Writing a Nonprofit Annual Report - Seven Quick Tips

If you've been asked to write an annual report for a nonprofit organization, here are seven tips to get you on your way.

1. Focus on accomplishments, not activities. We want to know what you did, but more importantly, we want to know why you did it. What were the results? Why did you spend your time the way you did? What difference did it make?

2. Jettison the administrative minutiae. Getting a high-speed connection in the office and new accounting software may be big accomplishments from where you sit at your desk, but they have nothing to do with your mission. Inspire donors with accomplishments related to your mission in your annual report and leave all the administrative items for your board report.

3. Include photos. Yes, photos really are worth a thousand words. Many of the people reading your annual report won