Create Momentum with Your Annual Impact Report

The end of the year is approaching, and with it comes the opportunity to reflect on your organization’s accomplishments. Creating an annual impact report for your church or non-profit is a brilliant way to cast vision, build trust, and provide additional buy-in for your key stakeholders.

An impact report is an important marketing tool to communicate your organization’s story. Each piece of data, testimonial, and photo you share in a non-profit or church annual report tells the story of a difference made as a direct result of your influence. Telling stories successfully in a non-profit or church impact report builds trust, accelerates generosity, harnesses momentum, and bridges the gap between vision and resources.

What should you include in an effective annual impact report?

Content that Connects

1. Begin with an Introduction, executive summary, and a message from leadership. In this section, remind readers of your organization’s identity and mission. Who you are informs what you do and why. 

• Provide a brief introduction that outlines the purpose and significance of the report.
• Reiterate your organization's mission and vision statements to remind readers of your core values and objectives.
• Give a concise summary of the report's highlights, including key accomplishments, financial performance, and overall impact.
• Include a message from the organization's leadership highlighting key achievements and celebrating generosity. In an annual church report, include a message from the lead pastor, or for a non-profit impact report, include a letter from the executive director.

• Present financial information, including income, expenses, and any significant financial changes compared to the previous year. Celebrate percentage growth, not just numerical growth. 
• Celebrate other quantifiable highlights like baptisms, attendance growth, or other notable measurable achievements.

• Provide an overview of the year and include programs, initiatives, camps, events, etc. 
• Share compelling stories (here and in other sections throughout the publication) of individuals positively affected by your organization's work. Use photos to illustrate your impact.
• Highlight any partnerships, collaborations, or alliances formed during the year that contributed to your organization's success.

• Outline your organization's plans and priorities for the upcoming year, including fundraising goals, program expansions, and strategic initiatives.
• Invite readers to partner with you in specific ways in the coming year. Give them action steps they can follow, such as scanning a QR code or visiting a specific website.

• Demonstrate your commitment to transparency by disclosing information about governance, board members, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.

• Discuss any challenges or setbacks your organization faced during the year and what you learned from them.

Designing for Maximum Impact

Consider these design tips when creating your end-of-year impact report: 

Visuals

• Incorporate visuals such as photographs, infographics, and charts to make the report visually engaging and easier to understand.

• Ensure the report is well-designed and easy to read, with a consistent layout and branding that reflects your organization's identity.

Looking for inspiration? Clever has assisted many incredible organizations with their reports, and we have impact report samples available for you to explore. Check out these annual report samples:

• Christ Covenant Church - Atlanta, GA
• Untold - Atlanta, GA
• SERV International - Canton, GA