Posted
Dec 08, 2016 09:03 AM
As the calendar year turns toward 2017, it’s now time for nonprofits to start thinking about creating their annual reports.
However, the words “annual report” may fill development directors with dread. The perception is that annual reports are often costly, time-consuming, and come with little to no return on investment. However, that doesn’t have to be the case!
An effective and sharp-looking annual report can come in all shapes and sizes. Here are some resources that will give you an idea of how you can create a dynamic annual report that meets your fundraising/organizational objectives while not forcing you to break the bank.
- The National Council of Nonprofits lays out what options you have for formatting your annual report, including going paperless by showcasing your organization’s work in a simple PDF, a webpage, a podcast, a video, or even a conference call!
- Kivi Leroux Miller operates a nonprofit annual report wiki that gives you great ideas on creating cost-effective and successful annual reports. You can also see her own best resources page.
- Concerned your hard work will go unnoticed? Classy.org shares tips on creating annual reports that your supporters will actually read.
- What’s key to a dynamic annual report? Photos! Branded4Good.com provides 14 examples of excellent photo usage in nonprofit annual reports.
- Just so you don’t waste your reader’s time, here are a few things you shouldn’t include in your annual report (hint, hint: it’s okay to include numbers, but not too many numbers!).