Toolbox · 27 free resources
The best free resources for local NGOs, by task
A short, hand-picked list: for each job a local organisation faces, one or two free resources that do it well. The readiness check links to the right one for every gap it finds.
Get ready for assessments
- C4C Due Diligence Passporting ToolCharter for Change and Humentum · The shared assessment some INGOs reuse, so partners are not assessed again. English, French, Spanish.
- PSEA resource package for UN partnersUN Partner Portal · The UN PSEA self-assessment, guidance in many languages, and an e-learning course.
- Finance Health CheckHumentum · Free self-check of budgeting, accounting, controls and reporting, for small and medium NGOs.
Registration, board and strategy
- Civic Freedom MonitorICNL · Country reports on the laws that affect civil society, including registration.
- Effective governance: a guide for small and diaspora NGOsINTRAC · Tools and tips for building a board that works.
- Strategic planning: a toolkit for small NGOsINTRAC · Step-by-step planning for small organisations. Open licence.
Money and fair overheads
- Finance Health CheckHumentum · Free self-check of budgeting, accounting, controls and reporting, for small and medium NGOs.
- Budgeting guide for NGOsHumentum · Plan, monitor and review a budget, with a monitoring checklist.
- Guidance on overheads for local and national partnersIASC (2022) · The sector's guidance on passing overheads to local partners.
- How UN pooled funds workExplainer hosted by InterAction · Country-based pooled funds are open to national NGOs that meet minimum standards.
Buying and supplies
- Logistics Operational GuideLogistics Cluster · Procurement, supplier management, warehousing and stock control, with fraud prevention.
Safeguarding
- PSEA practical guide and toolkitUNICEF, via the Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub · Policy, reporting, investigation and survivor support, with 13 templates and forms.
- Best practice guide: community-based complaint mechanismsIASC (2016) · How to set up safe channels for communities to report concerns, with a checklist.
- SEAH investigation guideCHS Alliance · Survivor-centred investigation practice, in eight languages.
- Misconduct Disclosure SchemeCHS Alliance and SCHR · Lets employers check whether a candidate has substantiated SEAH findings. Free to join, according to CHS Alliance; used by over 380 organisations.
Fraud and sanctions
- Essentials of anti-corruption (online course)U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre · Free, self-paced, about three hours.
- UN Security Council Consolidated ListUnited Nations · Search the UN sanctions list before contracting a partner or supplier. Six languages.
- OpenSanctions research toolOpenSanctions · Search many sanctions and watch lists at once in your browser; free for non-commercial users.
Staff safety and digital security
- Security risk management: a basic guide for smaller NGOsGISF (EISF, 2017) · Written for staff in smaller NGOs who are responsible for security.
- Digital Security HelplineAccess Now · Free, 24/7 help for civil society with hacked accounts, device security and backups. Ten languages.
Accountability and data
- Core Humanitarian Standard (2024)CHS Alliance, Sphere, Groupe URD · The shared commitments on quality and accountability, including feedback and complaints. Many languages.
- Operational guidance on data responsibilityIASC (2023), via the Centre for Humanitarian Data · Handling personal and sensitive data safely in humanitarian work.
- KoboToolboxKobo · Free mobile data collection for non-profits, including offline forms.
Sharing risk with partners
- Risk Sharing FrameworkRisk Sharing Platform · How partners can agree who carries each risk, and how to share it.
Free learning and information
- Kaya free coursesHumanitarian Leadership Academy · Over 900 free online courses, in up to 12 languages.
- DisasterReadyCornerstone Foundation · Over 1,800 free courses, including safety, security and safeguarding; offline mobile app.
- HELP LibraryALNAP · More than 20,000 evaluations, guidance documents and tools.
- ReliefWeb ResponseUN OCHA · Operational information for each country and emergency.
Every link is free to use and was checked in October 2026. Aidfolio is not affiliated with these organisations. Know a better free resource? Email richard@aidfolio.org.
Common questions
How were these resources chosen?
For each job a local organisation faces, we picked one or two free resources that do it well, favouring practical guides, templates and courses in several languages. Every link was checked in October 2026.
Are they really free?
Yes. Every resource listed is free to use. A few, such as OpenSanctions, are free for non-commercial users.
Is Aidfolio affiliated with these organisations?
No. Aidfolio is independent and receives nothing for listing a resource.
Can I suggest a resource?
Yes, email richard@aidfolio.org with the link and the job it helps with.