How to Design Nonprofit Annual Reports
A nonprofit annual report describes the activities of an organization and presents objectives for the year ahead. The design should present program descriptions and photos as clearly as possible and should inspire both donors and volunteers to continue their investment in the organization.
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Things You'll Need
- Copy writer
- Graphic designer
- Computer (preferably with design software)
Instructions
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Catch the vision of the organization. Before developing anything, sit down with the executive director and board of the nonprofit to understand the overall goal and mission of the organization. This macro vision will be an essential guide for developing the annual report.
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Once you have a macro vision from the leadership, spend some considerable time brainstorming the major events in the life of your organization. Write down major programs, events, activities and publicity that occurred in the past year. Once you have a main list, develop an outline and create themes that can serve as main headers.
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With an outline of the activities and programs, develop a content plan. Identify key employees/department heads to contact to find program description and metrics to demonstrate success to donors and volunteers. Provide guidelines on the type of information you are seeking and also ask for photos. Explore the possibility of speaking directly with volunteers/clients for testimonials that will add an enriching personal touch.
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Once you have a library of information on the programs and activities of the organization, filter through it to find key objectives and information based on the overall organizational mission. Enlist a copy writer to help with the writing of the descriptions so it is professional and clearly presented.
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With the text finalized, present the content (text and photos) to a graphic designer to develop it into an actual report. Provide guidance on the style and branding of the organization. It's important to communicate upfront if your audience is conservative, urban, international or any other category. Also discuss costs involved with printing and mailing.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep the executive director of your organization appraised of the progress of the report. It is easier to make changes to the style or content early in the process as opposed to later on. Remember that the annual report is a key piece of publicity for the organization, so consider the preferences and perspectives of the key leadership when producing it.
An annual report is not a donation request. Be careful to avoid using the report to simply ask for money. Rather, encourage participation in your organization by key stakeholders and inspire them by your vision and mission.
