Stanford Spokes is facing fundraising challenges due to recent budget cuts at Stanford Digital Education (SDE). Since its inception in 2021, SDE has been instrumental in providing Stanford’s educational benefits to low-income students globally. However, with the discontinuation of support from SDE, Spokes has lost its donation-processing system from various Stanford departments.
Impact of SDE’s Closure on Fundraising
Under the guidance of the 2025 Stanford Spokes team, the incoming 2026 team is navigating this new landscape. Every summer since 2017, Spokes has allowed a group of six to seven Stanford students to cycle from San Francisco to Washington D.C. They conduct educational workshops in under-resourced communities along the way.
Previously, SDE assisted Spokes in fundraising efforts by acting as an intermediary for donations. This structure enabled departments like the Stanford Medical School to contribute without directly transferring resources to students. According to Puja Chopade, a member of last summer’s team, losing this support means current participants must rely solely on independent fundraising.
Shifting Fundraising Strategies
- Alternative Donation Channels: The 2026 team hopes to identify new Stanford offices or organizations for potential donations.
- External Donors: Matthew Sullivan, a 2025 team member, suggests focusing efforts on external donors outside the University.
- Alumni Network: Sullivan emphasized utilizing the Spokes alumni network for fundraising, sharing his previous experience in compiling a donor list.
Plans for Future Fundraising
Last year’s team received a notable donation from Young Guru Academy, which encourages students in impact-driven projects. Sullivan believes alumni will likely support the initiative since many had monumental experiences with Spokes.
Jack Flynn, a participant for summer 2026, indicated plans to establish Spokes as a 501(c)(3) organization. This status would enable the team to secure tax-deductible donations. Furthermore, they will reach out to the alumni list that Sullivan created.
Community Resilience and Support
Though the 2026 team is encountering significant fundraising obstacles, the 2025 team is ready to assist. They too faced challenges when they were unable to secure a university van to transport materials. Despite these unprecedented obstacles, there is a strong sense of optimism among the teams.
Chopade expressed confidence in the resilience and creativity of the 2026 team, while Sullivan also anticipates a successful outcome, stating, “I’m optimistic that this team is going to be okay.”
