Belief-Building Annual Report Playbook

What you’ll find inside the playbook

This guide walks you through the thinking behind effective annual reports—not just what to include, but why it each element is so important.

You’ll learn:

• 4 clear steps to plan an annual report that connects, before you ever open a design file
• 14 essential elements every strong annual report needs to build trust and donor confidence
• How to design your report for maximum usage, so it fuels emails, fundraising, grants, and board conversations all year
• Real-world inspiration from nonprofits like yours, showing how belief shows up through structure, pacing, and design choices

Throughout the playbook, you’ll see Acton Circle’s BELIEF by design™ framework applied in practical ways—helping you move from “checking the box” to creating something donors genuinely care about.