Logic Model
A logic model is a tool used by nonprofits to illustrate their impact. It is a one-page explanation of the connections between what you plan to put into a program and what you expect to deliver. It can serve as a powerful tool for focusing and articulating vision. It also serves as a built-in monitoring system to check in on programs, compare to goals, and make adjustments when needed. Finally, it can also increase donors and funders’ trust in the organization that is willing and able to strategically plan programs, measure their effectiveness, and prove the value of each investment.
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The logic model does three main things:
- It connects the dots for donors and funders between what you say you need and what you promise to produce.
- It builds credibility for your organization because you clearly show the logic behind your decisions – why you decided to do what you do and how you can prove it worked.
- It unites the focus of staff around the key deliverables in a program.
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They are usually constructed around just one program, with many nonprofits building a logic model for each major program they have. You can make a logic model for an existing or planned program.
The Five Categories:
Inputs:
Nickname: The Recipe
Question: What Do We Need?
This category captures all you plan to put into the particular program. It includes materials, supplies, staff time, building usage, curriculum, in-kind donations, etc… anything it takes to make the program run. Think of it as “the recipe”.
Activity:
Nickname: The Action
Question: What Will We Do With our Program?
This is what you plan to do with all of the inputs to accomplishing your desired result. It is a straightforward listing of the activities you plan to do. This could include things like classroom instruction, live events, seminars, free lunches, etc. This is the action that you will do.
Outputs:
Nickname: The Results
Question: What happened?
This is what you expect to happen as a natural result of your activity. This is NOT a measure of effectiveness, but a measure of what happened. If the activity was to hand out fliers, your output would be number of fliers handed out. Many nonprofits focus on measuring and communicating outputs. If the activity was giving seminars around the world, an output could be number of miles flown by instructors. Outputs will almost always begin with “number of x.”
Outcomes:
Nickname: The Change
Question: What Good Did it Do?
This is perhaps the most important element of the logic model. Outputs are the measurements that capture what changed from how things were before you did your activity. Strong outcomes will show positive changes in areas that logically connect to your program’s intended impact. These measurements require prior planning, because you will need baselines to illustrate where the population was before your intervention and where they are now as a direct result of your action. Outcomes will almost always start with “percentage change in x.”
Impact:
Nickname: The Hope
Question: What Are We Going to Change?
The impact portion of a logic model is a simple, straightforward statement explaining what you hope to see for this population 8-10 years from now.
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Find an example on our website under the tab "downloadables".
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Contact Kayce at http://savenineconsulting.com/ and find out more at www.youcanmentor.com
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