Free page plan · print it
The 8-page nonprofit annual report: what goes on each page
A plan you can use with any tool. Fill it in from top to bottom; most small organizations can draft it in a week.
The pages
| Page | What | What’s on it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cover | The year in one sentence. Your logo, your colours. |
| 2 | Letter from the director | We draft it from your notes; you sign it. |
| 3 | Year at a glance | Four figures, set large. |
| 4–5 | Two program stories | One pull-quote each. No photos needed. |
| 6 | The money page | Where each dollar went · where it came from. |
| 7 | Thank you | Donor names only if you provide them. |
| 8 | What’s next | Goals for next year · how to give. |
What to gather first
- Totals for the year: income by source (individuals, foundations, events, government) and spending by program, operations and fundraising. Use the figures your board already approved; your Form 990 is a good cross-check. Not tax or accounting advice. Figures and rules: IRS Form 990 instructions.
- Four headline figures for page 3: people served, volunteers, hours, sites or events.
- Two stories of about 120 words each, with permission from the people in them. Initials or first names only if they prefer.
- 5 bullet notes from your director for the letter.
- Donor names only if your donors agreed to be listed.
- Three goals for next year and one clear way to give.
A one-week calendar
| Day | Do this | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gather totals and the four headline figures | ☐ |
| 2 | Collect stories and photo permissions | ☐ |
| 3 | Draft the letter and the two stories | ☐ |
| 4 | Build the money page and the year-at-a-glance page | ☐ |
| 5 | Lay out all eight pages | ☐ |
| 6 | One person checks every figure against the source | ☐ |
| 7 | Export a print PDF and an email PDF; send | ☐ |
December year-end: start in the first half of January. June year-end: start in July.