5 Best Nonprofit Annual Report Examples {2023}

Nonprofit organizations rely on annual reports to connect with stakeholders and funders, as well as attract new donations. A well-crafted annual report can make a lasting impression by highlighting the impact of the organization’s work and demonstrating transparency in its operations. In this blog post, we’ll cover the best nonprofit annual report examples and:

• What is an annual report?
• Paper digital report vs. digital annual report
• Benefits of an annual report
• Elements of an effective annual report
• Top 5 best nonprofit annual report examples of 2023

What is an Annual Report?

A nonprofit annual report is a yearly overview of a nonprofit’s accomplishments, impact, and progress. Unlike a Form 990, which is a required document, an annual report is an opportunity for nonprofits to connect and inspire their stakeholders. Plus, it’s a great time to give thanks and show a bit of donor gratitude.

Though annual reports usually include financial information and other important statistics, they’re more of a marketing tool. Annual reports communicate this information to connect with donors, volunteers, and partners. It keeps them updated and inspired about your mission.

Paper Annual Report vs. Digital Annual Report

Nonprofit organizations should evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of paper versus digital annual reports when considering future reporting strategies. Both formats have their advantages, but it is important to consider the specific needs of an organization when making a decision.

Paper digital reports are created using special software that allows users to create documents in PDF format. These documents can be sent in the mail or handed out at events.

Digital annual reports on the other hand can be posted on social media, sent out via e-newsletter, and even embedded onto a website. because more people are online than ever before, and more donations are being made online, going digital is the best choice for your 2021 or 2022 annual report.

Benefits of a Digital Annual Report

Because annual reports, unlike Form 990s, aren’t always required of organizations, many nonprofits don’t always see the benefits in creating them. However, an effective annual report has the power to:

Attract new stakeholders

An annual report—full of compelling information about your organization—has the ability to bring in new supporters. Whether a new volunteer or a new partner, a great annual report can spread awareness, educate, and inspire action.

Retain stakeholders

Retention is all about engaging stakeholders. With compelling visuals, donor gratitude, and actionable CTAs, an annual report is a great opportunity to connect with your audience,

Turn readers into donors

Above all, nonprofits that create great annual reports can turn the average reader into a lifelong donor. Because annual reports help create trust and transparency and are donor-centric, they make readers inspired to give.

In summary, annual reports are a great way for nonprofits to authentically connect with their stakeholders. Not only do they help tell the story of the organization, but they also have the power to attract new supporters and turn readers into donors.

Now, let’s take a look at what elements make up an effective nonprofit annual report.

Elements of an Effective Annual Report

Above all, an effective annual reports tell a story about an organization.  Every nonprofit has a unique story to tell, and by using the right words and visuals, you can share your organization’s mission and accomplishments in a meaningful way. 

.

Theme

The theme of an annual report is a key element that conveys the organization’s mission and purpose. Many nonprofits convey their theme through the annual report design. By using bold colors or bold designs on their annual report cover, and throughout each page, nonprofits can excite readers and help tell a story. In essence, a theme helps take a boring report into an exciting one. 

Brand colors and fonts

The use of brand colors and fonts in an annual report can be a powerful way to create a cohesive and professional look. The right combination of colors and fonts can help to convey the organization’s values, mission, and overall brand identity. When selecting a color palette for your nonprofit’s annual report, consider one that is vibrant and reflects your organization’s message.

Data visualization

Data visualization is an important tool for creating effective and engaging nonprofit annual reports. By presenting complex data in a visually appealing way, nonprofits can make their annual report more accessible to readers and drive home the mission of the organization.

In recent years, many nonprofits have begun using creative data visualizations as part of their annual reports, including: 

• Pie charts
• Infographics
• Bar graphs 
• Line graphs
• Interactive maps and timelines

Photos and videos

When it comes to nonprofit annual reports, photos, and videos are key elements for success. Photos and videos can help a nonprofit organization engaging in emotional  storytelling—key for retaining and engaging donors.  

Interactive content

As more and more nonprofits strive to engage with their stakeholders, interactive reports have become essential. Interactive content allows nonprofits to present complex information in a way that is both visually appealing and engaging for readers. Plus, interactive content makes readers feel in control, which is crucial for donor retention. 

 Social media posts

Social media has become an invaluable tool for nonprofits to engage with their supporters, spread awareness of their cause, and promote their annual reports. With Millennials and Gen-Z an emerging donor base, it’s essential that organizations include Facebook, Twitter, and even Instagram posts into their report, where relevant. 

Testimonials and social proof 

Testimonials and social proof can be powerful tools in these reports, helping to engage readers, build trust, and motivate others to get involved. This might include:

• Quotes from beneficiaries
• Testimonials from volunteers
• Statements from donors or partners

 Inspiring CTAs

Inspiring calls-to-action (CTAs) help nonprofit organizations drive donations, awareness, and engagement some great CTAs include:

• Volunteer sign-ups
• Donation buttons
• Social media follow buttons
• Links to additional resources

Now that we’ve covered elements of  an effective annual report, let’s dive into the top 5 annual report examples of 2023!

Top 5 Nonprofit Annual Report Examples of 2023

Hutt St. Centre

Why this annual report is great:

• Clear mission and core values

One of the best parts of this nonprofit annual report is the clarity of the organization’s mission and core values. For both new supporters and old, the restatement of their dedication to progress is a great reminder for readers. This reinforces brand identity and helps establish the organization from the competition.

• Volunteer testimonials

Testimonials are a great way to show impact and inspire. The testimonials included from volunteers not only show gratitude toward consistent volunteers but inspire new ones to partake. Plus, showcasing volunteers in a nonprofit annual report showcases the community support the organization has.

• Topical trends 

Most annual reports from any given organization are similar from year to year. However, it’s important that nonprofits take into account topical news and trends that may have impacted their progress or their stakeholders. Hutt St. Centre discusses the Covid-19 pandemic in its annual report which helps build trust with supporters.

• Compelling infographics

As we’ve discussed, data visualization is essential to educating and inspiring stakeholders. The infographics included in this report make dense information easy to understand so readers aren’t confused or bored.

• Clear I\impact

Above all, this report does a great job of showcasing impact. With interactive content, charts, and more, readers understand exactly what kinds of progress they’re making, and the core values they operate by.

The Point Church

Why this annual report is great:

• Use of brand colors and fonts

The Point Church’s report reiterates its unique brand through bright colors and fonts, consistent with its brand identity. 

• Clickable links

Interactive annual reports are a great place to include clickable links to additional resources. The Point Church’s inclusion of these links makes their report engaging and informative.

• Contact information

By including staff and contact information, The Point Church builds trust through transparency. Giving this information reassures readers that there are real people behind the organization—and gives a face to their mission.

Schechter School

Why this annual report is great:

• Data visualization

The Schechter School does a great job of communicating data through bar charts, graphs, infographics, and more,

• Photos

This report is packed with photos of students and beneficiaries, which allows readers to understand the full picture of their organization.

• Videos

Including videos is a great way to create an emotional connection between readers and the organization. Schecter School’s inclusion of videos both entertains readers and creates this bond.

• Key program highlights

Instead of talking about their year broadly, this organization breaks down the progress of each of its main programs and initiatives. This level of detail helps paint a clear picture of their year.

• Gratitude  

Sponsors are often a huge part of any successful nonprofit. By listing sponsors, and showing thanks, Schecter School makes these sponsors feel seen and appreciated.

Why this annual report is great:

Generation SERVE

• Great design

Annual report design is essential.  Generation serves’ use of bold colors, including their well-design annual report cover, makes this report visually eye-catching and exciting. Instead of reading a boring report, without vibrant colors, Generation Serve engages its readers to the very end with great design.

• Donor-centric language

Nonprofits often make the mistake of designing their annual reports without their donors in mind. Generation SERVE however, is sure to make its annual report layout, design, and language, is donor-facing. 

• Future plans

One of the most important things to include in a report is the organization’s plans for the future. This charity includes all of its projections for the year to come, which helps keep its audience in the know.

• Calls to action

Interactive reports are a perfect place to include engaging CTAs. Like any great marketing material, an effective report includes buttons for volunteer sign-ups, social media follows, and more.

Young Voices

Why this annual report is great:

• Vivid design

Young voices use of blocks of color, negative space, and white space allow this report to be scannable and reader-friendly. The bright accent colors, too, help carry readers all the way through the very end of the report. 

• Graphs and charts

Bar graphs, pie charts, and more make this annual report a standout in the space. Like some of the other top examples, this report expertly takes dense information and makes it reader-friendly.

• Stories of Impact

Impact stories aren’t just for impact reports. Most great reports include lots of stories of impact from beneficiaries and even volunteers, just like Young Voices’

Best Annual Report Examples: Wrapping up

 The five examples outlined in this article are some of the best annual reports available in 2023. Each report is tailored to its respective organization, and each is designed to engage readers on a deeper level. From vivid designs to graphs, photos, and stories of impact, these nonprofits have created reports that serve as great inspirations for any organization looking to create an engaging annual report.

Ready to get started on your digital annual report? Start with Yearly’s 14-day free trial!

Yearly free trial

Josh Kligman is the CEO of Yearly, a platform for nonprofits to create their own digital reports. Josh has been working with nonprofits on annual reports, brand and partnerships since 2011. He is helping nonprofits create more engaging, digital annual and impact reports with Yearly. Throughout his career, Josh has helped launch and run nonprofit brand campaigns and media partnerships nationally and locally, using television, radio and web, to amplify the reach of campaigns and provide demonstrated value for non-profit stakeholders. Josh received his B.A. from American University in Communications and his M.B.A. from American University in Marketing Management and Entrepreneurship.