Free checklists
Free communications checklists for nonprofit teams
Last updated: November 2026
Is there a free communications checklist for nonprofit executive directors?
Yes. This page offers three free nonprofit communications checklists from Beltway Media: one for executive directors, one for development teams, and one for crisis preparedness. Each is a plain, printable page of practical yes or no checks that you can work through on your own, with no sign-up and nothing stored.
Choose a checklist
Three checklists, one for each part of your team
- 20 checks
Executive director communications checklist
For executive directors, CEOs, and board chairs.
Covers: Narrative and positioning, leadership and governance, audiences and channels, and readiness.
Open the checklist - 18 checks
Development team communications checklist
For development directors, major gifts officers, and grant writers.
Covers: Story and proof, donor communications, funder communications, and coordination.
Open the checklist - 15 checks
Crisis preparedness checklist
For leadership teams, communications leads, and board chairs.
Covers: Team and roles, scenarios and statements, audience order, media and monitoring, and review.
Open the checklist
How to use them
How to get the most from a checklist
Step 1: Answer honestly
Tick only what is true today, not what is planned. An unticked box is useful information.
Step 2: Compare answers
Ask two or three colleagues to complete the same list. Where answers differ, you have found a gap.
Step 3: Pick three fixes
Choose the three unticked items that would matter most in the next 90 days and assign an owner to each.
More from Beltway Media
Other free tools on the Beltway Media main website
Beltway Media publishes additional free resources on its main website, including a Cybersecurity Communications Checklist, a Startup Communications Checklist, and a quick guide called Messaging: Make Every Word Count.
When you are ready to act on what a checklist shows, read about communications consulting for nonprofits or return to the main guide to nonprofit communications consulting.
FAQ
Common questions
Short answers to the questions nonprofit leaders ask most. See all 47 answers on the nonprofit communications FAQ.
- What free checklists does this site offer?
- This site offers three free checklists: one for nonprofit executive directors, one for development teams, and one for crisis preparedness. Each is a printable page of practical checks you can run on your own. Beltway Media also publishes a Startup Communications Checklist and a Cybersecurity Communications Checklist on its main website.
- Do I need to sign up to use the checklists?
- No. The checklists on this site are free to read, use, and print without an account or email address. You can tick boxes in your browser while you work, and nothing is stored or sent anywhere. If you want help acting on what you find, you can book a free strategy session with Beltway Media.
- What should we prepare before a discovery call?
- Bring your current priorities, recent communications materials, and a clear picture of who you need to reach. Useful items include your strategic plan, your latest annual report, recent appeals or newsletters, any media coverage, and upcoming moments such as a campaign launch or leadership change. The free executive director checklist on this site is a good warm-up.
- Is email still worth it for nonprofit communications?
- Yes. NPTechforGood's 2026 statistics report that 83% of nonprofits use email marketing, 67% use segmented email lists, and 63% use personalization in their email marketing. Email is a direct channel you own, which matters as social and search platforms change. The development team checklist on this site includes the email basics worth confirming.
- What is the best next step if we want help?
- Book a free strategy session with Beltway Media at beltway.media/free-consultation. Before the call, run the executive director checklist on this site so you arrive with a clear picture of your gaps. The discovery call covers your challenges, goals, and current capabilities, and there is no obligation to continue.
Talk to a senior communications leader about your nonprofit.
The first step with Beltway Media is a free discovery call about your communications challenges, goals, and current capabilities. There is no obligation to continue.