Tools & Resources
Mind Maps
This tool (from Mind Tools) describes a useful approach to note-taking that can be used during a brainstorming session to help you break large topics down into manageable chunks.
Brainstorming
This tool (from Mind Tools) describes why and how to use brainstorming to generate ideas.
Channeling Change: Making Collective Impact Work
This tool (from Stanford Social Innovation Review) is a follow up to the popular Collective Impact article by the same authors. Its focus is on answering commonly asked questions: How do we begin? How do we create alignment? How do we sustain the initiative? It can be found in Act on What's Important and Work Together under...
Succession Planning
This tool (from helpfornonprofits.org) includes tips for accomplishing a systems-focused succession plan.
Catalytic Philanthropy
This tool (from Stanford Social Innovation Review) describes what funders can do to sustain community improvement initiatives.
Putting It All Together: Creating and Working with a Budget Document
This tool (from Community Tool Box) provides guidance that can help you manage finances, including five steps for analyzing and adjusting a budget, and steps for creating a budget document.
How Should I Make a Business Plan?
This tool (from Community Tool Box) provides guidance on developing a business plan, including what it should contain, how it should be written, and how it should be packaged.
Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory
This tool (from Wilder Research) is a free online questionnaire that can help you assess how your coalition is functioning generally.
Find it in Evaluate Actions under Evaluate Your Partnership and Make Changes.
Checklist for Sharing Positions and Other Resources
This tool (from Community Tool Box) can help you evaluate how to share resources, including people, time, technology, facilities, training, technical assistance, and money.
Identifying and Analyzing Stakeholders and Their Interests Checklist
This checklist (from Community Tool Box) includes key points from Section 8: Identifying and Analyzing Stakeholders and their Interests including what it means to identify stakeholders and their interests, why it’s important to do, and when and how to do it.