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HR, people & culture

Performance management system design for nonprofits

Signs you need a performance management system

Performance conversations either don't happen or are dreaded by everyone — there is no shared framework and feedback only comes when something goes wrong.

What you'll achieve

A simple, effective performance management system that supports staff development, accountability, and honest conversations throughout the year.

How a Nonprofit Builder consultant helps

  • Review your current approach, design a system suited to your culture and capacity, and train managers in how to use it well.

Key deliverables

  • Performance management framework, appraisal and check-in templates, manager training session, staff guidance note, implementation timeline.

From the resource library

Free tools and guides to get started

  • 5.1C064

    Human Resources (HR) Toolkit for Small and Medium Nonprofit Actors

    A 32-page toolkit for small and medium nonprofit, humanitarian and development organisations that want a formal system for managing people. It offers guidance, tips and checklists for writing or strengthening HR policies, plus a set of questions to review an existing HR framework, find gaps and set priority actions. It is written for HR staff, programme and operations teams, and finance and admin managers who handle basic HR.

    Start hereCurrentTool or templateFree
  • 5.4C073

    A Change Management & Deep Equity Primer

    A primer by Sheryl Petty, co-released by GEO, on leading organisational change with equity at the core. It introduces Equity-Embedded Change Management and covers readiness, assessment, buy-in, consultant and client challenges, communication, implementation, getting unstuck, what progress means and leaders' inner work. It ends with a glossary, resources and a framework for deep equity capacity building. Staff, boards, consultants and funders use it to plan equity change.

    Start hereCurrentShort readFree