Your Nonprofit Annual Report | The Basics & More!
Your nonprofit annual report: is it really necessary?
No, they’re not required by law, but annual reports give your organization a legitimacy that an IRS Form 990 can’t quite touch. They let the world know you’re serious. In fact, during my days with a grantmaking foundation, an organization’s annual report was a required document of prospective grantseekers. And, while we would accept a 990, those organizations without an annual report were rarely funded.
Simply put, your annual report fills a void that a 990 can’t. If done well, they show your supporters and community leaders the impact you’ve had. They can play a critical role in seeking corporate and foundation funding, as well as your overall communications strategy.
But how can you develop your agency’s annual report when your time and resources are limited?
In Your Nonprofit Annual Report | The Basics & More you’ll learn how to create an annual report on time and on budget — one that always keeps your donor front and center. And you’ll go beyond, delving into cost-effective ways to publish and mail your annual report, storytelling, and e-production and the role of video.
“Breaking down the process into segments takes away the ‘overwhelm factor’ of a workshop or a webinar and guides you incrementally into achieving what you thought was impossible! You provided valuable insight into all angles of how to write a meaningful piece to insight reaction from donors. Great work!”
Class Participant, Direct Mail Fundraising | The Basics & More!
The Class Modules: Your Nonprofit Annual Report | The Basics & More!
Here are the weekly course modules you’ll be receiving in this four-week eCourse:
Week One: Module One: Moving Beyond the IRS Form 990: Why Your Nonprofit Needs an Annual Report
- Why your nonprofit needs an annual report
- What documentation you need to have in hand– before you start
- Roles and who will play them: From your ED to your staff to your volunteers, know who will be responsible for creating content, writing, compiling information and more
- How to get what you need when you need it
Week Two: Module Two: Your Annual WOW Report: Keeping Your Donor Front and Center
- It’s not about us: Keeping the donor at the center
- Themes that work (and how you can easily come up with yours)
- Why stories work better than statistics
- Key interview questions
- Knowing what to keep…and what to cut
- Making financials work for you
- The deadly Letter from the ED or board chair –and what to do about it
Week Three: Module Three: Traditional vs Non-traditional: The Design Process
- The “Gratitude Report:” is it right for your organization?
- The Annual Report Postcard
- Photography and design
- Outsourcing design vs in-source
Week Four: Module Four: Print or online?
- E-production options and the role of video
- Getting high-quality printing for a reasonable price
- The last check that can save your job [and save a world of embarrassment]
- How to capitalize on your annual report investment
“I loved being able to control my time better, so that I could keep up with the materials as they came.”
What is an eCourse?
The Basics & More eCourses are affordable fundraising trainings delivered over the course of three to six weeks. Rather than being overwhelmed with too much material delivered in a conference setting, workshop or webinar, the Basics & More courses have been created to guide you, step-by-step toward achieving your goals, while working at your own pace. These are multi-media trainings, delivered via email and often including recorded webinars from the top trainers in the business, as well as podcasts, worksheets, guides, a discussion group and bonuses. In instances where it makes a difference, you’re encouraged to enroll your entire team — volunteers, staff, board — to maximize your results.
Note: Yearly Basics & More Ticket buyers and Simple Development Systems members are automatically included in every Basics & More course.
We have really loved being a part of your program and learned a ton!! Please know you are a big part of our development team here at the Intervale Center, and we not just achieved but exceeded our community fundraising goals by $24,000 in 2013 thanks for great advice and support from Simple Development Systems!!
Mandy Fischer, Development Manager, Intervale Center
Your Trainers
Your Nonprofit Annual Report | The Basics & More is being presented by Pamela Grow and Jan Gallagher, PhD.
Pamela Grow has raised millions throughout her career as a nonprofit consultant and publisher of The Grow Report, the leading free weekly resource for small shop fundraisers. She is the author of the first online grant writing guide, Five Days to Foundation Grants, and Simple Development Systems: Successful Fundraising for the One-Person Shop, known as the “bible for donor-centered fundraising.” She’s committed to providing small nonprofits with the tools they need for sustainable funding through her year-long membership program, Simple Development Systems featuring training from leaders in the industry. Pam was named one of the Top 40 Most Effective Fundraising Consultants in the United States by the Michael Chatman Giving Show, her blog was ranked 47th of the Top 150 Nonprofit Blogs, and she was named one of the 50 Most Influential Fundraisers in the world by Civil Society Magazine.
Jan Gallagher, PhD wears many hats in her role as communications consultant/web content manager/writer/editor for nonprofit organizations. Her clients say: “Jan is amazing. Her practical style combined with her creativity make it a joy to work with her on everything from creating something new and different to editing something routine.”
“I found the substance as well as the form of presentation very compelling. I intend to recommend it to some of my clients who desperately need annual fund enhancement. Also, I will use it with my graduate students at Brandeis University where I teach fundraising management—and have for the past 22 years.”
David A. Mersky, Mersky, Jaffe & Associates (Monthly Giving | The Basics & More!)
Direct Access to the Trainers
During this four-week course, each participant will have direct access to both Pamela and Jan both via email and the Private Facebook Group created for this course. Send in your questions about what you are learning and how it applies to your own non-profit and we’ll respond with customized advice and counsel.
I had great success with the last course I took with you. My first EOY appeal campaign (sent mid December, a 4 page letter and lots of “yous”:) came in 38% higher than the previous year so far! And envelopes are still coming in. Very exciting.
Margo Reveil, Cook Inletkeeper
My Commitment to You
I toiled away for many years, working for small nonprofits, and wearing many hats: grantwriter, individual giving manager, webmaster, event planner, database manager, graphic designer, marketing director, and more. Funding for training was non-existent at best, and I often paid for books, workshops and seminars out-of-pocket. That is often the hard reality of the small shop fundraiser.
In the Basics & More eCourses, you will always find outstanding donor-focused fundraising training, offered by the industry’s leaders…at the lowest price. Guaranteed.
If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with the content of this course, you can stop taking it at any time and receive a full, 100%, no questions asked refund.
We just registered for the eCourse – Your Fundraising Plan & Case for Support. Thank you for sharing this amazing opportunity at so reasonable a cost for tiny nonprofits like ours.
Heidi Jones
Your Investment in Your Nonprofit Annual Report | The Basics & More!
A full-day in-person seminar on non-profit prospecting can cost anywhere from $250-$500 (not including travel expenses), and yet not offer anywhere near the amount or quality of materials that are included with this course…
The total investment for this course, including the sample materials and templates, written guides, and podcast is just $67.
I can’t wait to meet with you personally.