annual report deep dive
Is your annual report pulling donors in or pushing them away?
You've put real time into this. But when you're that close to the work, it's almost impossible to know:
Is it building confidence or doubt?
Showing your life-changing impact?
Inspiring giving or just getting glossed over?
The Annual Report Deep Dive gives you the answer before it costs you.
Now booking Q2 projects. Availability is limited.
Most nonprofits produce an annual report because they’re supposed to.
Very few step back and ask whether it’s actually strengthening supporter confidence or weakening it. Without an experienced visual storytelling lens or even fresh eyes on the work, it’s easy to:
→ Miss structural gaps
→ Keeping doing the same things that don't work year after year
→ Invest in changes that don’t address the real issue
→ Tweak design when the strategy needs clarity
You end up with something that feels “fine.”
”Fine” rarely builds conviction. And conviction is what drives sustained giving, advocacy, and referrals.
How the Deep Dive works
Then, we step away and conduct a structured review using our BELIEF by Design™ framework. This is an independent evaluation of how your report is performing (in its format, its design, and the way donors experience it.)
Within a couple of days, we meet again for a focused 60-minute walkthrough. We'll present the findings, explain where belief and trust is building (and where it’s leaking), and answer your questions in real time.
Afterward, you receive a recap deck outlining your Action Plan.
What you’ll walk away with:
What happens after the Annual Deep Dive
You’ll leave with clear takeaways and a priority action list.
From there, you choose how to apply them:
option 1
Implement Internally
Refine your report in-house using the priorities from our session.
option 2
Strengthen with the Annual Report Template Kit
Apply your takeaways inside a ready-to-use layout designed for DIY teams.
option 3
Move into a Full Annual Report Design Intensive
Partner with Acton Circle to execute the strategy and redesign your report.
Investment
$1,500
A focused, two-part, 90-min strategy experience designed to get you off the fence and into action.
Book Your Annual Report Deep Dive
When you’re close to the work, it’s almost impossible to see what supports are actually experiencing. Let us spot the gaps for you and give you a new way to look at your annual report.
Not quite sure if the Deep Dive is the right next step? Book a 15-Minute Fit Check and we’ll figure it out together.
Hi! I’m Olivia Wheeler, Creative Director & Founder of Acton Circle.
For 12+ years, I’ve partnered with nonprofits to design reports that help people not only understand the work but also believe in it.
I’ve seen strong organizations undersell their life-changing impact simply because no one stepped back to assess the story as a whole.
The Annual Report Deep Dive gives you that strategic lens before you commit to anything bigger.
Not quite sure?
Now booking Q2 projects. Availability is limited.
Have questions about the Annual Report Deep Dive? We’ve got answers.
Do we need a draft or recent report?
Yes. The Deep Dive is most valuable when we can review a completed or in-progress annual or impact report.
Do we need to attend both sessions live?
Yes. The Deep Dive is collaborative and designed to create clarity through conversation.
What should we send ahead of time?
Your report (PDF), your goals, your audience, and any specific concerns.
What happens after the Deep Dive?
You’ll receive a recap deck summarizing what’s working, where belief may be leaking, and the key shifts that will strengthen your report. It includes a prioritized action plan so you know exactly what to focus on first.
From there, you can refine internally, use a Template Kit, or move forward with a full Annual Report Design Intensive.
How much time should we expect to commit?
Plan for a 30-minute context call, a 60-minute review walkthrough, and a few minutes to gather materials beforehand. The full process is typically completed within one week.
Why do you start with the Deep Dive?
We start every annual report project with the Deep Dive.
Before we design or recommend a larger investment, we review the whole report to understand what’s working and what needs strengthening.
It helps us make smart decisions instead of just designing for the first time or redesigning on instinct.
From there, some teams implement internally. Others continue into a full Design Intensive. Either way, it’s the right place to begin.
