the acton circle blog

Expert nonprofit graphic design tips and resources

This is where we break down how nonprofits and foundations use intentional design to earn trust, rally support, and better serve their communities through annual reports and the everyday tools that extend their story.

Donor Engagement

How to Measure Your Nonprofit’s Impact (And Make Sure It’s Felt)

Most nonprofits are measuring the right things, they're just not making donors feel them. Here's how to track what matters and communicate it in a way that builds belief.

Annual Report Design

The Faster Way to a Beautiful Annual Report

Our annual report template kits make nonprofit storytelling and design easier even with limited time or team.

Donor Engagement

9 Unexpected Issues That Are Hurting Your Nonprofit's Donor Retention

Missing your donor goals even though everything feels on track? These 9 overlooked issues could be hurting your nonprofit's donor retention.

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free resource

The Annual Report Checkpoint

A self-assessment to run before you invest time, budget, and team energy into your next annual report.

get the checkpoint

Annual Report Design

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

Annual Report Design

What Is a Nonprofit Annual Report & What to Include

Learn what a nonprofit annual report is, what to include, and how to combine annual and impact reporting into one clear, trust-building story for donors.

Annual Report Design

Donor Recognition Ideas for Your Nonprofit Annual Report

Acknowledge your donors' contributions and take a community-driven approach by showcasing them throughout your nonprofit’s annual report in ways that honor their role in your mission.

Annual Report Design

Digital vs Print Annual Report: Which One Is Right for Your Nonprofit?

Digital or print annual report? The answer depends on your supporters, your budget, and what the report needs to do. Here’s how to decide, and why most nonprofits end up doing both.

Annual Report Design

Annual Report Infographic Design That Builds Donor Trust

Six tips for annual report infographic design that keeps donors engaged, builds trust, and turns your data into content you can use all year.

Annual Report Design

Nonprofit Annual Report Checklist: 17 Things to Include

17 things every nonprofit annual report needs, and how to decide what actually belongs.

Annual Report Design

Nonprofit Annual Reports: The Complete Guide for Comms Teams

Your nonprofit annual report should do more than recap the year. Here’s everything comms teams need to know: format, design, writing, and how to make it work all year long.

Donor Engagement

Design that helps your mission move forward with visuals and stories that get donors to care and take action.

Donor Engagement

How to Measure Your Nonprofit’s Impact (And Make Sure It’s Felt)

Most nonprofits are measuring the right things, they're just not making donors feel them. Here's how to track what matters and communicate it in a way that builds belief.

Donor Engagement

9 Unexpected Issues That Are Hurting Your Nonprofit's Donor Retention

Missing your donor goals even though everything feels on track? These 9 overlooked issues could be hurting your nonprofit's donor retention.

Donor Engagement

Ethical Storytelling for Nonprofits: Where the Line Actually Is

Ethical storytelling for nonprofit is about what you do with design, data, and dignity. Here's where the line actually is, and what it costs when you cross it.

Donor Engagement

Nonprofit Donation Thank You Letter (Free Templates!)

Learn how to write a nonprofit donation thank you letter that feels personal, readable, and meaningful. Examples, design tips, and donor thank you card best practices. Plus, get free templates to make it easy.

Donor Engagement

How to Get Donors for a Nonprofit Organization: 6 Ideas

How to get donors for a nonprofit: 6 proven donor acquisition strategies and using your annual report strategically.

Donor Engagement

5 Donor Retention Strategies for Ongoing Support

Learn five donor retention strategies to raise retention rates, improve relationships with current donors, and keep new donors coming back.

Visual Storytelling

Champion your mission and document your legacy with visual storytelling that shows the real change you’re creating.

Visual Storytelling

Visual Storytelling in Nonprofit Annual Reports

A practical guide to using visual storytelling in nonprofit annual reports to show what changed, connect data to real people, and help donors understand what comes next.

Visual Storytelling

Inclusive Imagery for Nonprofits: How to Choose Visuals That Reflect Your Community

Generic stock photos aren't neutral, they're a choice. Here's how to find and use inclusive imagery that strengthens your nonprofit's visual storytelling.

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.

Branding & Marketing

Your Rebrand Is Coming. Stop Coasting Until It Gets Here.

Navigating a nonprofit brand with 6 to 12 months to go? Here’s what to do right now to stay credible before your rebrand launches.

Branding & Marketing

12 Nonprofit Website Examples to Inspire You

Check out the nonprofit website examples we’re most excited about and how you can turn your own site into a belief-building tool for visibility.

Branding & Marketing

Helping Leadership See the Value of Design at Your Nonprofit

Helping leadership see the value of design at your nonprofit so design decisions support donor trust, fundraising, and credibility.

Branding & Marketing

How to Give Designers Feedback That Actually Improves the Work

Discover how nonprofit teams can give design feedback that improves alignment, speeds up timelines, and results in design that builds belief.

Branding & Marketing

Nonprofit One-Pager: Helpful Tips + Templates

A nonprofit one-pager that tries to say everything ends up saying nothing. Here’s how to fix yours in five simple edits.

Branding & Marketing

Nonprofit Communications Strategy: A Guide for Success

When your community work moves faster than your messaging, here’s how to build a nonprofit communications strategy that keeps funders aligned and engaged.

Design that builds belief. For the organizations doing the most important work.

Subscribe to The Bold Print

Every week, Olivia shares what she’s learning from 12+ years designing hundreds of nonprofit projects and the storytelling systems behind them—the behind-the-scenes stuff that helps you show donors you mean what you say and create visuals that actually carry your message forward.

If you’re figuring out how to tell your story better (or wondering if we’d be a good fit to work together), this is where you'll find the good stuff.

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