funders or the community. Transparency, clear communication, and good governance practices go a long way toward building trust.

✔ Bottom line: Your nonprofit can pay a director for separate staff or consultant work, but you need to handle conflicts of interest carefully and document the process. Done right, it’s both legal and acceptable.

⚖ Employment law caveat: In addition to nonprofit governance rules, standard employment laws still apply. For example, in California it’s often difficult to classify someone as an independent contractor if they are carrying out core functions of the organization. In many cases, paying a director for staff-level work must be done through regular payroll as an employee, with all the usual tax and labor law compliance.

This article is provided for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For specific guidance, consult with a qualified attorney or HR professional familiar with your organization’s circumstances.

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