For Board Members Archives - Spokes | Resources for Nonprofits

What CRM Are Local Nonprofits Using?

May 29, 2026 by Jordan Jerkovich

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.

Perks for Board Members?

March 27, 2026 by Michael Simkins

Recently, one of our Spokes member organizations inquired about the legality of providing a “perk” to board members. In this particular instance, the perk would be free tuition to an educational program run by the nonprofit. I had some concerns about such a practice. With the help of ChatGPT, I did some research and my concerns were confirmed. Here’s how I responded:

Providing a tuition discount to board members whose children are enrolled in your program is not automatically prohibited, but it raises several important legal and governance concerns that should be carefully considered.

First, under California law, a director who receives a material financial benefit from the organization may be classified as an “interested person.” If multiple board members utilize the discount, this could risk exceeding the rule that no more than 49% of the board may be composed of interested persons.

Second, while this type of discount would not be considered compensation, it does represent a financial benefit tied to board service. The Internal Revenue Service generally prohibits private inurement and limits private benefit in 501(c)(3) organizations. A benefit available only to board members—rather than based on need, employment, or program criteria—may raise concerns in this area.

Third, offering such a benefit introduces ongoing conflict of interest considerations. Board members receiving the discount would have a personal financial interest in decisions related to tuition, enrollment, and program policies, requiring disclosure and recusal. This can complicate governance and affect public trust.

Finally, there is an equity consideration. A tuition discount would only benefit board members with age-eligible children, creating an uneven “perk” structure that may affect board culture and recruitment.

Best Practice Recommendation
Most nonprofits avoid providing financial benefits tied to board service. Instead, they maintain board roles as strictly voluntary and uncompensated. If tuition assistance is offered, it is typically structured based on objective criteria such as financial need or made broadly available to program participants, not linked to governance roles.

Conclusion
While the proposed policy may be legally permissible if carefully structured, it carries sufficient legal, ethical, and practical concerns that it is generally not recommended as a best practice.

Six Steps to Stronger Board Recruitment

September 21, 2025 by Jordan Jerkovich

Here at Spokes, we often hear from nonprofits that one of their biggest challenges is finding and recruiting new board members. This article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy shares six practical steps to strengthen your recruitment prcess—from setting clear expectations, prioritizing mission passion, expanding what “fundraising experience” really means, and avoiding common pitfalls.

Read more HERE.

Setting CEO/ED Compensation: What Boards Should Know for 2026

September 7, 2025 by Michael Simkins

Every year, nonprofit boards face the responsibility of reviewing the salary of their CEO or Executive Director. A thoughtful approach ensures fairness, compliance, and organizational sustainability. Spokes’ new guidance sheet highlights six essentials for boards: staying compliant with IRS rules, reviewing market data, assessing organizational health, evaluating leadership performance, supporting retention, and using a clear, documented process.

To complement this, we’ve prepared a companion snapshot of regional inflation and San Luis Obispo County cost-of-living data. With CPI currently around 3% and local housing costs more than double the national average, boards have the context they need to consider reasonable cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). Together, these resources give boards a transparent, data-driven framework for making confident salary decisions.

Download the full 2-page guidance sheet here.

Spokes members also have access to a regional compensation survey. Log into your Spokes account to request access.

Can You Really Offer Benefits on a Budget?

July 27, 2025 by Jordan Jerkovich

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.