Best Annual Report Makers for Nonprofits [2023] | Yearly

A task that’s usually left to the last minute or takes lots of time and energy, many organizations struggle to create their reports on time and without stress. By using an annual report maker, organizations can make reporting easier for everyone.

In this blog, we’ll teach you everything there is to know about annual report makers — and which one is best for you.

What is an annual report?

A nonprofit annual report is a comprehensive document that provides an overview of a nonprofit organization’s activities, achievements, financial performance, and impact during a specific period, typically one year. It serves as a communication tool to inform stakeholders, including donors, board members, volunteers, staff, and the general public, about the organization’s mission, accomplishments, challenges, and future goals.

Want to see some real-life examples? Check out the best annual report examples of 2023 →

What is annual report software?

A nonprofit annual report maker is a tool or software that helps nonprofit organizations create their annual reports. 

Nonprofit annual report makers can assist organizations with:

• Designing and formatting their reports,
• Incorporating images and graphics, 
• Organizing data
• Using or creating templates
• Publishing and sharing the report 
• Creating custom reports

These tools provide an easy-to-use interface that allow nonprofits to input their information and create visually appealing reports without the need for advanced design or technical skills.

Some nonprofit annual report makers may offer additional features such as data visualization tools, pre-designed sections for showcasing impact stories, integration with financial software for automating financial data, and the ability to export reports in various formats (PDF, Word, etc.) for easy distribution.

Use templates, drag-and-drop editing, and more to build an annual report in minutes →

Why is an annual report maker important for nonprofits to use?

Professional presentation

Annual reports are crucial for showcasing a nonprofit’s impact and financial transparency. A report maker provides professionally designed templates and layouts, ensuring that the report looks polished and visually appealing, even if the person using it has no design experience or design skills. It helps nonprofits present their information in a clear, organized, and engaging manner, making it easier for stakeholders to understand and appreciate the organization’s work.

Time and resource efficiency

Creating an annual report from scratch can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. An online report maker streamlines the report creation process by offering pre-designed sections, customizable annual report templates, and automated formatting options so anyone can make a report in minutes. This saves nonprofits valuable time and resources that can be directed toward other important activities.

Consistency and branding

An annual report maker helps maintain consistency in the design and branding of the annual report. Nonprofits can incorporate their logo, color scheme, and other visual elements that align with their brand identity. This consistency reinforces the organization’s professionalism and enhances its recognition among stakeholders.

Data visualization and interpretation

Many annual report makers offer data visualization tools that can transform complex financial and impact data into visually compelling charts (bar charts, pie charts, bubble charts, etc.), graphs, and infographics. These visual representations make it easier for stakeholders to interpret and understand the information presented. By presenting data as a visual story, nonprofits can effectively communicate their achievements and progress.

Flexibility and distribution options

Nonprofit annual report makers often provide flexibility in terms of output formats. Reports can be exported as PDFs or be used digitally for online distribution through social media., e-newsletters, and a nonprofit’s websites. This flexibility enables nonprofits to share their reports through various channels, including websites, social media, email newsletters, and print copies.

Creativity

Without an annual report creator, nonprofits are limited when it comes to their design choices. With annual report design software, organizations can incorporate bold colors, embed stock photos, use branded fonts, and even utilize an icon library. Without an annual report generator, nonprofits can get stuck making boring reports.

What is a digital annual report, and why should I create one?

There are several reasons why nonprofits should consider using digital annual reports over print reports:

Accessibility

 Digital reports can reach a wider audience compared to print reports. They can be easily shared and accessed online, allowing nonprofits to reach stakeholders globally. Digital reports can be viewed on computers, tablets, and mobile devices, making them accessible to diverse individuals.

Interactivity and engagement

 Digital annual reports offer interactive features that enhance stakeholder engagement. Nonprofits can incorporate multimedia elements such as videos, infographics, and interactive charts to present information in a more engaging and dynamic way. Interactive reports encourage stakeholders to explore the report and interact with the content with clickable elements, increasing their understanding and connection with the organization’s work.

Updates

 Nonprofits can make real-time updates to reflect the latest achievements, impact data, or financial information. Additionally, digital reports can be archived and accessed online for an extended period, ensuring long-term accessibility for stakeholders.

Integration with online platforms

 Digital annual reports can be seamlessly integrated with other online platforms, such as the nonprofit’s website or social media channels. Nonprofits can share report highlights, excerpts, or links across various online platforms, expanding the reach and visibility of their report.

What can I do with annual report software besides creating an annual report?

Endowment reports

An endowment report is a document that provides an overview of the performance and impact of an organization’s endowment fund. With a digital report maker,  organizations can create personalized reports in minutes.

Impact reports

An impact report is a document that communicates the social, environmental, and/or economic outcomes and effects generated by a nonprofit organization, business, project, or initiative. 

Ready to start using a donor impact report builder? Sign up for Yearly Precision →

  Board reports

A board report is a document prepared for the board of directors of an organization. It serves as a comprehensive overview of the organization’s performance, activities, and key issues, providing the board with the necessary information to make informed decisions and provide strategic guidance.

Event recaps

A nonprofit event recap report is a document that provides a summary and evaluation of a specific event organized by a nonprofit organization. This report serves as a post-event analysis and communication tool, capturing the key highlights, outcomes, and lessons learned from the event.

Best annual report software generators

Yearly

Yearly is uniquely designed for nonprofits and associations, unlike other digital report software. Determined to help nonprofit organizations make more impact, Yearly is one of the most trusted digital report software builders. In fact, their digital tools have helped globally recognized nonprofits like WWF, Food & Friends, and more. These reports have helped build connections with stakeholders and increase donations. Plus, they help with volunteer and donor retention, too!

In general, Yearly is best for:

• Schools and higher education organizations
• Healthcare institutions
• Local, national, and global nonprofits
• Churches and religious organizations
• Any kind of nonprofit organization looking to impress stakeholders through reporting

  Use a template to create impact reports, annual reports, and more →

Why it’s a great annual report maker: Yearly’s built-in tools are perfect for small or large nonprofits, no matter their missions or goals. Plus, the software is built for every kind of nonprofit digital report need. Think annual reports, impact reports, and even board reports. Plus, unlike Canva, users can upload .csv files and talk one-on-one with nonprofit experts. Plus, users love the tailored help and helpful demos.

Canva

Canva is a versatile graphic design platform offering customizable templates and easy-to-use tools for visually appealing annual reports. It provides a wide range of design elements, including charts, graphs, and images, to enhance the report’s visual impact.

Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign is a professional design software widely used for creating print and digital publications, including annual reports. It provides advanced design capabilities, precise layout control, and integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications.

Vengage

Venngage is a design tool that focuses on creating infographics and visual content. It offers customizable templates, icons, charts, and maps to help nonprofits create engaging and visually compelling annual reports.

Annual Report Makers: Create a Digital Report in Minutes

No matter your nonprofit’s needs — whether you’re interested in making endowment reports, impact reports, or even event recap reports, Yearly is the best software solution created just for nonprofits. Browse pre-built annual report templates, collaborate with multiple team members, and create a one-of-a-kind marketing tool without any of the hassle.

To get started, sign up for a free 14-day trial →

Josh Kligman is the CEO of Yearly, a platform for nonprofits to create their own digital reports. Josh has been working with nonprofits on annual reports, brands and partnerships since 2011. He is helping nonprofits create more engaging, digital annual and impact reports with Yearly. Throughout his career, Josh has helped launch and run nonprofit brand campaigns and media partnerships nationally and locally, using television, radio and web, to amplify the reach of campaigns and provide demonstrated value for non-profit stakeholders. Josh received his B.A. from American University in Communications and his M.B.A. from American University in Marketing Management and Entrepreneurship.

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