A well-designed program is the thing that makes your organization grant-ready and marketable. When a program starts from a clear, evidenced need and ends in measurable outcomes, it becomes both a fundable case and a story you can tell. These free guides walk through designing programs, building logic models, and reporting impact — in plain language.
Start from an evidenced need, define your population, pick an evidence-based approach, and build outcomes in — so funders back it and you can market it.
Program DesignInputs → activities → outputs → outcomes → impact, with a full worked example — the backbone of every strong grant proposal.
Program DesignMap the long-term change you want and every step that gets you there — the strategic layer above your logic model, built by working backward.
Program DesignMove beyond counting activities to measuring real change — strong indicators, baselines, targets, and low-cost data collection that holds up.
Program DesignFormative vs. summative, internal vs. external, and a simple evaluation plan — questions, methods, timeline, responsibility — on a small budget.
Program DesignChoose metrics tied to outcomes, collect data simply, and tell the impact story with numbers and a human example — for accountability and marketing.
EquityMove from values to practice — the IAP2 engagement spectrum, equitable evaluation, inclusive governance, and authentic community voice.
Designing and evaluating programs properly takes staff hours — hours that get eaten by chasing the next campaign. Good Circles gives your nonprofit recurring, unrestricted income with almost no labor: supporters pick your cause once, then a share of their everyday local spending funds you automatically — about $72 per active supporter per year (≈ $36,000/year from 500 supporters), free to join. A steady base buys back the time to build programs funders actually reward.
See how it works for nonprofits →