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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14 resources found
- Search: nonprofit 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 - 7.3C095
Organizational Learning Self-Assessment Tool
An 18-question self-assessment that nonprofits and grantmakers use to gauge their learning culture in 5 to 10 minutes. Items are rated 1 to 5 across 3 areas: organisational habits and behaviours, leadership and strategic direction, and capacity and resources. Each area suggests 5, 15 or 30 minute actions and further resources. Teams use it to start a discussion, and can share it with funders or partners.
CurrentTool or templateFree - 4.2C049
Learning Through Co-Leadership
A Bridgespan article series drawn from its Co-Leadership Learning Circle, a year-long peer group launched in 2023 for nonprofit leaders who share the top executive role. Co-leaders from 5 nonprofits, including CoGenerate, CADRE and Essential Access Health, describe why they chose co-leadership and how they build trust. Planned parts cover decision-making and conflict, roles and responsibilities, and the value of leading together. It is written for executives and funders.
CurrentKey online resourceFree - 12.3C159
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics for Nonprofits: Toolkit
A workshop kit that helps nonprofits design, deploy and use AI responsibly. This first part focuses on the principle of fairness. It contains a facilitator guide, a master slide deck, case studies, key AI and machine learning terms, AI ethics concepts and an example Miro board. Participants learn AI ethics basics, then apply fairness to humanitarian and international development use cases.
CurrentTool or templateFree - 12.3C161
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Suitability Toolkit for Nonprofits
A toolkit that helps nonprofits judge whether an AI or machine learning solution is a good fit before they build, buy or use it. It aims to build in-house ability to assess AI options, anticipate problems and make informed decisions, with attention to transparency, data governance and traceability. It is meant for project managers, developers and system operators in nonprofit organisations.
CurrentTool or templateFree - 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 - 4.2C047
Doing More with More: Putting Shared Leadership into Practice
An article on a 2-year learning community, from 2008 to 2010, in which leaders of 27 California civic participation nonprofits tried shared leadership. It reports results, such as 78 percent of participants growing their ability to develop staff as leaders. It names 4 preconditions: senior commitment, upfront planning time, sound basic management and clear accountability. It then describes 4 areas of change: leader mindsets and roles, structure, decision processes and culture.
Start hereClassicResearch and evidenceFree - 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 - 7.4C098
Happy Beneficiaries
A 3-question pulse survey that measures beneficiary satisfaction in about 2 minutes. It asks how likely people are to recommend the organisation, why they gave that score and what could improve. Nonprofits run it continuously at events, after services or at other contact points, then read an AI-written report with scores and suggested actions. Use is free with sign-up.
EmergingTool or templateFree with sign-upNonprofit Builder tool - 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 - 15.1C220
The Lean Startup
Eric Ries's book on building new ventures through fast, cheap experiments. It's organised in 3 parts: vision, steer and accelerate. Readers learn to name their riskiest assumptions, test them with a minimum viable product, measure progress through validated learning and decide whether to pivot or persevere. Social entrepreneurs and nonprofit teams use it to test new programmes and earned income ideas before scaling them.
ClassicKey manual or guideBook - 15.1C221
Lean Impact
Ann Mei Chang, former chief innovation officer at USAID and Mercy Corps, adapts lean startup methods to the social sector. The book shows how to test value, growth and impact with small experiments, how to find a model that can reach many more people, and how funders can back this kind of learning. It's full of examples from nonprofits, social enterprises and aid agencies.
ClassicKey manual or guideBook - 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 - 13.3C178
When Shift Happens: Navigating Toward a Framework for Responsible Philanthropic Exits
A journal article that sets out a framework for responsible exits when a foundation stops funding a field or grantee. Learning leaders from the Skillman Foundation, the California Health Care Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts drew on literature, focus groups, interviews with foundation staff and nonprofit leaders, and their own experience. The result is 7 core elements meant to keep a field resilient after funding ends.
EmergingResearch and evidenceFree
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