Nonprofit Management

Managing in Tough Times: 7 Steps (Bridgespan Group)
Insights and advice from clients, from other nonprofit leaders and experts, and from our own leadership.

Opportunities In Lean Times: What’s A Nonprofit To Do? (Fieldstone Alliance)
While we don’t have a crystal ball to foresee the future, we are in the business of helping others figure out how to move forward. Here are steps we recommend.

Focus on the Economic Crisis (Foundation Center)
A myriad of resources on the effect of the economy on philanthropy and nonprofits, including articles from experts in the field, links to additional resources and events, and a bibliography of online and print resources dealing with nonprofits and the economic downturn.

Navigating the Financial Crisis: A Nonprofit FAQ (Nonprofit Finance Fund)
Questions and answers about what nonprofits should do and should avoid, plus links to additional resources.

A-Z Survival Guide for Uncertain Times (Philanthropy News Digest)
A compilation of Michael Seltzer’s past writings and strategy recommendations learned from grantees, clients, and fellow consultants.

Sustaining Nonprofits During Economic Downturns (Nonprofit Risk Management Center)
George Thread, PhD provides insight on both threats and opportunities for nonprofits during times of economic recession

Strategic and Business Planning

Business Planning for Nonprofits: What it is and why it matters.
by Kelly Campbell, Betsy Haley of The Bridgespan Group

Sample Business Plans

Wyoming Small Business Development Center
WSBDC will help you write your business plan or provide business plan review, as well as provide free market research.

Ten Keys to Successful Strategic Planning for Nonprofit and Foundation Leaders
By Richard Mittenthal

How to Evaluate Board of Directors

Evaluation and Outcome Measurement

United Way of America-Outcome Measurement Resource Network
Offers information, downloadable documents, and links to resources related to the identification and measurement of program- and community-level outcomes.

Resources for Evaluation
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Excellence and Ethics

Standards for Excellence Institute
Guiding principles and standards for excellence in the areas of governance, financial systems, personnel practices, fundraising activities, public affairs and more.

Panel on the Nonprofit Sector
Formed by Independent Sector in October 2004 at the encouragement of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the Panel will prepare recommendations for Congress to improve the oversight and governance of charitable organizations.  Download the Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice: A Guide for Charities and Foundations, outlining 33 practices designed to support board members and staff leaders of every charitable organization as they work to improve their own operations.

Organizational Assessment

Drucker Foundation Self-Assessment Tool
(click on self-assessment) Provides a process for nonprofit organizations to clarify mission, define results, set goals, and develop a focused plan; downloads in sections.

Collaboration and Strategic Alliances

The Leader to Leader Institute
(formerly Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management)
Books and articles relevant to collaboration, such as “Meeting the Collaboration Challenge”, a free download-able workbook and “Emerging Partnerships: New Ways in a New World” articulating the principles of partnership.

Coming Together – Building Community Collaboration and Consensus
This link provides practical information for building collaborative partnerships, identifying and engaging stakeholders, developing and completing goals and objectives, and achieving success.

Model Guidelines for Nonprofits
This link leads you to a four page guideline for proposed partnerships, ethical guidelines and questions for review.