The two are different. An annual report is a look back at the prior year and accomplishments; an impact report focuses forward by describing how donors are making a difference in the future. Both are stewardship pieces, but only one has the potential to move a donor to give again.
Here are ideas to consider when converting your annual report to an impact report:
- Infuse the report with vibrant stories about gift impact.
- Include one or more personal stories from the perspective of a gift recipient, perhaps in their own words.
- Have a donor or two explain why they made their gift. Why is your work important to them?
- Use infographics to express measurable impact.
- Include a page of financial reporting, as you would in an annual report.
- Move your donor listings from the annual report to your website to save pages, money, postage, and the headache of errors that cannot be fixed.
An impact report can not only take the place of an annual report, it can serve double-duty as a solicitation piece or donor meeting leave-behind.
