Most organizations can describe what they do, but explaining how those activities contribute to meaningful change can be more challenging. A logic model helps make those connections visible, creating a shared understanding of what a program does, why it matters, and what it hopes to achieve.
The Logic Model Basics Guide helps nonprofit and social impact organizations understand, develop, and use logic models as practical tools for program planning, evaluation, and broader communication. Drawing on BSRI’s experience facilitating logic model development with community-based organizations, the guide introduces a straightforward approach to connecting everyday activities with measurable outcomes and long-term impact.
This resource begins by introducing the concept of a Theory of Change, encouraging organizations to start with the impact they hope to achieve and work backward to identify the actions needed to get there. From this foundation, the guide walks you through the five core components of a logic model:
- Resources: The people, funding, partnerships, tools, and other assets needed to deliver a program.
- Activities: The specific services, events, and actions an organization carries out.
- Outputs: The direct, measurable products or results of those activities.
- Outcomes: The changes in knowledge, behavior, conditions, or experiences that result from the work.
- Impact: The broader, long-term change the program is working toward.
Throughout the guide, there is a case study which demonstrates how each component connects to the next.
The resource also offers guidance on developing logic models collaboratively, identifying underlying assumptions, keeping expectations realistic, and revisiting models as programs evolve. It explains how a completed logic model can serve as the foundation for an evaluation plan by clarifying what organizations should track, measure, and learn from their work.
To support implementation, the appendix includes the BSRI Logic Model Checklist, a practical review tool that helps teams assess whether their logic model is complete, clear, realistic, and ready to use. The checklist includes reflection questions related to resources, activities, outputs, outcomes, impact, assumptions, language, scope, and evaluation readiness.
This resource is particularly useful for:
- Nonprofits developing logic models for grant applications or funding proposals.
- Organizations designing new programs or refining existing ones.
- Teams seeking greater alignment around program goals and intended outcomes.
- Leaders preparing for strategic planning or evaluation activities.
- Organizations looking to strengthen how they communicate their work and demonstrate impact.
At BSRI, we view logic models as more than planning documents. When developed collaboratively and used intentionally, they help organizations clarify their purpose, align their efforts, identify opportunities for improvement, and build a stronger foundation for learning and decision-making –Â all necessary components to create long-term impact.
