Creating annual reports that tell success stories about the organization helps build support. Most organizations have successes that even some employees haven’t heard.
It’s important to tell the wider community about your accomplishments. Most community leaders, potential supporters, and funders will not be aware of the good work you’re doing unless you tell them. Organizations that we serve send their annual reports to a wide range of community leaders, agencies, and organizations. Here are some that you might want to include on your distribution list:
Mayors and city council members
County commissioners
State and federal lawmakers
City and county staff
Executive directors and boards of nonprofit organizations
Directors of public agencies
Leaders of religious congregations
Foundations, individual donors, and potential donors
Business leaders
Chambers of commerce
Local media
You might also want to ask staff members if there are particular agencies with which they collaborate that should receive the report.
Annual reports are often distributed at public meetings and community events, and it’s good to have extras on hand throughout the year so you can enclose them with grant applications.
It’s useful for employees to receive the annual report so that everyone knows about the good work the organization is doing. People work not only for the pay they receive, but also for the satisfaction of making a positive difference in the world. Knowing those success stories contributes to that satisfaction.
Showing the faces and telling the stories of people who are helped by your programs can increase community support for those programs, and it’s good for employee morale, too.
©Linda Moro
MoroBurt Creative
MoroBurt.com
How nonprofits can use annual reports
to develop support
