Logic Models: What they are and how to create your own!

As a nonprofit, it is likely you’ve heard of or even put together some version of your own logic model (aka: theory of change or--as we refer to them at True Impact--your Impact model). Logic models are often used for planning and goal setting, but we’re here to share that logic models can also be a smart tool for sharing your story externally. 

A quick refresher: A logic model is essentially your program's roadmap, illustrating what sorts of inputs will be utilized and how those will ultimately contribute to your intended impacts. Having a logic model can help guide your work and support your decision-making. They allow your organization to know what to measure, identify improvements to make, and ultimately tell your story in a clear and concise way.

The problem is, logic models have a bad rap as being overly complicated, academic tools. When people think of logic models, they see this image in their mind.

Instead of picturing this maze, picture riding an elevator with someone who is new to your work.

 

You start on the ground level by giving an overview of who you want to reach. And then, at each subsequent floor, imagine your new friend asking you “and then what happens?”  

Let’s run through an example of this: Through the training of volunteers we are able to reach 500 students in our after-school program. After engaging in the program, students are able to learn new skills and participate in new service projects. Ultimately, 450 of those students will go on to improve their grades and increase their school attendance as a result of participating in our program! 

At True Impact, we use a logic model approach to help nonprofits tell their impact stories in a compelling and sequential manner.

We believe a logic model can help detail the most important aspects of your work and highlight your end outcomes in a way that captures a donor's attention and allows them to see the full scope of your program. 

The following is our suggested three step approach for creating your own logic model to best tell your story of impact:

1. Review True Impact's five stage logic model and determine which are relevant for your program.

The five logic model stages (in order) include:

  • Program Development: (optional) The number of improvements in infrastructure, operating practices, systems, or staff used to deliver a program’s services.
  • Reach: The number of people served by the program
  • Learn: (optional) The number of people who then gain kills, knowledge, or motivation
  • Act: (optional) The number of people who then take action or change behavior
  • Succeed: The number of people who improve their lives because of the program

While True Impact’s model has five possible stages, the only two stages we believe all programs should be required to include are Reach and Succeed. Your programming may not have aspects of Program Development, Learning, or Action, and that’s okay! For example, many educational programs do not include an Act stage as students are impacted directly by learning. In many cases, even a two-step logic model is just as effective. 

2. Identify and define only your most important indicators for each stage.

Now that you’ve identified which logic model stages are relevant for your program, identify the indicators specific to each stage. For example, if you run an after-school program for children, you might identify the following indicators for each stage you’ve included:

Program Development
  • Indicator: Curriculum developed
Reach
  • Indicator: Students who signed up for the after-school program
Learn
  • Indicator: Students who improved their grades
Act
  • Indicator: Students who advanced to the next grade level
Succeed
  • Indicator: Students who improved their mental health and wellbeing
  • Indicator: Students who graduated high school

Think of your indicators as the measures of success for each stage of the model.  

3. Bring your logic model to life.

Now that you’ve created your logic model template by incorporating the relevant stages and identifying indicators for each stage, you can add in numbers and success definitions to bring it to life! Are you using the logic model to highlight how a program did in the past? Then you can quantify and define each indicator based on past results. Or, are you using a logic model to detail what you hope to accomplish by the end of this program year? Then quantify each indicator with a forecast of your intended results! Adding figures and success criteria will help showcase the scope of your work, personalize the logic model to your program, and bring your impact data front and center.

This is what bringing our example logic model to life might look like:

Screenshot 2024-06-20 at 1.09.46 PM


logic model templateTo get started, make a copy of this resource to build out your own logic model.

Logic models, often regarded as internal planning tools, possess untapped potential as powerful instruments for external storytelling within the nonprofit sector. While traditionally seen as complex and academic, logic models can be reframed as accessible narratives. By focusing on key stages such as Reach and Succeed, nonprofits can craft concise and compelling stories of impact. At True Impact, we advocate for harnessing the narrative potential of logic models, offering a simplified three-step approach to help nonprofits articulate their impact stories with clarity. Let your logic model not only guide your work but also illuminate the transformative journey your organization undertakes to make a difference in the lives of those you serve. 


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