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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7 resources found
- Search: measurement evaluation and learning
- 7.1C086
A Practical Guide to Nonprofit Measurement, Evaluation, and Learning
A guide for nonprofits of any size on setting up measurement, evaluation and learning with limited resources. It works through 3 steps: define outcomes and metrics from your theory of change, measure them without overloading staff and clients, and learn and improve through a dashboard and regular data reviews. It also covers when a formal evaluation is worth the cost and how to start without a data team.
EmergingKey manual or guideFree - 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 - 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 - 7.5C099
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 - 7.5C101
The Compass
A plain-language introduction to outcomes and social impact measurement from the Centre for Social Impact in Australia. It explains the key topics, concepts, questions and principles of measuring outcomes, for people who want to know whether and how their work creates change and how to communicate it. It is written as a starting point and avoids jargon. Small and large organisations use it before choosing a framework.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree - 9.4C127
Shifting the dial
A 16-page NPC guide for charities, funders and consultants who run or back policy change campaigns. It covers 3 areas: planning a campaign with impact in mind, choosing the right tools to evaluate it, and learning and improving as the campaign goes on. It draws on examples from several UK organisations. Teams use it to track progress, adjust strategy and respond to changes in the policy environment.
ClassicKey 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
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