Tools to Engage: Resources for Nonprofits

Welcome to Tools to Engage!

We’re so glad you’re here! Tools to Engage is an ever-changing compilation of the best resources from across the social sector, chosen for their particular focus on supporting constituent engagement and addressing systemic challenges, such as race, gender, and power inequities in the sector. These resources are aimed at organizational development experts, management support organizations, and internal and external consultants, but may be used by anyone who finds them useful.

The resources on this site are organized around categories aligned with the Nonprofits Integrating Community Engagement (NICE) Guide, which offers information, tools, case studies and other resources to help nonprofit groups develop core competencies on constituent and community engagement. Use the “Type,” “Category,” and “Keyword” search functions below, or feel free to just browse this collection of over 100 resources designed to help you advance your social change goals.

Please consider commenting on individual tools or in the Forum to let us know your experience with these resources. Access to commenting and to the Forum is restricted to members, but it’s free and easy to sign up!

 

Caught in the Middle: Conflict between Grassroots and Instrumental Forms of Civic Participation

This article explores the various roles of citizen participation in community based organizations (specifically community development corporations). It includes a “Citizen Participation Continuum” which helps organizations and groups understand the source of conflicts between different types of citizen participation and provides organizations with a road map for evaluating programs that promote change in society.


The Hub- Sacramento Building Healthy Communities (BHC)

The Hub Sacramento Building Healthy Communities (BHC) is a media portal for the California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities Initiative in South Sacramento. A key part of the Hub’s role is to support the empowerment and engagement of individuals who participate, build relationships, and help to create a big picture for improving communities.


Café to Go: A Quick Reference Guide for Hosting World Café

The World Café has been asking important questions and sparking conversations for many years all over the world. These guidelines provide the tools needed to hold a Café conversation that can be used in many different settings and with a variety of stakeholders.


Theory of Change

Theory of Change is a method or technique that can assist communities to think about, plan and evaluate their work. It involves ‘backwards mapping’ from the goals or desired outcomes of the program to identify what is needed in the program design to accomplish these goals. This website offers in depth resources, guides, and examples for how to develop and apply a TOC.


Theory of Change Facilitator Source Book

This facilitator source book defines Theory of Change vocabulary, offers suggestions for preparation for group process, and provides a step-by-step explanation of what it takes to design a Theory of Change.


Social Service to Social Change: A Process Guide

In 2006, the Building Movement Project published Social Service to Social Change: A Process Guide for staff and board members of nonprofit organizations to learn to incorporate social change values and practice into their work. While it has many activities, understanding the “Transformation Process” on page nine is foundational to making lasting change.


Theories of Change and Logic Models: Telling Them Apart

A logic model can be used separately or in addition to a TOC, though the focus of a logic model is more programmatic. Two sources are offered here: (1) a guide to developing a logic model and, (2) a presentation that helps distinguish between the two.


Developing a Logic Model or Theory of Change

This section of “Other Models for Promoting Community Health and Development,” from the Community Tools Box, answers the following questions:
1) What is a logic model?
2) When can a logic model be used?
3) How do you create a logic model?
4) What makes a logic model effective?
5) What are the benefits and limitations of logic modeling?


Organizational Readiness Assessment

The Organizational Readiness Assessment is designed as a tool to help organizations explore the status of their vision and mission, their relationship to staff, partners and constituents, and their leadership approach as part of an organizational culture conducive to social change efforts.


Organizational Readiness Assessment-Facilitator’s Guide

This guide is for facilitators administering the Organizational Readiness Assessment Tool.