Is your annual report a vanity piece?
It’s a serious question: what purpose does your annual report serve? And what outcomes are you looking for?
Too many organizations see an annual report as part required reporting and part organizational brochure.
But even if yours is meant to be a sales piece, is it selling? How do you know?
And if you see reporting as a legal requirement, don’t you think you’re missing an opportunity?
What if your annual report could multitask?
And raise money, too?
Do I have your attention now?
Your annual report can:
- Fulfill your reporting requirements
- Show your organization’s great work
- Demonstrate your effectiveness
- Thank and credit your donors
- Raise some money
All at the same time!
Fulfill requirements
Most states don’t require much. The federal government calls it your 990. All you really have to present is some basic information.
Easy enough – but often, presented in a way that causes eyes to glaze over.
Your donors will be interested in your financial information, too – if you present it in an interesting way.
Answer a couple of questions with your financials:
- Did we do what we said we’d do?
- Can I trust you?
Think simple – and offer explanations. Very few people are going to want to wade through your balance sheet and budget in detail. Offer the big picture. You can make detailed information available separately.
Sometimes, a simple chart or infographic may tell the story better.
Show your organization’s great work
Careful here. Yes, it’s your work… but it’s impossible without the donors and funders who support you.
So hand off the credit. You don’t need credit, you need support.
This is where stories shine, because “show” is always more effective than “tell”.
Focus on the people you help, or the work accomplished.
Then always credit your donors.
No holding back. Be emotional – this can’t be a press release or a list of facts.
This is the part of an annual report where a skilled writer can be especially helpful.
Use great images to tell the story, too.
Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words – if it’s the right picture.
Don’t go for glamour shots of your organization. Be careful about staff celebrations (though donors do like to see the staff).
Choose images with impact. That usually means one person, eyes on the camera.
Then be sure the images are captioned! You know what’s going on – your reader may not.
Demonstrate your effectiveness
Give yourself a report card. What worked? And what didn’t? What did we learn this year?
This shouldn’t be a lengthy treatise. But an honest reflection builds trust. And it lays the groundwork for your future requests.
Charts, graphs, and some copy can usually be helpful here – and can make complex ideas easier to understand.
Your mission accomplishments are interesting. But your fundraising success is not. (Sorry!)
Focus on what was done, not how you did it.
And speaking of lengthy treatises… you don’t really need to include a letter from your executive director or board chair. No really, you don’t have to do it.
But if you must, keep it short. And keep it focused on gratitude, not back-patting.
Always credit your donors and funders. They have been your partners.
And you want to keep it that way, right?
Thank your donors
Credit is one thing – and important. But don’t forget to say thank you as well.
Should you list your donors?
The best answer is “it depends”.
- Have you said you would – is it a donor benefit?
- Can you be sure your information is correct?
- Are you sure your donors approve of their names being listed?
If you list, be sure the listing is correct. No forgotten names, no misspelled names.
One way to be sure you have it right: include the annual report listing in thank you letters.
“We would like to list your name with other supporters in our annual report. Our records indicate your preferred listing is Mr. John Smith and Ms. Andrea Murphy. If this isn’t correct, or you prefer not to be listed, please contact Mary to let her know.”
Whether you list donors or not, the entire publication should read as a thank you to your donors. (Want a great example? Check out the “Gratitude Reports” Agents of Good does.)
Though you are probably proud of your staff, step back a little to shine a light on the people who make all of your work possible.
Raise some money
If you go to the trouble and expense to create an annual report, why not make it clear that you need support?
You should weave that message throughout the report.
Celebrate what you (including your donors) have accomplished, but be clear that the job isn’t done yet. Let them know they’re still needed – as well as appreciated.
For a print report, include a cover letter with a request, a response form, and an envelope.
There is real value in a print report. (People will share them, for instance.) But if you intend to publish only online, be sure you let people know it’s been published and include a link to a special donation landing page.
If you make your readers feel great about what their gifts have done, you will likely see more gifts in response.
Focusing on donors will help, not hurt, your annual report
Prospective supporters, the media, any other audiences you have for this report will not be put off by a grateful organization.
You can still make sure your organization shines. Bask in the reflection of your wonderful supporters.
You don’t do your work alone. If you want to keep the partners you have – and invite new ones to join you – you have to make their important role clear.
Why waste time, money, and effort on a brochure when you could create a meaningful donor relations engine instead?
Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash
What do you think about recognition for the donors (instead of their money) in the success of the year? Wouldn’t it bring a sense of belonging for the donors. An organization’s leaders, executives, staff including the donors share in the year’s success. Each person’s role is different but the reason to be involved is to serve the mision and to improve the quality of life in the community.
Donors are not really separate from the organization, they are part of the team.
It seems that honoring the donor for joining the team, instead of recognizing their money, would give the feeling of belonging and real connection. This would support their decision to renew. What thoughts come up for you when you read this comment?
Absolutely! Yes, relationships, involvement, all of that! Donors are part of the team – an important and too often overlooked part.
Great reminder, Penny – thank you!
How common is it that fundraisers prioritize(make a plan to connect with each donor) renewal of 90-96% of their annual individual donors? I would be interested in your perspective on this approach.
Not nearly enough are actually acting on monitoring donor retention and trying to increase it, though everyone now seems to talk about it.
I’m not sure every donor could be individually contacted (by phone, say) at every organization, but the more you can do, the better. And I do believe that great communications can bridge that.
I think we’ve still got some way to go before actually prioritizing retention is widespread. But it will have to catch on because otherwise, organizations are losing more donors than they can attract.
How do you see personal connection with each donor happening? I’d love to hear more.