Tools & Resources
Saving you time (and money!) and serving as a source of inspiration for your own work.
A toolkit of successfully implemented best practices
We’ve compiled a variety of tools and templates from local nonprofits and nationally recognized sources that have successfully been implemented by others. The purpose of these templates is to save you time and give you some inspiration as you think about ways to improve or alter the strategic direction and operations of your organization. We have also included a toolkit here that is specifically designed to help with organizing collaborations between nonprofits.
CONFERENCE RESOURCES
The June 2024 Strategic Thinking Mini-Conference provided resources on setting goals, planning effective solutions, and incorporating these tactics into the day-to-day schedule at your organization. Couldn’t attend? Get the best resources from the conference below!
Strategic Planning Readiness and Implementation
Kate McNally of NYCON presented on a nonprofit’s readiness to engage in a planning process, designing an appropriate process and how to build systems for implementation.
Strategic Foresight: Scenario Planning
Ricardo Guardiola of Decision Associates presented on a step-by-step framework to proactively forecast how different trends can create different future scenarios, and how nonprofits can prepare for them.
BLAST
PLANNING
Nikki Ronan of City of Light Creative and Consulting presented an approach to help nonprofits deal with strategic planning in a more practical and approachable way that allows organizations to grow to be more agile, adaptable and sustainable.
Nonprofit Resource Library
To access resources, expand each category, then click the link to access a resource.
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NYCON Board Training Series: TCL hosted a six-part webinar series presented by NYCON. Click here to view a recording and slides for each listed session.
Board Source: BoardSource offers free and members paid resources on an extensive range of tools, trainings, and research on board leadership. Several free resources are linked below. Click here to view the full resource library.
Free Resources:
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7 Steps to Creating Your Best Nonprofit Marketing Plan (guide), Network for Good
Communications Plan Template (guide), Sprout Social
Communications Plan Template, LightBox Collaborative
Editorial Calendar Events & Anniversaries, Into Action Lab
7 Steps to Build Your Social Media Marketing Strategy (guide), Sprout Social
Social Media Metrics (article), Sprout Social
Social Media for Nonprofits Guide (article), Zeffy
Email Marketing for Nonprofits Guide (article), Zeffy
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Create a Fundraising Plan (guide), Network for Good
The Annual Fund: A Building Block for Fund Raising (article), Henry Rosso
Measuring Fundraising Effectiveness (guide), Association of Fundraising Professionals, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GuideStar
Understanding & Evaluating Your Fundraising Strategy Toolkit (guide), Association of Fundraising Professionals, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GuideStar
Donor Management System Comparison Sheet, Linda Ray
What to look for in a Donor Management System (article), Linda Ray
Maximize Lifetime Value of Your Donor Database (guide), Bloomerang
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Lenses of Humanity (slides), Dr. Kyle Reyes
Lenses of Humanity - Part 1 (video), Dr. Kyle Reyes
Why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Matter for Nonprofits (article), National Council of Nonprofits
Organizational Racial Equity Self-Assessment Survey (template), Chautauqua County IDEA Coalition
Awake to Woke to Work: Building a Race Equity Culture (guide), Equity in the Center
10 Things to Know About Board Diversity (article), Maryland Nonprofits
A Guide for Boards and Chief Executives on a Racial Equity Journey (guide), Board Source
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Financial Management for Nonprofits (guide), Corp. for Supportive Housing
Budgeting Manual Nonprofits (guide), CompassPoint Nonprofit Services
Five-Step Guide to Budget Development (templates), Fiscal Management Associates
Budgeting Best Practices (article & video), Nonprofit Finance Fund
Budgeting Scenario Tool (video & template), Nonprofit Finance Fund
Cash Flow Projection Tool (video & template), Nonprofit Finance Fund
Cash Flow Management (article & template), Propel Nonprofits
True Program Costs (article & templates), Propel Nonprofits
Reporting Financials to the Board (article), Propel Nonprofits
Financial Management- Self Assessment (template), Propel Nonprofits
Nonprofit Financial Infrastructure Self-Assessment (guide), Fiscal Management Associates
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Strategic Planning Readiness and Implementation (slides), NYCON
Strategic Planning Readiness - Checklist (template), NYCON
Blast Planning (slides), City of Light Creative and Consulting
Strategic Foresight: Scenario Planning (slides), Decision Associates
Scenario Planning Activity - Worksheet (template), Decision Associates
Six-step Guide to Implementing Your Strategic Plan (guide), Bridgespan Group
Strategic Planning in Nonprofits (SPIN) Guide, Nonprofit Association of Washington
FACEBOOK GROUP
This private group is a forum for Chautauqua County nonprofits to connect and share information, resources, growth strategies, and more.