Stanford Spokes Faces New Fundraising Challenges After Digital Education Closure

Stanford Spokes is facing significant fundraising challenges following budget cuts to Stanford Digital Education (SDE). Established in 2021, SDE played a crucial role in providing educational resources to low-income students globally. With its closure, Spokes has lost a vital support system for obtaining donations.

Transitioning Fundraising Strategies

The recent funding changes mean that the upcoming 2026 Spokes team must navigate a new landscape. Previously, donations flowed through SDE from various Stanford departments, facilitating summer initiatives that paired education with cycling from San Francisco to Washington D.C. Every summer, select teams of six to seven Stanford students would conduct workshops in underserved areas.

In previous years, SDE assisted in fundraising by acting as an intermediary for departmental donations. As participant Puja Chopade ’27 points out, this allowed departments to contribute without directly handling cash or resources. However, without SDE, the 2026 team faces an uphill battle. “It’ll be a lot harder for them to have that credible way of collecting funds,” Chopade noted.

Alternative Strategies for Fundraising

• Sasha Balasingam ’27 expressed hope that the team might identify other Stanford organizations for support.
• Matthew Sullivan ’28 predicted that the team will need to seek funding outside the University.
• Last year’s team successfully received a major donation from Young Guru Academy, emphasizing the need for external connections.

In preparation for the challenges ahead, Sullivan encouraged leveraging the Spokes alumni network. He previously compiled a list of participants to help future teams target potential donors. “When I’m 30, Spokes is going to be something I would very much want to contribute to,” Sullivan remarked about his commitment to the program.

Plans for Non-Profit Status and Alumni Support

The 2026 team, having just met for the first time, is already brainstorming innovative solutions. Member Jack Flynn ’28 plans to explore 501(c)(3) status to secure tax-deductible donations. They also intend to tap into the alumni directory Sullivan created.

The Spokes 2025 team is prepared to assist the 2026 group as they adjust to operating without SDE’s support. “We’re going to help them as much as we can,” Balasingam remarked, acknowledging the unfamiliar challenges they will face. Despite these obstacles, there is optimism about the resilience of the new team. “I’m optimistic that this team is going to be okay,” Chopade concluded.

Fundraising for Spokes will certainly look different this year, but the determination of the 2026 team and support from alumni may allow it to thrive amidst the changes.