Resource library · free toolkits, templates and guides
The practical library for people who build nonprofits
211 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 welcome211 resources · 15 topics · 137 publishers · 197 free to use
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12 resources found
- Search: build evaluation
- 13.1C169
Longitudinal evaluation of BUILD
The final report of an evaluation of the Ford Foundation's BUILD initiative, which gave grantees flexible multi-year funding and capacity support. It covers 289 grantee partners from the 2016 to 2019 cohorts, using a survey with 110 responses, 27 interviews, 4 focus groups and document review. Findings show BUILD helped impact and resilience, a second grant consolidated gains, and grantees need clear, timely word on future funding.
EmergingResearch and evidenceFree - 7.3C093
Building a Strategic Learning and Evaluation System for Your Organization
A guide from FSG on making evaluation systematic and tied to strategy across an organisation. It covers the parts of a strategic learning and evaluation system: an evaluation vision, a learning culture, clear strategy, coordinated activities and a supportive environment. It explains how to frame learning questions for 1 to 3 years and decide what to evaluate, when, and how to use findings. A webinar and slides accompany it.
Start hereClassicKey manual or guideFree with sign-up - 10.3C139
Transactions, Transformations, Translations
A report for funders and movement groups on how to measure movement building. It argues for metrics that capture both transactional and transformational change, with a matrix across 10 movement-building strategies. It looks beyond single organisations to whether groups can act together as a larger force, and asks that measures be co-created with the field. Recommendations cover new measures, capacity to use them, leadership development and movement-level metrics.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree - 7.3C094
Evaluation Flash Cards
A set of 25 one-page cards by Michael Quinn Patton, each explaining one evaluation idea in plain terms with an example from Otto Bremer grants. Topics include evaluation questions, logic models, theory of change, outcomes versus indicators, triangulation, formative, summative and developmental evaluation, and lessons learned. Teams pick a card to discuss in staff or board meetings to build evaluative thinking.
ClassicTool or templateFree - 7.1C085
Understanding Impact
A guide for charities that want to measure their impact. It shows how to turn a theory of change into a measurement plan, names 5 types of data to focus on and explains how to decide what to measure first. 7 mini-guides cover quantitative methods, qualitative data, sampling, evidence standards, research ethics, analysing and using data, and building a learning culture. It follows NPC's Theory of change in ten steps.
CurrentKey manual or guideFree - 4.1C043
A Guide to Building a Successful Leadership Development Program
A step-by-step guide for organisations that design or fund leadership development programmes. It draws on evaluations of the fellowship programmes run by Schusterman and the Rockwood Leadership Institute. It sets out 5 recommendations: make space for openness, develop emotional intelligence, build relationships on purpose, design a sound coaching approach and promote collaboration across sectors. It also includes a programme-building checklist, evaluation findings and further reading on equity in leadership development.
CurrentKey manual or guideFree - 7.5C100
Building a Performance Measurement System
A short book from Root Cause that sets out a 5-step process for creating or improving a performance measurement system in a nonprofit. It covers choosing what to measure, building dashboards and involving managers, staff and board members in using the data. It also introduces performance measurement in general and the problems specific to nonprofits. Appendices include dashboard templates and a performance audit.
Start hereClassicKey manual or guideFree - 7.5C102
How to Build a Nonprofit Dashboard for Your Leadership Team
A how-to article on building a dashboard that a nonprofit leadership team reviews to track a small set of priorities. It works through 3 steps: agree on up to about 10 priorities, choose 1 or 2 check-engine-light metrics for each with red, yellow and green targets, then act on reds and follow up in regular reviews. It comes with a review session template and a set of example priorities and metrics.
CurrentTool or templateFree - 2.2C021
Logic Model Development Guide
A guide to building and using a programme logic model, written as a companion to the Kellogg Evaluation Handbook. Chapter 1 introduces logic models with samples. Chapter 2 gives exercises for building a simple model, with checklists and a template. Chapter 3 shows how to expand it into a theory of change. Chapter 4 uses logic modelling to shape an evaluation plan. Appendices hold resources and blank forms. Programme staff and evaluators use it to plan and evaluate work.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree - 9.2C118
Stories Worth Telling
A guide from Georgetown's Center for Social Impact Communication and the Meyer Foundation, based on a review of storytelling at more than 150 social impact organisations. It covers 5 building blocks of a story: character, trajectory, authenticity, action-oriented emotions and a hook. It then walks through a story cycle of planning, production, distribution and evaluation, and ends on building a storytelling culture. Companion checklists and tools include a culture self-assessment and a story bank guide.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree with sign-up - 7.4C096
Feedback Resources
A resource page from Feedback Labs that groups tools for listening to the people organisations serve into 3 stages. Getting started includes research, a feedback tools repository and funder listening guides. Establishing practice includes the Feedback Quiz, a crash course and Listen4Good's step-by-step guide to equity-centred feedback. Later resources include LabStorms, a fellowship and a conversation deck. Nonprofits and funders use it to build feedback loops.
Start hereCurrentKey online resourceFree - 7.5C099
A Practical Guide to Measuring and Managing Impact
A guide from EVPA for venture philanthropy funders, social investors and the organisations they support on putting impact measurement into practice. It was launched in 2013 and updated in 2015, and gives practical tips for each of 5 steps in the impact measurement process. Funders use it to agree impact measures with the organisations they back and to build measurement into their investment process.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree
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