16 elements of the annual report. What is important to include now in terms of fundraising?
The beginning of the year is the time to prepare the annual report. Organizations often have a question about what is important to include so that the report meets the needs of partners. And help raise funds and be a fundraiser's toolkit.
A typical annual report of a nonprofit organization
typically consists of the following 8 parts:
  • 1
    Summary: a brief overview of the organization's impact, changes, accomplishments and financial performance over the past year.
  • 2
    Message from the CEO or Board Chair: a personal message from the organization's leader highlighting the organization's accomplishments, what didn't work out, and goals for the future. If you are developing relationships with major donors, include challenges as well.
  • 3
    Description of major programs: a detailed overview of the organization's programs and services, including statistics, testimonials, and photos.
  • 4
    Financials: a clear and concise summary of the organization's financials, including balance sheet, income statement.
  • 5
    Donor Recognition: a list of the organization's donors, including the names of major donors, sponsors and supporters.
  • 6
    Future plans: a description of the organization's plans and goals for the future, including any new initiatives or projects.
  • 7
    Board of Directors: a list of the organization's board members, including their names and a brief biography.
  • 8
    Contact information: information on how to contact the organization, including its website, email address, and phone number.
This is a general structure, and the exact content and format of the annual report will vary depending on the organization and its objectives. Some organizations may include additional sections such as a history of the organization, a detailed financial analysis or a list of employees. The key is to ensure that the annual report is clear, concise and provides a comprehensive overview of the organization's impact and achievements over the past year.
Because donors want to understand how their funds work, it is important to detail program activities. Which are:
Overview: a brief description of the program and its goals and objectives.

Key Activities: A detailed description of the program's key activities, including any major initiatives, projects or events.

Impact: A description of the program's impact, including statistics, testimonials and stories demonstrating the effectiveness and value of the program.

Partnerships and collaborations: a description of any partnerships or collaborations established by the program and how they helped achieve the program's goals.

Funding: information about the program's funding, including funding sources and the amount of funding received.

Future Plans: A description of the program's plans for the future, including any new initiatives or projects that are planned.
It is important to provide a clear and concise overview of the program and its impact, using data, stories and visuals to help demonstrate the value and impact of the program. This information can help build support and engagement with stakeholders and can provide important information for future planning and decision-making.
The financial part of the annual report should provide a clear and concise overview of the organization's financial performance, including the following information:
Financial statements: receipts of funds by main sources and channels - amounts and %, expenditure of funds by programs and items of expenditure - amounts and %.

Audit Report: If the organization has undergone a financial audit, the audit report should be incorporated by reference into the annual report. This report is an independent assessment of the organization's financial performance and helps build confidence in the accuracy of the financial statements.

Donor information: information about the organization's donors, including the names of major donors and donation amounts (if possible).

Grants and Funding: a list of grants received by the organization and the amount for each.

Future financial projections: a discussion of the organization's future financial projections, including any assumptions or factors that may affect the organization's financial performance.
It is important to present financial information in a clear and understandable manner, using graphs, charts and other visual elements that help illustrate key financial trends and performance indicators. The financial section should be transparent and provide a comprehensive overview of the organization's financial performance and future prospects.
What do you usually show in the Future Plans section?

The Future Plans section of the annual report should provide a clear and concise overview of the organization's future plans, including the following information:
  1. Strategic goals: A description of the organization's strategic goals, including any major initiatives or projects that will help achieve those goals.
  2. New programs and services: A description of any new programs or services the organization plans to launch, including their goals, objectives and expected impact.
  3. Expansion: a description of any expansion plans, including any new geographic locations, new markets, or new partnerships.
  4. Technology and Innovation: a discussion of the organization's plans to use technology and innovation to improve its programs and services and increase their impact.
  5. Sustainability: a discussion of the organization's plans for sustainability, including any initiatives to reduce its environmental impact and ensure its long-term financial viability.
  6. Collaboration: a description of any new collaborations or partnerships the organization plans to establish and how these will help achieve its goals.
The Future Plans section should provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the organization's plans for the future and should foster support and engagement with stakeholders, demonstrating the organization's commitment to continuous improvement and growth.
What are 8 other elements that will make your report
interesting to your supporters:
  • 1
    Impact metrics: a detailed representation of the organization's impact, including key indicators, data visualizations, and infographics that help demonstrate the organization's impact.
  • 2
    Interactive elements: interactive elements such as quizzes, polls or games that help engage readers and make the annual report more interactive and engaging.
  • 3
    Stakeholder feedback: a section that includes feedback from stakeholders, such as employees, volunteers or beneficiaries, to gain a better understanding of the organization's impact.
  • 4
    Case studies: in-depth case studies of specific projects or initiatives that demonstrate the organization's impact in more detail.
  • 5
    Gallery: a photo or video gallery that provides a visual representation of the organization's impact and accomplishments.
  • 6
    Infographic timeline: a timeline infographic that provides a visual representation of an organization's history and accomplishments over time.
  • 7
    Impact Map: a map that shows the geographic location of an organization's influence, allowing readers to see the organization's reach and impact in different areas.
  • 8
    Sustainability Report: A separate sustainability report that provides a detailed overview of the organization's sustainability efforts and their impact.
These are just a few examples of non-standard elements that can be included in the structure of an annual report. The key is to think creatively and find new and appealing ways to present the organization's impact and achievements.

An effective annual report can play an important role in fundraising by building trust and engagement with donors and demonstrating the organization's impact and accountability. By providing a clear and comprehensive overview of the organization's programs, services, financial performance, and future plans, an annual report can help build trust in the organization's work and encourage donors to support its mission. In addition, by sharing success stories, testimonials, and impact data, an annual report can help demonstrate the organization's impact and show tangible results of its work, which can be a powerful incentive for donors.

In this way, an annual report can play an important role in building and maintaining relationships with donors, as well as providing the support an organization needs to achieve its mission and goals.