Resource Hub

There are a vast number of resources and templates geared toward effective nonprofit leadership and organizational development available on the internet. While this breadth of resources at our fingertips may appear helpful at first glance, the reality is that not all that is available online is high quality or worth using, for a number of reasons. However, there is no doubt that readily available resources and templates go a long way to streamlining the work of nonprofit leaders.

LZF has partnered with experts in the field, who have proven experience working within and alongside SBCBs, to curate a library of resources and templates that are relevant to our grantee partners and organized within our five Focus Areas. These resources are available at no cost on the LZF website to any nonprofit organization who may need them.

Resource Topics

Click a button below to see the subtopics and resources for that topic.

Resources for Governance, Planning, & Decision Making

Click a subtopic below to access helpful resources in that category.

If you are a current or former LZF grantee partner, we encourage you to utilize these resources in tandem with our Catalytic Consulting program offering. LZF has identified a list of trusted consultants who have expertise in all of these topics. They would be glad to support you in applying one or more of these templates/resources to your work in a way that’s tailored to your organization, at no cost to you. Learn more about this program here.

By-Laws

Many nonprofits use a set of ‘standard’ / traditional bylaws that are regularly approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you are interested in bylaws that delegate power in different ways (e.g. worker self-directed or community governed) the resources from SELC are a great place to start!

Sample Traditional Nonprofit By-Laws
Template to Create Worker-Directed By-Laws

Board of Directors Onboarding

It can be difficult to think about creating board handbooks and onboarding procedures when there are so many other things to attend to. Once you’re able to invest time in curating these resources for your board, it can reduce the time it takes to orient board members and can support your group to navigate conflict that arises.

Board Handbook Checklist

Source: BoardSource

Board Manual Template
Checklist for Onboarding New Board Members

Worker Self-Directed Governance

Amanda Valenzuela is a frequent contributor in the Nonprofit Democracy Network, and has published a number of articles and resources relevant to small, community-based organizations, particularly those interested in exploring alternative structures. Solidarity Economies Law Center was established to develop and support legal structures for alternative organizations. Resist is a Boston-based philanthropic foundation that transitioned to a worker self-directed nonprofit and has published materials about that journey.

Resources on Organizational Structure and Leadership
Resources for Worker Self-Directed Nonprofits
Transitioning to a Worker Self-Directed Nonprofit

Source: Resist

Annual Planning

An annual planning calendar helps with forward and backwards planning, and can help reduce last-minute scrambles to be ready for board meetings and reporting deadlines.

Forward planning: Building a plan/calendar that starts on day one and looks ahead to plan for major milestones and deadlines.

Backward planning: Starting with a future date (perhaps an event, an important deadline, or the end of the fiscal year), and working backwards to day one, noting major milestones and deadlines along the way. 

Logic Models & Theories of Change

Logic Models and Theories of Change have similar content, but traditional logic models are laid out in a linear fashion, where Theories of Change can have more circular connections.

Logic Models are often a visual representation of a program and its theory of change. They are useful in program planning, implementation, evaluation, and communication.

Theories of Change identify and utilize underlying assumptions and other factors to create causal pathways toward outcomes and impact for a program or organization. They are maps for activities, outputs, and outcomes that allow for long-term planning and evaluation.

How to Develop a Program Logic Model

Source: AmeriCorps

How to Develop a Logic Model

Source: The Compass

Overview of Theory of Change Work
Step-by-Step Guide to Develop Theory of Change
Fillable Theory of Change Templates
Theory of Change Examples

Strategic Planning, Prioritization, & Decision Making

There are MANY different ideas and theories about strategic planning, prioritization and decision making. Many of the tools out there are too time-consuming to make sense for small nonprofits! The options shared here are some highlights that are relevant for Small Budget, Community-Based Organizations (SBCBs).

Strategic Planning Approach Overview
Action Priority Matrix

Source: Mindtools

Framework for Decision Making
RAPID® Decision Making Framework

Source: Bain

Vision, Mission, & Values

Similar to strategic planning, there are many toolkits available for supporting development of vision, mission, and values.

Toolkit to Develop Vision, Mission, & More
Exercises to Establish & Actualize Values

Resources for Fundraising

Click a subtopic below to access helpful resources in that category.

If you are a current or former LZF grantee partner, we encourage you to utilize these resources in tandem with our Catalytic Consulting program offering. LZF has identified a list of trusted consultants who have expertise in all of these topics. They would be glad to support you in applying one or more of these templates/resources to your work in a way that’s tailored to your organization, at no cost to you. Learn more about this program here.

Fundraising Planning

Once you’ve planned your budget for the following fiscal year, it’s time to put together your fundraising plan. “This article presents a systematic way of creating an annual fundraising plan for your organization. The focus of this process is on strategies for building a base of individual donors in order to create a reliable and repeatable source of income.”

Fundraising Planning Worksheet

Source: Stephanie Roth, Mimi Ho, & Priscilla Hung

Communications Planning

This set of suggested activities and the related downloadable template are short and sweet! It’s great to do your fundraising and communications planning in parallel if you can.

Nonprofit Communications Plan Template

Source: Givebutter

Fundraising & Donor Management Platforms

Based on input from one of our Catalytic Consultants, as well as local experts like Resource Organizing Project, these are some of the most accessible and affordable donor management platforms.

We have intentionally not listed Salesforce, though it is one of the most well-known platforms. Salesforce was originally designed to serve the for-profit industry. Although there is a free or low cost version available for nonprofits, we have heard that organizations often spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars and staff time to get their otherwise “free” Salesforce account up and running. It is not very intuitive, sometimes has hidden or unforeseen costs, and requires extensive upkeep.

  • Offers donor database, fundraising tools and volunteer management software
  • Relatively affordable and simple, but also offers advanced tools as you grow
  • Specifically designed for small to midsize nonprofits
  • Developed specifically with organizers and movement organizations in mind.
  • Most affordable, easy to use, and very simple
  • A great starting point for really small organizations just starting to formalize donor management systems
  • Not the most affordable, but is the most comprehensive and reliable
  • Has easily available tools

Fundraising Guides & Tools

Nonprofit fundraising is both a science and an art – which makes it difficult to summarize into tools and templates! These templates are a good starting point to understand the range of strategies and advice that exist. This is a great way to use our Catalytic Consulting program, to get help with planning and prioritizing your fundraising efforts using these tools and templates.

Asks & Appeals Checklist, Guides, & Examples
Grant Writing Dos & Don'ts

Source: Grants Plus

Resource Organizing Project

Resources for Financial Management

Click a subtopic below to access helpful resources in that category.

If you are a current or former LZF grantee partner, we encourage you to utilize these resources in tandem with our Catalytic Consulting program offering. LZF has identified a list of trusted consultants who have expertise in all of these topics. They would be glad to support you in applying one or more of these templates/resources to your work in a way that’s tailored to your organization, at no cost to you. Learn more about this program here.

Financial Management Tools

One of LZF’s Catalytic Consultants who has long-expertise working in and supporting Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), recommends templates from the Wallace Foundation for nonprofits of all sizes. Current and alumni grantees can also contact LZF for Catalytic Consulting to customize the templates so they are most useful for your organizations.

Budget Toolkit: Guide & Templates
Cash Flow Instructional Video, Guide, & Templates
Financial Health Analysis Tools & Templates
Fiscal Management Templates & Checklists
Internal Controls Guide

Source: Blue Avocado

Financial Management Software

Nonprofits can access Quickbooks and other software online at a significant discount through TechSoup which has helpful resources about how to set up your Quickbooks and other tech.

Quickbooks Online Plus

Source: TechSoup

Guides for Setting Up Quickbooks

Source: TechSoup

Ramp for Payables & Receivables

Source: Ramp

Fiscal Sponsorship

Are you currently fiscally sponsored? Considering a fiscal sponsor? Considering leaving a fiscal sponsor to become an independent nonprofit? NOPI (the Nonprofit Organization for Philanthropic Initiatives) and the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors have a number of excellent resources to help you evaluate your options.

Fiscal Sponsorship Resources
How To Find A Fiscal Sponsor
10 Questions to Ask a Fiscal Sponsor

Resources for Human Resources

Click a subtopic below to access helpful resources in that category.

If you are a current or former LZF grantee partner, we encourage you to utilize these resources in tandem with our Catalytic Consulting program offering. LZF has identified a list of trusted consultants who have expertise in all of these topics. They would be glad to support you in applying one or more of these templates/resources to your work in a way that’s tailored to your organization, at no cost to you. Learn more about this program here.

HR Rules & Regulations

Human Resources rules and regulations are tricky because organizations have to meet both state and federal regulations, and HR laws change. If you’re a current or alumni grantee of LZF struggling with an HR issue, reach out about our Catalytic Consulting program to get support! The links provided are regularly updated, so if you’re looking for something specific (e.g. policy language) these are a great place to start.

Massachusetts Employment Laws
HR Forms & Templates

Source: HR.com

Staff Handbook

Thanks to TREC for this comprehensive staff handbook template for small organizations, which includes instructions about how to adapt it for your own purposes.

Hiring

Because HR has a lot of legal rules and regulations, it can be really helpful to start with tools and templates to make sure you are staying within the boundaries of what is legal.

Nonprofit Hiring Toolkit
Guide to Writing a Job Description
Legal & Illegal Interview Questions
Guide to Writing an Offer Letter

Employees vs. Contractors

Recently, the IRS started cracking down on organizations employing people as contractors when those people should be employees (eligible for employer tax contributions, among other things.) These guidelines help you determine whether you are in compliance with IRS and other legal regulations.

IRS Guidelines for Employees vs. Contractors

Source: IRS

Payroll Platforms

One of our LZF Catalytic Consultants, who is also a certified HR professional, recommends these payroll platforms for Small Budget, Community-Based Organizations (SBCBs) who need to pay employees.

Resources for Operations

Click a subtopic below to access helpful resources in that category.

If you are a current or former LZF grantee partner, we encourage you to utilize these resources in tandem with our Catalytic Consulting program offering. LZF has identified a list of trusted consultants who have expertise in all of these topics. They would be glad to support you in applying one or more of these templates/resources to your work in a way that’s tailored to your organization, at no cost to you. Learn more about this program here.

Digital Operations

This is a helpful self-evaluation tool to figure out what gaps you have in your digital toolbox. The Anti-Doxing Guidelines are helpful for protecting individual security in our difficult political climate.

Digital Assessment Tool for Nonprofits

Source: TechSoup

Anti-Doxing Guidelines

Source: Equality Labs

Nonprofit Insurance

There are so many types of insurance that it can be dizzying to understand what insurance you actually need. This helpful list gives an overview of different types of Nonprofit Insurance.

Nonprofit Insurance 101

LZF’s Catalytic Consulting Program

There are a wide range of logistical and operational needs amongst our grantees – ranging from lease negotiation and cleaning management for office and program spaces, transportation logistics, and background check requirements for those working with vulnerable populations. We have not attempted to curate operational resources for all of these different scenarios. However, if you are struggling with logistical and operational challenges, please reach out to us about our Catalytic Consulting program and we’ll find someone to help you!

Catalytic Consulting Program Overview