1. Nonprofit Annual Report
How to Write a
Nonprofit Annual Report

2. The Voice on the Phone
Kivi Leroux Miller President of EcoScribe Communications
You’ll find resources on annual reports at
Nonprofit Annual Reports.net
Nonprofit Marketing Guide.com
Nonprofit Communications Blog at Writing911.com/blog

3. The Big Questions about Annual Reports
Do we really need an annual report?
How can an annual report help us?
What goes in and what stays out?
How do I put it all together?

4. Do we REALLY need an annual report?

5. The Watch Dogs Say Yes
Independent Sector new principles, lots of state association guidelines, better business bureau wise giving alliance

6. Donors Also Say Yes

7. Donors want results before they’ll give again.

8. Understanding those results should be easy for your supporters.

9. What should an annual report do?
Turn your beautiful but messy daily activities . . .

10. . . . into a story where your accomplishments and impact are clear.

11. What Does an Annual Report Do for Us?
Share accomplishments, not just activities
Reassure donors, prepare them to do more
Increase credibility with decisionmakers
Demonstrate professionalism to funders
Help the media understand what you do
Recognize special people
Serve as a historical record of progress

12. What’s In & What’s Out? # of people attending our workshops
Our new computer network
Our new website
Staff wedding news
Profiles of community award winners
Our response to bad legislation introduced at the Capital
# of mailed copies of our newsletter
How we got back in the black
New program details in recently submitted grant application

13. Information You Do Need
Accomplishments, with descriptions of the activities that brought them about
Powerful profiles, testimonials, stories about your work
Ample thanks to supporters
Calls to action

14. Information You Don’t Need
Administrative inner workings
Personal staff and board news
Failed fundraising efforts
News that excites only you and your staff
Work that went nowhere
Future activities

15. The Basic Process

16. Step 1: Accomplishments
Translate your everyday activities into meaningful results for your community

17. Step 2: People
Conduct interviews to get details for profiles and testimonials
Collect good photographs

18. Step 3: Financials
Decide what level of detail to share and how to share it

19. Step 4: Lists Donors Board Staff Members Key Volunteers
How Supporters Can Help You

20. Questions?

21. NonprofitAnnualReports.net E-Book and E-Courses Available Immediately