BUILD YOUR DATA PRACTICE
Free tools to help your nonprofit measure and communicate impact
From data mapping to evaluation planning, these resources give you practical frameworks you can implement immediately—no consultant required.
Browse Resources ↓START HERE
Three Essential Guides for Nonprofit Leaders
EMPATHY MAPS
Activity Download
Understand your stakeholders' perspectives and needs before designing your data strategy
What's inside:
- Stakeholder mapping framework
- Empathy canvas templates
- Step-by-step facilitation guide
DATA COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
Activity Download
Plan how you'll share your impact stories with the right audiences at the right time
What's inside:
- Audience analysis worksheet
- Communication planning template
- Message framing exercises
DATA CULTURE KIT
Activity Download
Build team alignment around data practices and create a culture of learning
What's inside:
- Team assessment tools
- Data culture discussion guides
- Implementation roadmap
PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS
Frameworks to guide your data and evaluation work
DATA MAPPING TOOLKIT
Map your organization's data landscape and identify gaps in your information systems
- Visual data mapping templates
- System inventory worksheets
- Gap analysis framework
- Integration planning guide
SELF-GUIDED EVALUATION TOOLKIT
Everything you need to design and implement your own evaluation—without hiring a consultant
- Evaluation purpose & scope planner
- Study design worksheets
- Data collection planning matrix
- Outcomes report templates
- Step-by-step implementation playbook
IMPACT ARTICULATION
Clarify what you measure and why it matters
These resources help you build the foundation for meaningful data practices by defining your theory of change and outcomes.
ARTICULATING YOUR IMPACT
Workshop Materials
Learn to map your theory of change and connect activities to outcomes
Includes: Theory of change mapping templates • Logic model frameworks • Reflection prompts and exercises • Examples from real nonprofit programs
Perfect for: Strategic planning sessions, program design, funder conversations
DEFINING OUTCOMES THAT MATTER
Workshop Materials
Write clear, measurable outcome statements that align with your mission and demonstrate real change
Includes: SMART outcomes framework • Outcome statement templates • Examples of strong vs. weak outcomes • Practice exercises with feedback guide
Perfect for: Grant writing, evaluation planning, program improvement
HOW TO USE THESE RESOURCES
IF YOU'RE JUST GETTING STARTED...
- Start with "Articulating Your Impact" to clarify your theory of change
- Download "Defining Outcomes" to write measurable statements
- Use the Empathy Maps to understand your stakeholders
IF YOU HAVE DATA BUT IT'S MESSY...
- Download the Data Mapping Toolkit to inventory what you have
- Use the Data Culture Kit to align your team around shared practices
- Build a Data Communication Strategy to share insights
IF YOU'RE READY TO EVALUATE...
- Download the Self-Guided Evaluation Toolkit
- Start with the Purpose & Scope Planner
- Follow the Implementation Playbook step-by-step
READY FOR MORE SUPPORT?
These tools are designed for self-implementation. But sometimes you need expert guidance to move faster and avoid common pitfalls.
TRAIL works with nonprofits to:
- Design evaluation studies that answer your most pressing questions
- Build sustainable data systems your team actually uses
- Develop team capacity to interpret and act on findings
- Craft impact stories that resonate with funders