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.

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211 resources · 15 topics · 137 publishers · 197 free to use

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8 resources found

  • Search: program evaluation
  • 7.2C092

    BetterEvaluation

    A free knowledge platform and community on evaluation. Its Rainbow Framework groups monitoring and evaluation methods and processes into 7 tasks. The site has pages on evaluation methods, approaches and themes, a manager's guide to evaluation, a searchable resource library, and directories of training and academic programmes. Evaluators, commissioners and programme staff use it to choose and apply methods. It is part of the Global Evaluation Initiative.

    Start hereCurrentKey online resourceFree
  • 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
  • 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
  • 6.2C077

    Sabbatical Programs for Nonprofit Leaders

    A how-to guide for foundations that want to fund sabbaticals for nonprofit leaders, written from the Durfee Foundation's own programme. It explains why funders should sponsor rest, then covers legal points, eligibility, applications, selection, cover for the leader's job, orientation, awards, reporting, evaluation, peer support, retreats and budget. It ends with a list of 9 other funder sabbatical programmes. Funders use it to design and run a programme.

    ClassicKey manual or guideFree
  • 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
  • 7.2C088

    Contribution analysis

    A 4-page brief that explains contribution analysis, a way to make a credible claim that a programme contributed to an observed change when an experiment or control group is not practical. It sets out how to test the programme's theory of change against evidence and consider other factors that may explain the outcome. Evaluators, programme staff and funders use it to plan and report on contribution claims.

    ClassicShort readFree
  • 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
  • 7.4C098

    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

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