Resource library · free toolkits, templates and guides
The practical library for people who build nonprofits
227 really practical toolkits, templates and guides for nonprofit and NGO leaders, and the consultants and funders who support them. A mix of the classics and newer methods.
Suggestions are welcome227 resources · 15 topics · 145 publishers · 210 free to use
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7 resources found
- Search: board fundraising
- 8.1C235
Beyond Fundraising: What Does It Mean to Build a Culture of Philanthropy?
The Haas, Jr. Fund's widely used guide to building a culture of philanthropy. It defines one as an organisation where everyone, board, staff and executive director, plays a part in raising resources; where fundraising is built on relationships; and where development is valued and woven into everything the organisation does. It offers practical recommendations for sharing fundraising responsibility, aligning it with the mission and keeping donors engaged.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree - 3.1C228
Board Passages: Three Stages in a Nonprofit Board's Lifecycle
Karl Mathiasen's classic short paper on how boards change as an organisation grows. It describes three stages: the founding board, small and close to its leader or doing the work itself; the governing board, which shifts to policy, finances and sharing authority with staff; and the institutional board, larger and focused on major issues and fundraising. It closes with practical steps for moving between stages, such as term limits, regular self-assessment and a board development plan.
ClassicShort readFree - 8.1C103
Fundraising Bright Spots
A research report from the Resetting Development project, which grew out of the UnderDeveloped study of nonprofit fundraising. It tells the stories of social change organisations that raise steady money from individual donors. It is for nonprofit leaders, boards and fundraising staff. Readers use the cases to rethink who owns fundraising in their organisation. A 2017 companion, Fundraising Bright Spots in Action, follows programme participants as they change their approach.
ClassicResearch and evidenceFree with sign-up - 15.3C197
Ten Nonprofit Funding Models
An article that sorts large nonprofits by how they raise money and names 10 funding models, from Heartfelt Connector and Member Motivator to Public Provider and Market Maker. For each model it describes the typical funders and organisations and the questions leaders should ask to test the fit. Leaders and boards use it to name their current model and discuss where to focus fundraising.
Start hereClassicKey online resourceFree - 8.4C109
The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle
A short article on why nonprofits underfund overhead such as IT, finance systems, training and fundraising. It describes a 3-stage cycle: funders expect low overhead, nonprofits feel pressure to match, then underspend and underreport their costs. It cites data on real versus reported overhead rates. Closing sections set out what funders can do, such as general operating support, and what nonprofit leaders and boards can do.
ClassicShort readFree - 8.2C242
Mission Capital
Moulaye Camara's book for executive directors, country directors and board members who look after donor funds without formal financial training. Across twelve chapters it treats financial intelligence as what keeps a mission going, with original frameworks, practical tools and case material from Africa and beyond. Topics include transparency, reserves, donor due diligence, blended finance and social enterprise. Camara has worked on civil society finance across Africa for three decades.
CurrentKey manual or guideBook - 14.1C240
Nonprofit Management 101
Edited by Darian Rodriguez Heyman and Laila Brenner, this guide gathers advice from dozens of sector practitioners into one book on running a nonprofit. It covers the whole job: starting an organisation, strategy, boards and governance, fundraising, financial management, marketing and communications, staff and volunteers, and technology. Written for leaders new to the sector and for experienced managers who want to see how the pieces fit together.
ClassicKey manual or guideBook
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