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 welcome

227 resources · 15 topics · 145 publishers · 210 free to use

Search and filter all 227 resources

6 resources found

  • Search: effective management
  • 4.4C229

    The Three Dimensions of Effective Management

    The Management Center's short definition of good management for social sector organisations. It holds that effective management blends three dimensions: equitable, creating conditions where every person can thrive and belong; sustainable, investing in people, relationships and systems for the long run; and results-driven, with clear roles and goals that build shared accountability. Free to read online or download as a PDF or Google Doc.

    CurrentShort readFree
  • 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
  • 4.4C056

    Effective Delegation Process and Worksheet

    A short guide and worksheet for managers who hand off work. It sets out 3 steps: agree on expectations using the 5 Ws and roles such as MOCHA, stay engaged through check-ins and reviews of work in progress, and debrief to share feedback and lessons. It explains how to adjust involvement to the person's skill and capacity and the task's stakes. The worksheet follows the 3 steps and comes as a Google Doc or Word file.

    CurrentTool or templateFree
  • 4.4C057

    Executive Team Effectiveness Toolkit

    A free set of tools for nonprofit chief executives and their senior teams. It contains a CEO checklist for managing the executive team, an interdependence and stakes matrix for picking the decisions the team should own, key questions on team composition, meeting agenda templates with wrap-up and written update formats, and steps for agreeing team behavioural norms with examples. CEOs and consultants use it to review and restructure how the top team works.

    CurrentTool or templateFree
  • 5.4C074

    Understanding effective safeguarding culture

    A discussion tool from Bond, the UK network for international development organisations, for talking about what a positive safeguarding culture looks like. It describes behaviours that show whether a culture follows good safeguarding practice across 6 areas: policies and procedures, safer programming, a survivor-centred approach, awareness raising, safer recruitment and reporting. Staff at all levels use it in workshops, alongside a separate Bond tool for leaders.

    CurrentTool or templateFree
  • 5.4C239

    The Future Is Collective

    A practical guide by Niloufar Khonsari for nonprofit and social justice leaders who want their workplace to reflect their values. It shows how to decentralise power and set up collective governance, build transparency, equity and mutual care into daily operations, and explain structural changes to funders. It also covers everyday conflict, difficult team dynamics and job terminations, handled with a compassionate, justice-centred approach.

    CurrentKey manual or guideBook

Suggestion box

Know a resource we should add?

Know a practical resource we should add, or found a broken link or a mistake? Tell us.

A person reads every message. A title, a link or a few words is enough.

What is it about?
Why is it useful, or what needs fixing? A title or a link alone is fine too.