Testimonials

“Spokes is the only place we go for nonprofit resources—there is simply no other in the county. Our agency recently participated in workshops on Board Governance.  I have to say there was an instant and profound change in my Board: a group previously on the verge of splintering walked out of those sessions unified, with a strong sense of rights, responsibilities, and how to accomplish our vision.”

Marina Washburn
Executive Director
Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos (DANA)
Nipomo, California

“Employee training is a challenge for any organization, whether big or small. We had a new hire earlier this year, and he was able to quickly and easily brush up on some needed skills through our Spokes membership. Our access to Lynda.com was invaluable in getting him up to speed.”

Volunteer Monitoring Program Manager
Morro Bay National Estuary Program
Morro Bay, California

“Spokes has proven to be a great resource.  The membership fees include access to the Lynda.com libraries, and I found many useful videos that broadened my knowledge.  I’ve also made extensive use of the Foundation Center grant database.  Grant research was our primary reason for joining Spokes and we’ve taken advantage by finding hundreds of relevant grants.”

Technology Coordinator
United Cerebral Palsy of San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California

“I just wanted to let you know what a gem you have in Lesley Santos Dierks. Lesley helped to facilitate our strategic planning meeting this weekend. We are a brand new member to Spokes. She has the perfect demeanor for this position. All of our board members (and we have quite diverse backgrounds) were thoroughly impressed. Spokes is extremely lucky to have her!”

Board President
Central Coast Children's Choir
San Luis Obispo, California

“With support from Spokes, we’ve developed a donor relations program to help prepare for our second 25 years, and we’re already 80% toward our Silver Legacy goal!”

Carl Hansen
Chief Executive Officer
SLO Food Bank
San Luis Obispo, California

“Through Spokes classes, we’ve learned how to tell our story in memorable ways, resulting in increased donations from granting organizations, as well as individual donors by 40%.”

Sharon Dobson
Treasurer
OperaSLO
San Luis Obispo, California

“Many times you do not want to go to a meeting or conference or class, but you do anyway because you’re hoping to hear that one idea that can be truly beneficial. Every time I have gone to Spokes, I’ve come away with more than one of those ideas.  The resources they offer have been critical to the progress of our foundation. The experts they host have always been high caliber, and Spokes provided a direct connection to a grant writer who has helped us tremendously.”

Frank Kalman
Executive Director
Kids Cancer Research Foundation
San Luis Obispo, California

“With Spokes’ help, we more than doubled gifts from private donors and foundations from 2012 to 2013.”

Adrienne Harris
Executive Director
Morro Bay National Estuary Program
Morro Bay, California

“Many years ago a single mom came into our shop with her son who really wanted to take drum lessons, which were not offered in schools anymore. I wanted to come up with a way for kids to take lessons even though they couldn’t afford it. Thanks to Spokes and dedicated nonprofits, we’re doing that now.”

Steve Hilstein
Executive Director
Music Motive
San Luis Obispo, California

“Spokes staff, consulting services, and resources help us improve our operations! And as a result, we are delivering our programs more effectively and continue to enhance our impact.”

Executive Director
Central Coast Grown
San Luis Obispo, California