Blog

Design Insights

Visual storytelling, strategic communication, and lasting impact—it all begins with intentional design.

We share thoughtful insights and actionable strategies to help nonprofits and foundations build brands that command attention and inspire change. More than just a blog, it’s a space for community and collaboration, uniting those who believe in the power of design to amplify missions.

Join us as we craft meaningful conversations, share expertise, and drive action—because when great design meets world-changing work, anything is possible.

Our blog

Design Insights

More than just a blog, this is a space to explore how nonprofits build brands that capture attention and create change.

Visual storytelling, clear communication, and lasting impact all start here.

Latest Blogs

Check out our latest resources on how purpose-driven leaders craft meaningful change, create sustainable impact, and inspire action through design.

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Annual Report Design
4
MIN READ

Premium Design, Purpose-Driven Price: Canva Report Template Kits for Small Nonprofit Teams

Great nonprofit design doesn’t have to come with a big price tag. Learn how Acton Circle’s Canva report templates deliver professional branding at a purpose-driven price, with setup support if you need it.
Donor Engagement
5
MIN READ

How to Thank Donors: Create an Awesome Donor Thank You Card (4 Free Templates!)

Learn how to create donor thank you cards that build lasting nonprofit relationships, plus get free templates to make it easy and impactful.
Annual Report Design
3
MIN READ

Get Ahead This Summer: Start Your Nonprofit Annual Report Now

Summer’s the perfect time to plan your nonprofit’s annual report. Here’s how early planning saves your sanity and strengthens donor trust.

Donor Engagement

Design that turns your mission into momentum—through compelling visuals, assets, and stories that move donors to act.

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Donor Engagement
5
MIN READ

How to Thank Donors: Create an Awesome Donor Thank You Card (4 Free Templates!)

Learn how to create donor thank you cards that build lasting nonprofit relationships, plus get free templates to make it easy and impactful.
Donor Engagement
4
MIN READ

How to Encourage Generous Donors All Year (Not Just at the Holidays)

Build a loyal community of generous donors with proven year-round engagement tips. Our simple strategies help you connect with supporters each month.
Donor Engagement
5
MIN READ

Emotional Engagement vs Emotional Manipulation

Learn how to create ethical emotional engagement for your nonprofit marketing. Discover the difference between authentic donor connections and manipulation.

Donor Engagement

Design that turns your mission into momentum—through compelling visuals, assets, and stories that move donors to act.

Annual Report Design

Showcase your impact, celebrate donors, and tell your story effectively with annual reports that inform, engage your communities, and honor your mission.

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Annual Report Design
4
MIN READ

Premium Design, Purpose-Driven Price: Canva Report Template Kits for Small Nonprofit Teams

Great nonprofit design doesn’t have to come with a big price tag. Learn how Acton Circle’s Canva report templates deliver professional branding at a purpose-driven price, with setup support if you need it.
Annual Report Design
3
MIN READ

Get Ahead This Summer: Start Your Nonprofit Annual Report Now

Summer’s the perfect time to plan your nonprofit’s annual report. Here’s how early planning saves your sanity and strengthens donor trust.
Annual Report Design
4
MIN READ

What Common Design Mistakes Should We Avoid in Our Annual Report to Ensure Clarity?

Discover the most common design mistakes in annual reports and how to avoid them. Create clear, engaging reports that highlight your nonprofit’s impact effectively.

Annual Report Design

Showcase your impact, celebrate donors, and tell your story effectively with annual reports that inform, engage your communities, and honor your mission.

Branding & Marketing

Make your cause stand out with strategies that cut through the noise and move hearts to action—from rebranding tips to actionable social media tactics.

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Branding & Marketing
5
MIN READ

Boutique Design Studios vs. Agencies for Nonprofit Organizations

Should nonprofits work with boutique design studios or big agencies? Check out the pros and cons of each to choose the best partner for you.
Branding & Marketing
8
MIN READ

How to Repurpose Nonprofit Content Into 5 Canva Designs (Without Starting from Scratch)

Build momentum, stay consistent. Learn how to repurpose nonprofit content into time-saving Canva designs that amplify your mission.
Branding & Marketing
8
MIN READ

How We Help Overwhelmed Marketing Teams Make More with Less

Learn how Acton Circle provides support for small marketing teams to help purpose-led orgs scale their design output, without the burnout.

Visual Storytelling

Champion your mission and build a record of your growing legacy with the power of visual storytelling that highlights your transformative social impact.

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Visual Storytelling
8
MIN READ

The Power of Nonprofit Visual Storytelling (and How to Make the Most of It)

Tell real stories and make a real impact through effective nonprofit visual storytelling. Here, we talk about all you need to know (and more).
Visual Storytelling
4
MIN READ

How to Find Inclusive Imagery that Strengthens Trust and Helps Your Brand Stand Out

Embrace your communities with inclusive imagery that shows genuine representation. Not sure how? Start with this basic guide.
Visual Storytelling
4
MIN READ

How to Create Visuals that Improve Donor Engagement and Drive Impact

Discover how to boost donor engagement with effective visuals. Learn step-by-step strategies to create impactful graphics that align with your nonprofit's mission and drive results.

Website Design

Put people at the heart of your website design by going beyond technicalities—focusing on elevating your vision and honoring your world-changing work.

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Website Design
5
MIN READ

9 Unexpected Things That Are Hurting Your Nonprofit’s Donor Retention

Discover the 9 common mistakes that could be damaging your nonprofit's donor retention rates. Learn actionable strategies to keep your donors engaged and giving for the long-term.
Website Design
6
MIN READ

What use is great design if it’s not accessible, inclusive, and welcoming?

Explore ways to make your nonprofit's message reach everyone through inclusive design that respects diverse abilities, cultures, and perspectives.
Website Design
3
MIN READ

Nonprofit Website Accessibility: 4 Simple Steps to Make Your Website More Accessible

Ready to make your website more accessible for all donors and community members? Here are four ways to improve your nonprofit website accessibility.

Website Design

Put people at the heart of your website design by going beyond technicalities—focusing on elevating your vision and honoring your world-changing work.

Client Case Studies

Get inspired by how nonprofits like yours advance their purpose and transform communities through effective, premium designs and creative strategies.

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Client Case Studies
2
MIN READ

Empowering Women and Communities: Planet Women’s Annual Report Design

Explore how we crafted Planet Women’s impactful annual report, blending storytelling, powerful visuals, and an organic design to highlight their mission of empowering women and supporting environmental advocacy.
Client Case Studies
2
MIN READ

Interactive Impact Microsites for Tides Foundation

We created engaging multimedia microsites for Tides to showcase how they empower BIPOC leaders driving change in democracy, climate, and reproductive justice.

Client Case Studies

Get inspired by how nonprofits like yours advance their purpose and transform communities through effective, premium designs and creative strategies.

Subscribe to The Bold Print

Where mission-driven design meets donor engagement.The Bold Print shares biweekly insights on design strategy, visual storytelling, and brand stewardship, created to support your nonprofit’s big vision.

guide

The Guide to Annual Reports That Drive Engagement and Support

Want your annual report to move donors and your community, not just inform them?
‍‍
This guide gives you the strategy and design tips to turn your report into a powerful fundraising and marketing tool.

→ Showcase impact clearly
→ Drive engagement + support
→ Skip the fluff, keep the results‍

download guide

Acton Circle is a strategic design studio dedicated to visual storytelling for purpose-driven organizations. We partner with foundations, tech ventures, higher education institutions, and professional services firms to transform missions into meaningful impact.

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Where mission-driven design meets donor engagement. The Bold Print shares biweekly insights on design strategy, visual storytelling, and brand stewardship, created to support your nonprofit’s big vision.

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