• Planning Overview (Word) or (PDF)
• Action planning (Word) or (PDF)
• Monitoring and Evaluation (Word) or (PDF)
• Strategic Planning (Word) or (PDF)
• AGNA Resource Guide for National Associations (PDF)

Toolkits from other organisations
* These toolkits have not been produced by CIVICUS.  Please contact the relevant organisation with any questions/comments

Managing NGOs: How to lead organisations more effectively

Non-Profit Management Resources
Running a non-profit organisation is challenging work, and it often helps to seek advice from others in similar situations. Action without Borders provides a guide to resources on running non-profit organisations, including information on starting an organisation, recruiting and managing volunteers, and fundraising. View the guide at www.idealist.org/tools/management-resources.html

Capacity Building for Local NGOs - Guidance Manual for Good Practice
Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR) and International Cooperation for Development (ICD)
This comprehensive manual on capacity building for local NGOs can be used by trainers and development workers or by local NGOs in developing countries as a self-help manual. The manual was developed from practical capacity building work with organisations in Somaliland . It includes examples and exercises for users to work through. It should prove to be a valuable aid to organisations and individuals working in capacity building in developing countries - and to local NGOs seeking guidance on how to effectively set and achieve their objectives. Download the free manual in PDF format at www.ciir.org/Templates/System/Basket.asp?NodeID=91675.

'Managing Your NGO'
Association for Progressive Communications
This toolkit was developed in response to the growing tension faced by NGOs as they seek to balance sustainable business practice with their missions. It brings together the creative ideas, expertise and experiences of members and private sector partners and includes articles, issue-specific presentations and ready-to-use forms that address the various business planning processes for mission-driven organisations. For further details see www.apc.org/english/capacity/business/index.shtml

Software and Management tools for non-profit organisations
Malian Foundation
The Australia-based Malian Foundation is offering free computer software and management tools to non-profit organisations (NPOs). It offers:"Transact", a specialised tool which helps charities to manage inventories, donor orders and point of sale activities more efficiently; "Communicate" which can assist non-profit organisations to build closer relationships with donors; and "Discover" which provides support in training volunteers. It also offers business-planning tools such as "Venture", "Publish" and "Govern" for the effective fiscal management in accordance with international accounting standards. To download the software and tool, register at: www.malianfoundation.org/auth/locked.cgi

Effective Capacity Building in Non-Profit Organisations
This report offers insights and examples of how non-profits are building up their organisational muscle, contributing to the growing conversations on how to help nonprofits become stronger, more sustainable and better able to serve their communities. The report also includes a practical assessment tool that non-profits can use to measure their own organisational capacity. Download a copy at http://vppartners.org/learning/reports/capacity/capacity.html

Manage: Risk Assessment
Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) Member Services
This 2004 guide is a careful examination of what could potentially cause harm to people. It involves identifying the hazards present and then evaluates the extent of the risk they pose. This guide uses five steps to explore the issue and includes a proforma to help you conduct your own risk assessment. Download a PDF copy at www.nicva.org/index.cfm/section/Publications/key/954BF43E-B0D0-7815-0F93C7C129364064

Non-Profit Good Practice Guide
This guide is a useful resource for those who are new to the sector. The easy-to-use site offers key information designed to help manage a nonprofit organisation efficiently and effectively. Follow the links to find articles, standards of practice, resources and glossaries to ten different topics which include Accountability and Evaluation, Advocacy, Fundraising and Financial Sustainability and Governance. Visitors to the site are also encouraged to share their experiences, comments, suggestions and resources. To view the guide, visit www.npgoodpractice.org.

Business Planning Toolkit for Mission-Driven Organisations
The Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
This useful toolkit includes articles, issue-specific presentations and template forms that address the various business planning processes for mission-driven organisations. The toolkit is divided into six free-standing chapters with links to the relevant documents you will need to download. For more information, visit www.apc.org/english/ngos/business/busplan/index.htm.

Community Problem Solving
Harvard University
This learning resource includes free strategy and programme tools developed to facilitate local problem-solving, plus a portal to links worldwide and a learning community for peer exchange. To access the tools, visit www.community-problem-solving.net/

Online open source Monitoring and Evaluation tool
International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD)
This open source tool for internet-based surveys is specifically designed for IICDs target group. Imagine collecting data from 2000 beneficiaries per year in over nine developing countries annually. How to administer all the collected data and share the use of a single system amongst local evaluation partners? For more information, see www.iicd.org/articles/iicdnews.2005-05-09.8711099501. A test and training version of the tool is available at http://testsurvey.iicd.org

Tools for Policy Impact: A Handbook for Researchers