How to Use a Logic Model Template to Strengthen Your Grant Applications
Building a strong grant application can feel overwhelming, especially when funders ask for a logic model.
A logic model is simply a visual way to explain how your program works and the difference it will make. And once you learn how to use a logic model template, it becomes a powerful tool you can use again and again.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what a logic model is, why it matters, and how you can easily build one for your nonprofit using our free downloadable template.
What Is a Logic Model?
A logic model is like a blueprint for your nonprofit or a roadmap for your program. It’s a simple, one-page visual that shows how your program works, from the resources you need to the change you hope to create.
Logic models answer five key questions:
“What do we have to work with?” or “What resources do we you have?” (inputs)
“What will we do?” (activities)
“What will we produce or deliver that is measurable?” (outputs)
“What measurable changes will happen because of our work?” (outcomes)
“What lasting difference will we make?” (impact)
Instead of overwhelming funders with long paragraphs, logic models give them a clear, at-a-glance view of your program’s design and goals.
For example:
If you run a mobile food pantry, your logic model might show that with the help of volunteers and food donations (inputs), you distribute food weekly to families in need (activities), serving approximately 500 households each month (outputs), reducing food insecurity in your community by 30% (outcomes), and building a healthier, more resilient community over time (impact).
Using a logic model template makes this process faster and easier. Logic models help you organize your ideas, stay focused, and communicate your program’s value with clarity and confidence.
Why Having a Logic Model for Every Program Matters
A logic model isn’t just a box to check on a grant application, but a tool that strengthens your entire program.
Here’s why every nonprofit, no matter the size, should create a logic model for each major program:
Logic models clarify your program’s design.
When you put your inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact down on paper, it forces you to think critically about how each piece connects. If something is missing or unclear, you’ll spot it early.
Logic models build funder confidence.
Funders want to invest in programs that are well thought-out, data-based, and results-driven. A detailed logic model shows them that you’ve mapped a realistic path to achieving meaningful change.
Logic models can help keep your team aligned.
Staff, volunteers, and partners can use the logic model as a shared roadmap. Logic models help everyone understand what you’re all working toward and why their role matters.
Logic models make reporting and evaluation easier.
When it’s time to measure results, a logic model gives you clear metrics to track. You can show how activities led to outcomes, which strengthens future grant reports and funding renewals.
Logic models support program improvement over time.
As your program evolves, your logic model can evolve too. The logic model acts as a living document that helps you refine activities, adapt to changing needs, and stay focused on long-term goals.
Even grassroots nonprofits with limited staff and funding benefit from creating logic models. In fact, starting simple, like with our free logic model template, is often the smartest way to grow your program’s impact while keeping things manageable.
Breaking Down the Key Areas of a Logic Model
When you look at a logic model, you’ll see five key sections. Each one plays an important role in telling the story of your program.
Inputs
Inputs are the resources you need to deliver your program.
This includes funding, staff, volunteers, facilities, supplies, technology, and partnerships.
Mock Example (Food Pantry):
Donations from local grocery stores
Staff time from a program coordinator
Volunteer drivers for food deliveries
Tip: Funders want to know you have (or will secure) the right resources to run the program effectively.
Activities
Activities are the specific tasks or services your organization will carry out.
They are the things you will do using the resources you outlined in your inputs.
Mock Example (Food Pantry):
Distributing food boxes every Friday
Holding monthly nutrition education workshops
Conducting intake assessments for new participants
Tip: Be as clear and specific as possible. Activities should link directly to your program goals.
Outputs
Outputs are the immediate, tangible results of your activities.
They are usually easy to measure and often numbers-based.
Mock Example (Food Pantry):
2,000 meals distributed per month
100 families attending nutrition workshops
300 intake assessments completed
Tip: Outputs measure what you produced or delivered, not the deeper change (that’s for outcomes!).
Outcomes
Outcomes are the short-term and medium-term changes or benefits your participants experience because of your program.
Mock Example (Food Pantry):
Families report decreased food insecurity within six months
Participants show improved knowledge of healthy eating
Youth participants demonstrate better school attendance
Tip: Outcomes are about change—in behavior, knowledge, skills, or conditions.
Impact
Impact is the long-term, big-picture difference your program aims to make.
It’s the reason your program exists in the first place.
Mock Example (Food Pantry):
A healthier community with reduced rates of diet-related diseases
Increased high school graduation rates in the community
Lower levels of poverty due to improved family stability
Tip: Impact may take years to fully measure, but it keeps everyone focused on your ultimate goal(s).
By using a logic model template to clearly map these five areas, you create a powerful and easy-to-follow story of how your program turns resources into real, lasting change.
Prompts to Help You Fill Out Your Logic Model
If you’ve never built a logic model before, it can feel tricky to know where to start. These simple questions can help guide you through each section step-by-step.
Inputs
What people, skills, materials, or partnerships will we need to run the program?
Do we already have these resources, or will we need to secure them first (through fundraising, partnerships, or recruiting)?
Why inputs matter:
Funders want to know that you have the resources to launch and sustain your program. If some key inputs are not yet secured, that’s okay—but you need to show that you have a realistic plan for obtaining them. This shows funders that you are thinking ahead, managing risks, and setting your program up for success.
How to communicate pending inputs:
If a major input is still pending (like a grant, key hire, or partnership), briefly note this in your grant narrative or budget notes. A simple statement like, “Funding for the Volunteer Coordinator position is being actively pursued through XYZ Foundation,” shows funders you are aware of the gap and actively addressing it.
Tips:
List your inputs as specifically as possible.
For staff, include the FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) percentage dedicated to the program.
Example: Program Manager (0.5 FTE assigned to food pantry operations)
For donated items or services, estimate the value if possible.
For partnerships, briefly name them (e.g., “Local Grocery Chain Partnership for weekly food donations”).
The more detailed your inputs are, the easier it is for funders to see how well-resourced and well-planned your program truly is.
Examples:
Program Manager (0.5 FTE), Volunteer Coordinator (grant-penting, 1.0 FTE), 50 active volunteers, $20,000 in in-kind food donations annually, partnership with Community Health Center for nutrition education
Activities
What specific actions or services will we deliver?
How often will these activities happen, and who will be responsible for them?
Why activities matter:
Activities connect your resources to your outcomes. Funders need to see exactly how your team will move from planning to action.
Tip:
Be as clear and concrete as possible. Avoid broad terms like “outreach” or “support” without explaining what that actually looks like.
Examples:
Weekly food box distribution events, monthly nutrition workshops, quarterly volunteer training sessions
Outputs
What tangible, countable products, services, or events will we create that we can document?
How will we numerically measure what was delivered?
Why outputs matter:
Outputs provide immediate, measurable evidence that your program is operating as planned.
Tip:
Focus on things you can count or document easily, like number of people served, items distributed, workshops held.
Examples:
2,000 meals distributed per month, 12 workshops delivered per year, 300 new participants enrolled
Outcomes
What short-term or medium-term changes will participants experience because of our activities?
How will we track or measure these changes?
Why outcomes matter:
Outcomes show that your program isn’t just active, but making a difference in people’s lives.
Tip:
Outcomes should reflect changes in knowledge, behavior, skills, access, or condition. They should be realistic to achieve within 6-12 months (or however long your program runs).
Examples:
75% of participants report improved access to healthy food, 60% of families report reduced food insecurity, 80% of youth mentees improve school attendance
Impact
Over time, what lasting, big-picture change are we working toward?
How does that change tie back to our mission or vision?
Why impact matters:
Impact shows funders that your program is part of a bigger solution, not just a short-term fix.
Tip:
Impact often takes years to measure, but it’s important to set a north star now. Stay high-level here.
Examples:
Reduced rates of diet-related diseases in the community, higher high school graduation rates, strengthened economic stability for local families.
Final Recommendation:
Don’t aim for “perfect” when first filling out your logic model. It’s meant to be a living document you can update and refine as your program grows.
Logic Model Examples Across Different Nonprofit Types
Sometimes the best way to understand how to build a logic model is to see real-world mock examples.
Here are simple, practical logic model examples from a variety of nonprofit fields:
Food Pantry Program:
Inputs: 50 volunteers, $20,000 in donated food, partnership with local grocery stores, 0.5 FTE Program Coordinator
Activities: Weekly food distribution events, monthly nutrition education workshops
Outputs: 2,000 meals distributed per month, 300 families served monthly, 12 workshops per year
Outcomes: 75% of participants report reduced food insecurity within six months
Impact: A healthier, more food-secure local community
Youth Mentorship Program:
Inputs: 25 trained volunteer mentors, partnership with two local high schools, $10,000 grant for program supplies
Activities: Weekly one-on-one mentorship sessions, monthly leadership development workshops
Outputs: 50 youth matched with mentors annually, 12 leadership workshops conducted
Outcomes: Increased school attendance and improved grades among mentees within one year
Impact: Higher graduation rates and stronger post-secondary opportunities for underserved youth
Maternal Healthcare Initiative:
Inputs: Two licensed midwives, one nurse practitioner, mobile health van, $50,000 grant for prenatal supplies
Activities: Biweekly mobile prenatal clinics, monthly maternal health classes, breastfeeding support groups
Outputs: 100 pregnant women served annually, 24 mobile clinics conducted, 12 educational sessions held
Outcomes: 90% of participants attend at least four prenatal appointments, increased rates of breastfeeding initiation
Impact: Reduced maternal and infant mortality rates, improved long-term maternal health outcomes
Clean Water Project:
Inputs: Engineering team, local community partnerships, funding for well construction, donated water filtration systems
Activities: Drill community wells, distribute household water filters, host safe water education sessions
Outputs: 10 wells drilled per year, 500 water filters distributed, 12 education sessions conducted
Outcomes: 85% of households report consistent access to clean water within six month
Impact: Decreased rates of waterborne illnesses and improved community health
Tip:
When building your own logic model, start by sketching examples like these for your program.
Seeing each piece mapped out makes it easier to fine-tune your budget, evaluation plan, and grant narrative later.
Our free logic model template even includes space to practice filling out examples like these, so you can move from a blank page to a funder-ready model faster.
Download Our Free Logic Model Template
Ready to make your grant applications stronger, and your program planning easier?
Our free nonprofit Logic Model Template gives you a simple, editable format to clearly map out your inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact.
Whether you’re brand new to logic models or looking for a clean structure to improve your existing ones, this template is designed to help you create a strong, funder-friendly document without getting overwhelmed.
A clear logic model not only strengthens your grant proposals but also your entire program. When you can clearly explain how your work creates change, you build trust with funders, partners, and your community.
