Not sure if you need a nonprofit style guide? You’ve come to the right place. Because organizations usually have limited marketing budgets, style guides fall by the wayside. Plus, style guides are often thought of as for-profit assets, not nonprofit ones. Given that, many charities often aren’t sure what a style guide is, if they ...
Continue ReadingMost people think of for-profit industries when they hear the term “conversion rates.” Namely, they often think of sales and product leads. However, conversion rates also apply to the nonprofit industry—and they’re incredibly important. What are nonprofit conversion rates? In general, a conversion rate refers to the percentage of users that take the desired action. ...
Continue ReadingMost nonprofits have a Board of Directors (BOD). But, despite how helpful and lucrative that board is, many organizations don’t take full advantage of the benefits of having a robust, passionate nonprofit board of directors on their team. For most, a board of directors comes with long, often boring meetings, scheduled check-ins, and dry agendas. ...
Continue ReadingOne of the easiest ways to nail nonprofit digital reporting is to include a staff member and board member list. Though it’s often overlooked, including this information about your organization—and the people behind it—can be incredibly important. 4 reasons why you should include staff and board lists in your digital reporting 1.It creates transparency ...
Continue ReadingWhen trying to distinguish your nonprofit from others in your sector, it can be easy to feel competitive and not collaborative. But, teaming up with like-minded organizations with similar values and missions can actually be more beneficial than you might think. This blog post will uncover why collaboration, not competition, is the key to nonprofit ...
Continue ReadingLike any industry, the nonprofit sector can often feel saturated. With so many organizations looking to make an impact, some missions are bound to overlap. A little competition—especially in the nonprofit world—is not always a bad thing. But, without thoughtful strategy around your nonprofit’s brand, it might hinder your charity’s ability to receive funding. ...
Continue ReadingIn 2023, nonprofits will face many new challenges. By staying up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies, organizations can better equip themselves to handle whatever comes their way. Utilizing LinkedIn, implementing technology into their workflow, and utilizing video marketing tactics are just a few ways that nonprofits stay ahead of the game. With the right ...
Continue ReadingUnderstandably, many nonprofits are hyper-focused on attracting donors that will contribute large sums of money or huge endowments. But, soliciting small donations can sometimes be even more helpful in the long run. Most nonprofit workers know that any contribution can help make an impact. However, it’s important to really understand why small contributions are crucial ...
Continue ReadingUsing digital technologies for board governance is an essential step for businesses today. When incorporating virtual meetings and other technology into all aspects of board governance, the benefits outweigh any potential downside. Board portals offer secure online spaces for meetings, information sharing, and many other tasks associated with board responsibilities.Board software solutions include searchable, up-to-date ...
Continue ReadingWhen nonprofits collect and analyze data, they help their organization succeed in both the long term and the short term. By collecting certain nonprofit data points, organizations can make informed decisions. And, they can scale up or scale back on programs and other initiatives. Or, plan for the future (among other things). While there ...
Continue ReadingAny nonprofit organization’s sole mission is to benefit societal welfare. Usually, nonprofits have specific goals in mind (environmental, social, etc.). But, it’s important that every nonprofit, no matter its mission, engages in other forms of social good. One way to accomplish this is to invest in nonprofit technology. One important, topical trend that nonprofits ...
Continue ReadingDoubling Your Donations with Nonprofit Communication Yearly’s Nonprofit Crash Course: A 15-minute nonprofit crash course on fundraising and marketing best practices. Josh Kligman from Yearly was joined by Tom Ahern from Ahern Communications. Tom offers two specific tests you can give yourself to double your donations. While Tom is talking about examples of great ...
Continue ReadingLike any for-profit company, it’s important that nonprofits stay relevant and topical when appealing to supporters and other stakeholders. Though nonprofits aren’t selling a “product,” it’s crucial that they stay up-to-date on real-world news and industry trends. When nonprofits are able to remain relevant in this way, stakeholders feel more connected to their mission. ...
Continue ReadingOne of a nonprofit leader’s most persistent challenges is the inability to prove individuals, families, and communities are better off because of the work you do. Although you are making a positive impact in your community, it may seem that there are not enough hours in a week to measure the true impact of your ...
Continue ReadingIt’s never too early to start preparing for year-end giving. For many nonprofits, year-end giving yields more donations than Giving Tuesday. In fact, research shows that nearly one-third of annual giving happens in December. Because the end of the year is such a popular time for charitable giving, nonprofits should make the most of ...
Continue ReadingThough the holiday feels like it’s far into the future, it’s fast approaching. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the basics of how to nail Giving Tuesday. What is Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday is an annual holiday that celebrates giving back. Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday is a nationally recognized day that ...
Continue ReadingFor a lot of nonprofits, the annual report can feel like an administrative burden. Without knowing the true benefits of an annual report, so many nonprofits dread creating it over the year. The truth is, the annual report is a strategic fundraising tool—it’s a report that can be reused and recycled for a variety ...
Continue ReadingGoing Beyond Annual and Impact Reports Going beyond annual and impact reports: Learn how to make digital brochures, donor reports, board reports, event recaps and monthly/quarterly updates using Yearly. You can read the discussion here: Hi everyone. I want to welcome you to the workshop today that’s going to go over various tips that we ...
Continue ReadingThough the process of planning and executing the annual report can be tiresome, the benefits can really pay off. Sure, a nonprofit annual report is usually something that nonprofits are more or less required to do. But, they can also be a wealth of marketing material. Instead of creating your annual report and just ...
Continue ReadingMore of the philanthropic sector is going digital. In light of this, it’s important that charities take time to assess the nonprofit software they’re looking to buy. From data management to digital report software, nonprofits should understand what kind of technology is right for them. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with a ...
Continue ReadingDigitally Transforming Your Board Josh Kligman from Yearly was joined by Krista Martin from Boardable, to discuss best practices in establishing roles, responsibilities, and expectations to help everyone thrive from staff to board members. Krista talked about how you can help your board with change and adopt practices that will 10x your nonprofit impact. You ...
Continue ReadingAnnual report season is upon us. With Giving Tuesday on the horizon and year-end giving following close behind, the annual report can often fall by the wayside. To avoid that, it’s best that nonprofits get ahead and start preparing for their reports as early as possible. Our experts at Yearly have outlined 6 best ...
Continue ReadingIf you’re in a fundraising slump and don’t know how to improve your practices, we have some tips for building connections that last. And, result in recurring donations. Because donors are at the heart of every nonprofit, cultivating a sustainable connection with stakeholders is imperative. In this blog post, we’ll teach you our 5 best ...
Continue ReadingWith end-of-year giving right around the corner, nonprofits are feeling the pressure to fundraise. With giving at an all-time high, nonprofits are incentivized to meet financial goals and target supporters. Now more than ever it’s important to figure out best practices for increasing donations. 5 Best Practices for Increasing Donations 1. Segment your ...
Continue ReadingVolunteer efforts are crucial to every nonprofit. That’s why it’s important that organizations put lots of time in effort into onboarding and training volunteers. This way, your organization can ensure that volunteers don’t experience burnout. And ensure that they feel supported by your organization. One of the best ways to onboard and train volunteers is ...
Continue ReadingNonprofit staff are often tasked with big projects and long working hours. When managerial staff isn’t mindful of their employee’s workload, it can be hard to prevent nonprofit staff burnout. What is burnout? In the past few years, “burnout” has become a buzzword. But what does it really mean? Burnout refers to the consequences ...
Continue ReadingFundraising is never easy. Asking for money from donors and stakeholders can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. It’s a constant obstacle that nonprofits have to face in their day-day operations. From getting creative with “asks” to designing engaging campaigns, nonprofit workers are familiar with the fundraising hustle. This fundraising stress is only compounded ...
Continue ReadingThe nonprofit industry has started to go green. Long gone are the days of paper reports and brochures. Digital, mobile-friendly content is “in”—and it’s here to stay. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what nonprofit digital reports your organization needs. While so many nonprofits are reaping the benefits of dumping snail mail, many ...
Continue ReadingHow to Become a Nonprofit Thought Leader in 2023 – Yearly No matter what your organization’s goals are, content marketing is a key component of success. Content marketing allows your organization to gain more traction, visibility, and credibility. Not to mention, it can help set your charity apart from others like it. While ...
Continue ReadingWhether you’re new to the nonprofit world or a veteran in the field, you probably know about the power of gratitude. Saying “thank you” to supporters, donors, and volunteers is one of the most fundamental pieces of nonprofit work. Gratitude drives donations, and volunteer efforts, and brings supporters closer to the cause. When we acknowledge ...
Continue ReadingFrom huge galas to smaller neighborhood fundraisers, so many nonprofits rely on seasonal events to help drive fundraising efforts. Because these events usually take months of planning and require lots of staff time and energy, it can be hard to get motivated about the event recap. However, nonprofit event recaps can be a great way ...
Continue ReadingSEO, or search engine optimization, is a popular marketing strategy. In tandem with social media and other forms of marketing, SEO is often a key component of promotion—if crafted correctly, SEO can level up business. But, given that this marketing strategy often goes hand-in-hand with sales and for-profit work, it can be hard to determine if ...
Continue ReadingNational Nonprofit Day, founded in 1894, is an important holiday for nonprofits to celebrate. Every year on August 17, nonprofits around the country are recognized for their ongoing work—both globally and locally. Why is National Nonprofit Day important for nonprofits? Like any national holiday, it’s important that charities—no matter how big—are aware of ...
Continue ReadingWe know—it feels early to even think about the fall. With summer underway and “out of office” emails abundant, the thought of fall feels like it’s months, if not years away! Despite that, it is important for nonprofits to start strategizing for the new season as early as they can. Doing so will help alleviate ...
Continue ReadingNo matter how big or small your nonprofit is, it’s important to figure out whether an active social media presence is beneficial for your organization. An active social media presence can look different for every charity, depending on the demographics of your audience, mission, and impact. For some, investing in tons of LinkedIn, Instagram, and ...
Continue ReadingSummer is often notoriously a difficult season to campaign and fundraise. So many supporters are often on vacation, taking a break from their work, and unplugging from daily responsibilities and tasks. For some organizations, this can feel like a low point. In comparison to the fall and winter months, and sometimes even spring, summer can ...
Continue ReadingGoing digital and being mobile-friendly is pretty important for nonprofits. From text message marketing to digitizing your annual report, moving away from the traditional paper trail has never been more important. But, going digital can often be a big jump for nonprofits, especially those that have been in business for quite some time. Transforming paper ...
Continue ReadingWhen nonprofits think of donations, they usually think of monetary donations. These donations could be checks, cash, or even large endowments. Of course, financial contributions are important—they’re the foundation of any successful nonprofit. In fact, they’re one of the most essential components. Despite the necessity of monetary donations, new research shows that stakeholders tend ...
Continue ReadingNonprofit workers are busy—they’re focused on fundraising, community outreach, and administrative work (among many other things!). Because of that, nonprofits often don’t have time (or the resources) to invest in feedback and testimonials. What is a testimonial? A testimonial is usually a fairly short quote or piece of feedback from a supporter or beneficiary that ...
Continue ReadingIt’s no surprise to anyone that video content is one of the most powerful marketing tools. For nonprofits, much is the same. In fact, over three-quarters of donors agree that video marketing is one of the most influential forms of advertising. Plus, it makes them much more likely to donate. While photos and other visual ...
Continue ReadingHow to make your nonprofit mobile-friendly Though it’s not much of a surprise to anyone—the world has gone mobile. That means that all your carefully crafted emails and website content are not being read on a desktop computer or laptop. No—they’re being viewed and read on daily commutes, between meetings, and more. With busy lives ...
Continue ReadingVolunteers are critical to the success of any nonprofit. From helping to run events, advocate for the mission, and even help garner new supporters, volunteers play a pivotal role in creating impact. That’s why it’s important that nonprofits learn how to prevent volunteer burnout. While finding volunteers is a task in itself, it’s important ...
Continue ReadingDonors (and donations) are essential for any nonprofit organization. If you’re a veteran in the industry or even a newcomer, this isn’t the most shocking idea. Because nonprofits rely on donations, it’s imperative that every nonprofit handles its donors with care. Plus, championing your donors can be beneficial to your organization, even aside from donations. ...
Continue ReadingThis week, Yearly is proud to announce a few brand new partnerships with some incredible organizations. By teaming up with these strategic partners—all in the nonprofit space—we’ll be able to help more organizations grow, adapt, and succeed! Continue reading to learn more about our partnerships. Boardable Driven by their passion for community organizations, ...
Continue ReadingNot sure what software to use to create your annual report? We’ve got you covered. Deciding which software to use for your next annual report is a task within itself. For small, or even large nonprofits, that have little to no experience in annual report creation or graphic design, it can be tough to decipher ...
Continue ReadingWe’ve compiled a list of some of the best education annual reports created by related nonprofit organizations. The following foundations have created annual reports that inspire action, incorporate expert storytelling, and follow some of our best practices.
Continue ReadingThe how and why behind integrating social media into your annual report If you’re a business owner or nonprofit leader, you probably already know how important social media is. From reaching new audiences to creating brand awareness, social media is an incredible tool. It can help cultivate meaningful connections and inspire more donations—a key to ...
Continue ReadingExamples of stellar healthcare-related annual reports and why we love them Using Yearly, healthcare organizations can deliver sensitive, pertinent information with care. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best healthcare annual reports created by related nonprofit organizations. The following foundations have created annual reports that inspire action, incorporate expert storytelling, and follow some ...
Continue ReadingWondering if you should hire a graphic designer? As nonprofit leaders and advocates in the field, our team at Yearly hears this question often. While every nonprofit organization is different and has different needs, there are definitely some pros and cons to taking on a graphic designer to create your annual report. In this blog ...
Continue ReadingCreating an annual report can be a huge hassle. The project often requires months of organization, time, and money. For most nonprofits, with limited budgets and resources, the task can often feel like a burden. When nonprofits create their annual reports, they often don’t realize how much marketing potential they have. Sure, your annual report ...
Continue ReadingWe’ve compiled a list of some of the best faith-based annual reports. The following foundations created annual reports that inspire action, incorporate expert storytelling, and follow some of our best practices. The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County This faith-based annual report is a favorite for a few reasons. First, this organization expertly ...
Continue ReadingEvery nonprofit is different. So, every annual report is different. From religious organizations to educational foundations, we’re unpacking some of the most common annual report mistakes that many nonprofits make. 1. Dense text in the annual report An annual report is designed to capture an entire year’s worth of progress. Because of that, ...
Continue ReadingThere’s a lot of misconception in the nonprofit world about the differences between annual reports and impact reports. While there is some overlap between the two, they are very different from one another. What is an annual report? An annual report is usually created and published by a nonprofit once a year. Usually, this “year ...
Continue ReadingThe summer months are quiet for most industries. Depending on your audience, this might be true for your nonprofit, too. While the summer is the perfect chance to unwind and take a necessary break from your laptop, it’s also a great opportunity for some real focused work. Preparing and getting organized in the summer ...
Continue ReadingThe financial section of any annual report always seems to be the most stressful. It’s hard to know what to include, what to exclude, and how to go about presenting the information. Creating this section of the report is usually the part of the process that most of us dread, and for good reason. It’s ...
Continue ReadingSo much of the content that a nonprofit produces should aim to inspire its supporters—donors, partners, and stakeholders—to take action. An annual report should be no different. From inspiring your supporters to donate, volunteer, or even attend an event, your annual report is the perfect opportunity to encourage your communities to take action. With ...
Continue ReadingIt can be hard to discern what should be included or excluded from an annual report, especially because every nonprofit has a different mission, audience, and intended impact. However, there are some fairly universal, basic sections that most organizations should include in their annual report. 1. The mission statement Though this might seem obvious, it’s ...
Continue ReadingWhether you’re new to the nonprofit world or a seasoned veteran, annual reports can often feel both daunting and complicated. Despite being a necessary element to nonprofit work, it’s not always clear what the purpose of an annual report is, or what should be included in it. Understandably, nonprofits want to ensure that their investment ...
Continue ReadingHow to Write an Annual Report for a Nonprofit: The Ultimate Guide Want to know how to write an annual report for your nonprofit organization? Then you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we’ll outline all of the sections included in a great nonprofit annual report. Think of this framework as ...
Continue ReadingIf you need more reason to ditch the print-outs and the snail mail, this is it. Being environmentally conscious with your annual report is a win-win—the earth will thank you, and so will your nonprofit. When you switch to a digital-only report, you show your supporters that core values drive your business, you’re focused on ...
Continue ReadingYou’ve created your digital annual report—now what? Let’s spread the word! With the help of Yearly’s easy-to-use tools, online support, tips and how-tos, you’ve created your annual report and now it’s live—congratulations! We knew you could do it. Now comes the next step in the annual report journey: sharing it. An annual report is the ...
Continue ReadingThe key to any successful and impactful annual report is the ability to tell a story. Like any other written medium, annual reports can easily get bogged down by clunky, drab, and boring content. When that happens, nonprofits lose the interest—and possibly the essential support—of some key donors and stakeholders in their communities. To avoid ...
Continue ReadingImagine this scenario: You’re compiling your nonprofit’s annual report, but no matter how many times you process the data, the resulting statistics look off. Your average donation doesn’t line up with your total revenue. And you’re seeing two separate profiles for the donors you had planned to highlight in the report. More likely than not, ...
Continue ReadingYour data influences the direction of your nonprofit, especially when it comes to your donor relationships. Whether you’re collecting data to put your annual report together or are just analyzing your progress towards your quarterly goals, you will likely have a lot of data to examine, and some of it will be notably more helpful ...
Continue ReadingBack in the day, a nonprofit organization annual report was a full-team effort comprised of selecting stock images, stories, paper, and binding. ED’s and advancement professionals balanced the decision of developing an impressive report with not looking like they spent too much. The end result was a 20+page volume that only the unlucky staff member ...
Continue ReadingThe end of the year is a time to analyze the past year’s successes and shortcomings, then plan what you’ll do differently next year. Amidst your final fundraising pushes for the year, you’ll need to spend time organizing metrics from the past year and sharing them with the right people. Your board needs to see ...
Continue ReadingCreating an engaging digital annual report for nonprofits was the topic of the We Are For Good Podcast, co-hosted by Jonathan McCoy, CFRE and Becky Endicott, CFRE and welcomes the most dynamic nonprofit leaders, advocates and philanthropists to share innovative ideas and lessons learned! Episode #196 features Yearly CEO Josh Kligman. He believes it’s time ...
Continue ReadingYour nonprofit’s relationships with donors keep your organization running. From small thank you’s to large-scale donor appreciation events, managing these relationships should be one of your nonprofit’s first priorities. While each of your donor relationships is inherently unique and personal, you can still take a data driven approach when conversing with donors, especially in your ...
Continue ReadingWhat is the best way to find out if anyone is reading your nonprofit annual report? Use key metrics to track who is reading your nonprofit annual report! With Google Analytics, you will know how many people are engaging with your report, but that’s not all. You can also track metrics like geography, so you ...
Continue ReadingNonprofit annual report stress is real and can be overwhelming at times. When I created reports at nonprofits, the process took months and for some reason, the story always went like this: “We should do something different.” “Yes!” Four weeks later, “Nah, we don’t have time or budget, maybe next year.” Write content for graphic ...
Continue ReadingYour nonprofit files an annual report each year. The Form 990 is the required report that organizations like yours need to file in order to maintain your tax exempt status. However, many nonprofits also choose to publish another annual report. This report is supporter-facing, providing more than basic financial information the IRS needs to ensure ...
Continue ReadingA guest post from Adam Weinger from Double the Donation. As a nonprofit professional, you know that your annual report is one of the most important documents put out by your organization each year. When done well, it communicates your nonprofit’s impact on your community, shares progress toward goals, and provides a comprehensive view of ...
Continue ReadingWhat’s the secret sauce to writing effective content? A keen editor. Everyone needs an editor, even the most skilled writers. Recognized as “the last line of defense,” editors are charged with catching poor grammar, careless typos, inaccurate information and other errors before a piece of content is published for all to see. Because mistakes can ...
Continue ReadingEvery nonprofit has a dynamic story. However, conveying the emotional, human side of your organization in an annual report can be a tricky feat. You need to show your readers, not just tell them. Photos can make or break your annual report. With compelling visuals, you can share your powerful story, one that inspires compassion ...
Continue ReadingAnnual reports of the past were static, lengthy documents written in a language only insiders could comprehend. Now, annual reports speak to a broader audience, engaging readers through a narrative-driven approach complemented by engaging images. But we said, “Why stop there?” So, we took the new annual report a step further. With our dynamic toolbar, ...
Continue ReadingThis is the season to begin planning your next nonprofit annual report — one that speaks directly to your stakeholders. To help you get started, we reviewed each report created by the Yearly community this year, and are recognizing nine of them with unique awards based on creative and strategic storytelling. Whether you’re preparing your ...
Continue ReadingA guest post from Samantha Lego of Keela. One of the biggest pain points nonprofits have is how to get their message heard. If more people know about your cause, more people will lend their support, donations dollars will flood in, and all of a sudden your community impact is skyrocketing. Yet with so many ...
Continue ReadingArtist in Residence Yearly was built with storytelling and design top of mind. Our tool enables anyone to create beautiful, engaging and effective reports whether they have a design background or not. We realize that the hardest part is generally getting started, so we’re excited to offer you tips straight from our Artist in Residence, Adina Moses. Read ...
Continue Reading10 Minutes Today We’ve been in your shoes. We know an annual report doesn’t happen overnight. That said, a few 10 minute tasks can make a huge difference in the long run. Our 10 Minutes Today series is designed to help you take gradual steps toward the annual report finish line. Today’s 10: Cover + Contact Pages ...
Continue ReadingLast year we launched our first product, Yearly, a web-based application to create interactive, digital annual reports. Our goal from the outset with Yearly is to help purpose-driven brands tell powerful stories. Today, we continue our own story with some big news: Yearly is now free. Forever. Developed as a storytelling tool, Yearly allows nonprofits, ...
Continue ReadingYearly’s Co-founder, Jeff Rum, recently sat down with Stephen Garten, the founder and CEO of Charity Charge, to talk about Why—Why we do what we do and Why we’re both on a mission to help nonprofits work better and smarter. Though our Whys share much in common, we’ve gone about our work in very different ...
Continue ReadingYou created an annual report for your nonprofit, foundation or association because you had to. That’s fair. You don’t want to miss your deadline and it’s definitely nice to have a summary of your past fiscal year. Even if put in an effort to making the report look really nice, so many times the document ...
Continue ReadingIn addition to digital reports, we have a long history at Yearly of working with nonprofit organizations that plan a lot of events, ranging from formal galas to outdoor festivals. There are always two questions I ask them during a planning session: Who is the audience you care most about reaching? What action do you ...
Continue ReadingFor 15 years, I’ve been running my own agency; it’s been a dream of mine to launch a digital product. Today, the dream is a reality. Introducing Yearly, an online platform to create beautiful, interactive, and engaging digital annual reports. How did this product come about? Our team at ignite: action spent nearly a ...
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