For Executive Directors Archives - Spokes

How Long Should an Executive Director Stay?

September 4, 2026 by Jordan Jerkovich

For longtime nonprofit leaders, the thought of stepping away can raise some uncomfortable questions: Who will care about the mission as much as I do? Who knows what I know? And who is truly equipped to take the reins?

One exercise worth considering: Look at the three biggest things you worked on this year and label each one “defending” or “building.” How much of your energy is going toward protecting what already exists, and how much is focused on preparing your organization for what comes next?

It’s a simple exercise from a recent Applied Wisdom for Nonprofits article, “How Long Should an Executive Stay in the Job?” The author explores how longtime leaders can naturally become more focused on protecting what they’ve built and raises some thought-provoking questions about leadership longevity and preparing an organization for its next chapter.

Read the article here.

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

July 10, 2026 by Jordan Jerkovich

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.

Changes to Medi-Cal & CalFresh Requirements

June 13, 2026 by Jordan Jerkovich

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?

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.

Leadership Change Is Inevitable, Preparation Is Optional

May 14, 2026 by Jordan Jerkovich

Last week at our in-person ED/CEO Roundtable, nonprofit leaders gathered to discuss one of the most important — and often avoided — organizational topics: succession planning.

Whether an executive director abruptly leaves because they “won the lottery” (preferred by most participants!), gets “hit by a bus” (much less preferred) or simply retires, organizations that have a plan in place are far better positioned to maintain stability and confidence during change.

One valuable area of discussion centered around interim executive directors and the important role they can play during periods of transition. Published the same week as our session was a timely article from Blue Avocado outlining key considerations and best practices for bringing in interim leadership during a nonprofit transition.

Read the article.