Designing Impact Reports That Actually Work

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact

Annual reports shouldn’t feel like an obligation — they should feel like a gift. But for too many nonprofits, impact reporting is still stuck in the past: flat, uninspired, and quickly forgotten.

In this episode, Eric and Jonathan unpack how to rethink your approach to reporting — and turn your annual impact story into one of your organization’s most powerful strategic tools.

➔ The secret ingredient of high-performing reports.
➔ The real ROI of a well-designed impact report — and how to measure success beyond the PDF.
➔ A simple way to start small: what a minimum viable impact report looks like (and why it’s enough).
➔ How digital and physical formats can work together to spark deeper connection with supporters.
➔ Why your report is only as good as your distribution strategy — and how to plan one that delivers.

If your reports are starting to feel more like homework than momentum-builders, this episode will help you reframe the process — and unlock new energy, clarity, and results from one of your most overlooked assets.

Don’t just report impact. Design it.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] - Why impact reports must go beyond check-the-box compliance.
• [01:43] - Design choices, storytelling moments, and a surprising community favorite.
• [04:34] - Jonathan opens up about why even EDs can dread it—and how to reframe it.
• [06:16] - Why that one piece matters more than you think.
• [07:41] - Conversation starters, trust builders, and supporter affirmation.
• [10:57] Why your report must have a digital component and how to make print feel like a premium experience.
• [14:34] - When to go immersive, when to go tangible.
• [17:25] Build your report all year long. Treat stories and metrics as ingredients, not afterthoughts.
• [21:03] - Personalized impact reports are the new frontier.
• [23:32] - Why “post and pray” doesn’t work, and what to do instead.
• [26:09] - How chunking up content triples conversions.

Resources:

• Case Study - Equality Fund
• Article - The Benefits of a Digital Annual Report
• Article - How to Prepare for Your Digital Annual Report
• Article -Prove it or Lose it: Why Proof of Impact Matters in the Social Impact Space
• Article - Turning Stats Into Stories: Supercharge Your Social Enterprise’s Proof of Impact

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Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Chapters

1. Making Impact Reports Special (00:00:00)

2. Defining Impact Reporting Today (00:07:06)

3. Strategic Outcomes of Effective Reports (00:13:48)

4. Digital vs Physical Components (00:17:24)

5. Building Your Report All Year (00:21:52)

6. Distribution Strategy for Impact (00:23:40)