{"id":10649,"date":"2018-07-23T20:06:21","date_gmt":"2018-07-24T00:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/?p=10649"},"modified":"2024-12-20T08:47:36","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T13:47:36","slug":"nonprofit-annual-reports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/nonprofit-annual-reports\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Nonprofit Annual Report Essentials"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nonprofit annual reports are a vital part of your organization\u2019s end-of-year checklist, but not every nonprofit knows how to make the most of this important document. Your annual report displays what the past year has brought for your nonprofit and what you have accomplished.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why you should publish your nonprofit annual report<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your annual report should do more than just remind your constituency of the coolest fundraisers your nonprofit pulled off this year<\/a>\u2014it\u2019s a way to prove your accountability and trustworthiness<\/strong> to people who might be considering becoming a donor to your organization. Your nonprofit annual report shows your donors what they\u2019ve helped you achieve over the year and the impact your organization has on the community. It restates why your cause is worthy of donations from your supporters and encourages them to continue their support. You should also include your goals for the future, so your donors know what to expect in the coming year. <\/p>\n\n\n

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While each nonprofit\u2019s report will be different, you can put your best foot forward by using this guide as a nonprofit annual report template: take these suggestions and make them your own! Here\u2019s an outline of the 10 most essential nonprofit annual report best practices: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Use the first page of your annual report to snag your readers.<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Your nonprofit annual report should highlight your accomplishments, not your activities.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Format your annual report with your branding guidelines.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Introduce key staff members of your organization.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Keep the financial section of your nonprofit annual report short but sweet.<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Tell supporters how you\u2019re going to incorporate their feedback moving forward.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Thank your supporters in your annual report.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Spice up your annual report with personal stories and high-quality visuals.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Turn your annual report into a call to action for the upcoming year.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Consider what communication strategies work best for your constituency.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    1. Use the first page of your annual report to snag your readers.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The first page of your report is your best chance to snag your readers\u2019 attention. If your opening is emotionally dry or boring, the reader will likely skim over everything else and then toss the report back onto the kitchen counter. Instead, use the first page of the report to grab their interest.<\/strong> Here are a few attention getters for your first page: <\/p>\n\n\n\n