Summary

In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly may have gone on a bit of a tangent about the overhead myth. But more generally, Kelly talks about how to integrate data with the narratives you're telling in your annual report. She highlights how donors are interested in understanding how their contributions impact not only our mission-driven outcomes, but also the growth of the organization as an institution.

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Takeaways

• Donors want to hear about organizational growth and change, and your Annual Report is a great place for telling those stories and providing that data.
• Financial transparency is crucial in annual reports.
• Overhead costs should be openly discussed with donors.
• Data should support the narrative being told in the report as integrating metrics with stories enhances donor understanding of impact outcomes.
• Capacity building stories are important for donor confidence.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising

00:48 This Week's Focus: Data for Annual Reports

02:33 Quick Note on the "Overhead Myth"

03:51 How to Pick the Right Data for Your Annual Report

07:45 Resources to Support Your Growth

09:11 This Week's Assignment: Pick Relevant Data

Keywords

annual reports, financial transparency, donor communication, nonprofit storytelling, impact metrics, organizational growth, capacity building, donor engagement, overhead costs, mission outcomes

Summary

In this episode, Kelly discusses the need to craft compelling narratives that resonate emotionally and intellectually with the audience. The conversation also touches on the various formats of annual reports and how they influence the storytelling approach, encouraging organizations to reflect on their most significant developments and how to present them effectively.

Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive

Request a Discovery Call with Kelly: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule

Takeaways

• The framework of annual reports is changing due to better donor communication.
• Storytelling is crucial in annual reports to engage donors.
• Crafting narratives involves making donors feel and think.
• Different formats require different storytelling approaches.
• Client stories are common, but institutional storytelling is also important.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising

00:48 This Week's Focus: Annual Reports & Storytelling

01:34 How to Pick Stories for Your Annual Report

04:42 Resources to Support You

06:04 This Week's Assignment: Decide How to Tell a Story

Keywords

annual reports, storytelling, nonprofit communication, donor engagement, data presentation, narrative crafting, client stories, organizational growth, impact stories, communication strategies

Summary

In this episode of Fridays 4 Fundraising, Kelly discusses how annual reports are evolving, emphasizing the need for innovative formats that engage donors effectively. She highlights the shift away from traditional, lengthy reports towards more dynamic and accessible options, such as short PDFs, videos, and community engagement events. The focus is on understanding donor preferences and creating meaningful connections through impactful communication.

Join Sustain & Thrive: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/sustain-thrive

Request a Discovery Call with Kelly: https://www.fromscratchfundraising.com/schedule

Takeaways

• Annual reports are evolving; there's no one-size-fits-all format.
• Donors are less interested in traditional printed reports.
• Engagement with donors should be frequent and dynamic.
• Consider your audience's preferences when creating reports. Shorter, more visual formats can be more effective.
• Community-building events can replace traditional reports.
• Focus on the impact of donations to retain donor interest.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Fridays 4 Fundraising

00:48 This Week's Focus: Formats for Your Annual Report

01:07 How To Pick the Right Format for Your Annual Report

06:09 This Week's Assignment: Pick an Annual Report Format

06:30 Resources to Get You Growing

Keywords

annual reports, donor engagement, nonprofit fundraising, impact reporting, communication strategies