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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16 resources found
- Search: nonprofit ai strategy
- 12.3C162
Choosing Your AI Path: A Framework for Nonprofit Leaders to Make Strategic Choices
An article and framework that help nonprofit leaders decide how to use AI. It sorts choices into 3 dimensions: augment internal operations, advance mission and programmes, and advocate on AI governance and policy. Each dimension has field examples, strategy elements and low-cost no-regrets actions. A section sets out what institutional funders can do for grantees. Companion worksheets help teams apply the framework.
EmergingKey manual or guideFree - 15.3C196
Finding Your Funding Model
A workbook for nonprofit leaders and boards choosing how to fund their organisation. It takes them through 6 steps: analyse current funding, learn from peers, narrow the range of funding model options, assess revenue potential and costs of a short list, select the models to pursue, and plan implementation. Appendices include a sample workplan, sample outputs and advice on researching funding sources.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree - 15.3C198
The Matrix Map
An article setting out a 4-step method for judging programmes and fundraising activities on both mission impact and profitability. Teams list every business line, score impact on a 1 to 4 scale, work out whether each line makes a surplus or needs a subsidy, then plot the results on a grid. The 4 quadrants, Stars, Hearts, Money Trees and Stop Signs, guide what to grow, contain, nurture or close.
ClassicTool or templateFree - 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 - 9.1C113
Communications Toolkit
A toolkit by R. Christine Hershey of Cause Communications for nonprofit staff who run communications with limited resources. It draws on national audits of nonprofit communications needs. It explains how to write a communications plan and set a budget, and gives tools for raising awareness and funds. The print edition has 71 pages, an index and 9 loose worksheets. Teams use it to build or review a basic communications plan.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree - 2.1C016
Scenario Planning for Nonprofits
A worksheet toolkit that helps nonprofit leaders plan under uncertainty. Teams first agree guiding principles, then work through 4 steps: identify key drivers of programmes, operations and funding at risk; build best, moderate and worst-case scenarios and model their effect on revenue; create a portfolio of actions with costs or savings; and set measurable trigger points that tell them when to act. Leadership teams fill it in together.
CurrentTool or templateFree - 2.1C018
Agile Strategy Canvas
A one-page canvas that holds an organisation's whole strategy in 3 layers. Strategic Direction covers vision, mission, core strategic insight, a big hairy audacious goal, economic drivers and values. Strategic Signals records internal insights and external opportunities and threats. Strategic Sprints lists an ideas backlog, active time-boxed sprints and completed sprints with what was learned. Teams update it every quarter as conditions change.
EmergingTool or templateFreeNonprofit Builder tool - 2.1C020
The Strategy Habit
A playbook of 12 monthly exercises, called recipes, that make strategy a regular team habit. Each recipe poses a strategic question and gives a practical exercise for a team session, on topics such as setting a big hairy audacious goal, turning constraints into opportunities and business model change. The playbook gives guidance for running monthly discussions with a wide group of staff and building a strategy that keeps up with events.
EmergingTool or templateFreeNonprofit Builder tool - 9.1C114
The Role of Brand in the Nonprofit Sector
An article from the Spring 2012 issue of Stanford Social Innovation Review for nonprofit leaders, communicators and funders. The authors observe that many nonprofits still use their brand mainly for fundraising. They describe a shift toward using brand to pursue long-term social goals and to build internal identity, cohesion and capacity. They set out the brand IDEA framework: brand integrity, brand democracy, brand ethics and brand affinity. Readers use it to rethink the job of a brand.
ClassicShort readFree with sign-up - 8.2C107
StrongNonprofits Toolkit
A free set of financial management tools for nonprofit finance staff and leaders. It is organised by topic: budgeting, navigating uncertainty, cash flow, operations, data and analysis, audit readiness, and governance and strategy. Downloads include a financial risk self-assessment, an equity in financial management self-assessment, a financial infrastructure self-assessment and a fiscal management activities calendar in Excel. Short videos from BDO explain equity in the finance function.
ClassicTool or templateFree - 12.2C158
Data Maturity Assessment
A free online self-assessment that gives a snapshot of an organisation's data and AI maturity. It scores 3 areas: purpose, practice (data quality, security, ethics and infrastructure) and people (leadership, talent and culture), plus a separate AI score. Results come in a shareable format for talks with colleagues and funders, with recommended guides and resources for next steps. It is aimed at social impact organisations, government agencies, funders and universities.
CurrentTool or templateFree with sign-up - 2.1C014
Hiring a Strategic Planning Consultant
A short essay for nonprofit leaders about to engage a strategy consultant. It sets out 4 distinct purposes for strategy work, depending on whether the need comes from inside the organisation or from shifts outside it, and whether the audience for the strategy is internal or external. It then explains how to find, choose and work with a consultant who fits that purpose, including how to build skills in internal staff.
CurrentShort readFree - 2.5C206
A New Look at Strategic Pathways for Solving Social Problems at Scale
The research companion to Bridgespan's "Three Questions" article. The team reviewed the strategies of about 80 organisations in the US, Asia and Africa and interviewed leaders of 11, then grouped what they found into eight main pathways to impact at scale, from expanding direct services to shifting policy and practice. Leaders and funders use it to see which routes exist and which fit their model. It updates Bridgespan's 2014 work with new cases.
CurrentResearch and evidenceFree with sign-up - 12.2C156
Getting Started with Data-Driven Decision Making: A Workbook
A short workbook that takes a nonprofit manager from a question to a simple process for using data in decisions. 9 worksheets guide the user to define an action question, decide what it means for the organisation, list what could be measured and what data exists, choose metrics, set a process for using them, and write an implementation action plan. Managers complete it alone or with a team.
ClassicTool or templateFree - 1.5C219
Scaling Up
Verne Harnish's book on growing an organisation through the stages from a few people to hundreds. It's built around 4 decisions every growing organisation has to get right: people, strategy, execution and cash. It comes with one-page worksheets, including the One-Page Strategic Plan, and routines such as daily and weekly meeting rhythms and priorities. Written for companies, it's widely used by nonprofit leadership teams that are growing fast.
ClassicKey manual or guideBook - 2.3C026
SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
A section of the Community Tool Box on running a SWOT analysis with a group. It explains what SWOT is, when to use it, the internal factors (strengths, weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities, threats), how to run the analysis with a diverse group of stakeholders and how to turn the results into goals and action plans. Community groups and nonprofits use it for strategic planning and to review new or existing initiatives.
Start hereClassicTool or templateFree
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