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.

Annual Report Design

Annual Report Design Cost: What Nonprofits Should Budget (and Why)

How much should an annual report design cost, and is it worth it? Let’s talk about what you actually get from a real service (and what you lose when you refuse to invest).

Annual Report Design

Annual Report Layout: Tips for a Report Donors Will Read

Donors skim in 8 seconds. These annual report layout tips help small nonprofit teams design a report that earns attention and builds donor belief.

Annual Report Design

Annual Report Design Services: What to Expect When You Work with Us

Thinking about hiring out your annual report? Here’s a look at what our annual report design services involve, the process, and the questions every nonprofit asks before saying yes.

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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

Annual Report Design Cost: What Nonprofits Should Budget (and Why)

How much should an annual report design cost, and is it worth it? Let’s talk about what you actually get from a real service (and what you lose when you refuse to invest).

Annual Report Design

Annual Report Design Services: What to Expect When You Work with Us

Thinking about hiring out your annual report? Here’s a look at what our annual report design services involve, the process, and the questions every nonprofit asks before saying yes.

Annual Report Design

Your Annual Report Is a Stewardship Tool. So, Why Isn’t It Working Like One?

Your annual report is a stewardship tool. But making it isn’t enough. Here’s how to put it to work for donor retention all year long.

Annual Report Design

When You Don't Have the Bandwidth (But Design It Yourself Anyway)

You said you don't have the bandwidth. You said you want it to look professional. So why are you still designing it in-house? The real case for hiring a nonprofit designer.

Annual Report Design

Your Annual Report Is Your Best Comms Asset. Here's Why.

Your annual report is the most content-rich thing your org produces all year. Here's how to maximize it.

Annual Report Design

How to Build Your Annual Report Under Imperfect Conditions

Most annual reports aren’t built under ideal conditions. Here’s how you can navigate the process without losing the thread.

Donor Engagement

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

Donor Engagement

Why Donors Only Skim Your Annual Report (And 4 Ways to Make Them Go Deeper)

A report informs. An experience builds belief. Here’s how to make your annual report do the thing that funds the year ahead.

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 Is

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

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

How to Run a Successful Nonprofit: 7 Practical Tips

Most nonprofits do good work. So why do some thrive while others struggle to stay funded? Here are 7 tips for running a successful nonprofit organization.

Branding & Marketing

Why Nonprofits Should Invest in Their Website (Especially for Annual Reporting)

Your annual report drives traffic. Does your website convert it? Here's why nonprofits should invest in their website, and where to start.

Branding & Marketing

How to Make Your Nonprofit Stand Out: 5 Ways to Get More Donors

Put your organization in the front row and learn how to make your nonprofit stand out from the crowd in 2026 with five actionable tips.

Branding & Marketing

Nonprofit Website Accessibility: 6 Simple Steps to Make Your Website More Accessible

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

Branding & Marketing

Nonprofit Content Strategy: Benefits & How to Create One

Your small comms team is doing too much work with not enough time. Here are six steps to create a nonprofit content strategy that’ll help ease the load.

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.

Client Case Studies

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

Client Case Studies

1 Annual Report. 15+ Evergreen Assets. How One Nonprofit's 75th Anniversary Project Keeps Paying Off

Peninsula Family Service was approaching its 75th anniversary, a major milestone. Their annual report became a model for what future reports could achieve.

Client Case Studies

One Report Built an Entire Brand System. Here's What We Built for a Nonprofit Foundation.

See how we turned one design project into the foundation for every design that followed. And how you can do the same.