Logic Models and Theory of Change

Making Thinking Visible

The idea of developing and using logic models or theory of change tools can feel intimidating. But these are straightforward, practical tools can bring clarity and power to your work. ElevateNPT specializes in training nonprofit leadership to use them with confidence.

Theory of Change
Developing a theory of change takes this work a step deeper. It is the process of making collective assumptions about how change will actually happen—making the thinking visible. Unlike logic models, which are linear, a theory of change shows the causal mechanisms that explain why each component is expected to lead to the desired results. It recognizes that outcomes can feed back into causes—for example, improved outcomes can create positive reinforcement that sustains behavior or program success. The result is not just a diagram, but a shared, documented understanding of strategic intent.

How ElevateNPT
We don’t just hand clients a template—we teach your team how to use these tools as living, breathing guides for decision-making. In our training, participants learn to:

Build a logic model that clarifies goals, resources, activities, and measurable outcomes.
Develop a theory of change that exposes assumptions, aligns strategy, and explains why your work creates impact.
Apply these tools directly to strategic planning, budgeting, evaluation, and fund development.

With decades of experience, ElevateNPT has seen firsthand how organizations that embrace logic models and theory of change strengthen results across every area of operations. Once you know how to use them, these tools stop being intimidating and start becoming indispensable—helping your organization stay aligned, accountable, and impactful.

Logic Models

A logic model presents a clear picture of how your effort or initiative is supposed to work. It shows the logical sequence of how inputs and activities lead to outputs and intended outcomes—essentially: if we provide X, the result will be Y. Logic models are often visual, giving everyone a common language and point of reference. They keep teams aligned, demonstrate why a strategy is a good solution to the problem at hand, and serve as a foundation for building strategy, budgets, and fund development plans.