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 welcome

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

Search and filter all 211 resources

6 resources found

  • Search: security plan
  • 11.1C145

    Security to go: a risk management toolkit for humanitarian aid agencies

    A toolkit for staff who are not security specialists and need to set up basic safety and security systems in a new context or a sudden emergency. Modules are grouped into planning and preparedness, response, and support services. Topics include actor mapping, risk assessment, digital security, security plans, facility security, communications, travel safety, medical evacuation and private security providers. It contains a risk rating matrix, a security plan template, sample SOPs, checklists and a glossary.

    CurrentTool or templateFree
  • 11.1C141

    Holistic Security: A Strategy Manual for Human Rights Defenders

    A strategy manual that helps human rights defenders plan for their security and well-being. It joins self-care, digital security and information security with traditional security management. The online version has 4 sections that form a cycle: Prepare, Explore, Strategise and Act. Chapters cover context and threat analysis, security plans, organisational security and protests. Exercises, further reading and a separate Trainers' Manual support group workshops.

    Start hereClassicKey manual or guideFree
  • 11.1C143

    Workbook on Security: Practical Steps for Human Rights Defenders at Risk

    A workbook that guides human rights defenders through writing a security plan for themselves and, where relevant, their organisation. Its 6 chapters cover introduction, assessing risk, analysing threats, wellbeing, creating security plans and context. 17 appendices give practical material on topics such as SWOT analysis, office and home security, detention and arrest, travel, computer and phone security, and surveillance. Defenders work through it alone or in groups.

    ClassicTool or templateFree
  • 11.1C144

    Good Practice Review 8: Humanitarian Security Risk Management

    The 3rd edition of a widely used reference on security risk management for humanitarian organisations. Practitioner experts revised it over 3 years. Its 7 chapters cover foundations, ecosystems, organisational and operational elements, people, technology, and specific threats. The 2025 edition adds a person-centred approach, the security burden on national and local actors, partnership security, access and deconfliction, and digital risks such as disinformation and surveillance. Security managers use it to design policies and plans.

    CurrentKey manual or guideFree
  • 12.4C164

    Digital Security & Grantcraft Guide

    An introductory guide that helps funders judge whether grantees face digital security threats and how to support them. It explains the difference between passive monitoring and remote intrusion and suggests a case-by-case approach in 3 steps: triage, recalibration and reaction. It gives 7 questions for funders to ask about grantees' security systems, encourages short and long term security plans, and adds an annex on travel security.

    ClassicKey manual or guideFree
  • 9.3C124

    Advocacy in restricted spaces

    A toolkit from Lifeline, a consortium of 7 NGOs, for civil society groups that want to do advocacy where civic space is closed or shrinking. It uses case studies and concrete examples to show ways of advocating while keeping risk to staff and partners low. CSOs, and the funders and consultants who support them, use it to plan advocacy that weighs safety alongside impact.

    CurrentKey manual or guideFree

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.