Programs are designed to carry out the mission of the organization. When developing new programs, nonprofits often conduct needs assessments and obtain feedback from community members, staff and other stakeholders to ensure that there is an adequate demand for a new program and that it remains true to the organization’s mission. A program should not be created for the sole purpose of generating money for the organization and should end when its services are no longer needed. Evaluation is an important component to programs, as it provides valuable insight into how well a program is performing, how cost-effective it is and whether or not it is achieving its desired goals.

Web Resources

• Free Management Library
  Basic Guide to Nonprofit Program Design and Marketing: an overview of program design with examples and recommended reading materials

Publications

• Altschuld, James. W., and Belle Ruth Witkin. 2000. From Needs Assessment to Action: Transforming Needs into Solution Strategies. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Linnell, Deborah, Zora Radosevich, and Jonathan Spack. 2002. Executive Directors Guide: The Guide for Successful Nonprofit Management. Boston: Third Sector New England.
• Kettner, Peter, Robert Moroney, and Lawrence Martin. 1999. Designing and Managing Programs: An Effectiveness-Based Approach 2nd Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
  Guides the reader through the program planning process, including needs assessments, measurement approaches, goals, budgeting, evaluation and more
• Pawlak, Edward J., and Robert D. Vinter. 2004. Designing and Planning Programs for Nonprofit and Government Organizations. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  A guide for nonprofit and government organizations; covers the program planning process from start to finish