Nonprofit Board Engagement: 3 Ways to Use Your Annual Report

Nonprofit board engagement is crucial. One of the best ways to engage them is to provide diverse opportunities for involvement. Instead of only asking your board to attend events or donate, provide them with an exciting, new way to get involved. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through 3 ways you can get your board members involved in your annual report. And why it’s important.

Why is nonprofit board engagement important?

Your board has the potential to help further your mission. Engaged, excited members can help recruit new volunteers and entice new donors. When motivated, they can help set the organization on a path to success.

By asking your board members to help with the annual report—before it’s published, and after—you’ll give them a chance to take part in a new way.

3 ways to use your annual report for nonprofit board engagement  

1. Writing and designing the annual report

Helping to create a theme. Every great annual report has a theme. Board members can help to identify what your theme of the year will be. In doing so, you’ll give them a chance to reflect on the mission and goals of your nonprofit. Together, you’ll consider the highlights of the year, and the impact made throughout.

Gathering testimonials. Ask your board members to contribute testimonials to your nonprofit annual report. These testimonials might cover why they’re honored to be a part of your mission. Or, why they’re personally involved in your specific goals. 

Choosing visual elements. The most successful nonprofit annual reports focus on storytelling with videos and images. Ask your board to select their favorite photos and videos of the year to include.

2. Sharing the published annual report

Sharing on social media. Once you’ve published, ask your board members to post it online. With mobile-friendly software, board members can share on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Share via email. Encourage your board to share your annual report via email with colleagues or prospective donors. Because the digital annual report can live on your website, or as a downloadable pdf, board members can easily link to the report. Or, they can attach the pdf to their email.

3. Giving feedback on the annual report

Ask for constructive criticism. After you’ve published and shared and shared, meet with your board members for their feedback. What sections resonated with them and which didn’t? How well do they think it portrayed the mission and goals?

Ready to start using your annual report for better board engagement? Use Yearly’s free trial to create your digital annual report.