Spokes, the nonprofit resource center for the Central Coast, is celebrating five years serving San Luis Obispo County. Spokes supports local nonprofit professionals and board members through training, consulting, and expert resources – relying on private donations to underwrite its services. Since 2012, Spokes has progressively increased the number of organizations served annually. Members benefit from management training, consulting and resources they need to better serve our community. Lesley Santos- Dierks, Spokes CEO, says, “We are grateful for the opportunity to assist the men and women who devote their time, talent and treasure to local nonprofits. It’s a gift to be surrounded by such successful, kind- hearted individuals. With the support of our generous donors, we look forward to continuing to meet their needs as they serve our community.”
Spokes offers specialized consulting services to help nonprofit leaders solve problems, develop plans for the future, and navigate through unexpected challenges – both internally and externally. Between 2012 and 2016, Spokes provided 1534 hours of consulting to member and non-member nonprofits. Linda Wilkes-Chaffin of San Luis Obispo Master Chorale says, “As a result of participating in Spokes services, we created a concrete action plan, which is leading to superior resultsfor our organization. It was an extremely positive experience!”
Spokes believes that nonprofit leaders deserve recognition for the work they do. Thus was born Spokes Salutes, an annual event for nonprofit leaders to gather and be celebrated for the invaluable contributions they make to the health and vibrancy of our community. Through Medal of Merit awards, funded by the Shanbrom Family Foundation, Spokes has granted $11,600 to San Luis Obispo Community nonprofit leaders and organizations that have demonstrated successful implementation of improved management practices or outstanding leadership. Winners include: The Wellness Kitchen and Resource Center (2014), the Guadalupe -Nipomo Dunes Center (2014), OperaSLO (2014), The DANA Cultural Center (2015), The Central Coast Autism Spectrum Center (2015), The Central Coast Children’s Choir (2015), YPNG (2016), Canzona Women’s Ensemble (2016), and NOOR Foundation (2016), Partnership for the Children of SLO County (2016); honorable mentions include SLO Legal Assistance Foundation and Central Coast Parks Association. This December, an additional $5000 will be awarded to Medal of Merit winners in honor of Spokes’ milestone anniversary.
Spokes will celebrate their community’s love for nonprofits during A Good Old Fashioned Benefit Bash, a fundraising event on September 16 at The Victorian, 789 Valley Road in Arroyo Grande from 4-8pm. For tickets, please call Spokes at 805-547-2244 or www.spokesfornonprofits.org. For those unable to come who still want to show their support, raffle tickets for a week in Catalina Island or a whiskey tasting kit are available via spokes website.
As always, Spokes extends deep gratitude towards the Founder’s Circle for strong support during its critical founding years. Founder’s Circle Members Bob Shanbrom and Mark Corella of Wells Fargo will lead the revelry and toasts at A Good Old-fashioned Benefit Bash.