Let’s keep it real—traditional annual reports can feel like a drag.
Bulky PDFs packed with stats and jargon? Not exactly a page-turner.
But what if we could flip the script and make them something exciting, engaging and totally accessible?
Our client Faith in the Valley was in the same boat. They needed to showcase their incredible year’s work but didn’t have a big marketing team or the desire to wrestle with outdated formats.
So, we teamed up and dreamed up a new approach.
Instead of settling for the old-school route, we leveled up their communications with a sleek, engaging one-page “Year In Review” landing page.
Let’s break down what we cooked up for this digital-first approach.
A fresh take
When Faith in the Valley came to us with this project, they thought they’d just do what most nonprofits do: Upload a PDF. But we had other ideas.
What if their annual report could be more than just a summary? What if it could tell a story, spark curiosity, and inspire people to take action?
The result? A stunning, interactive landing page that felt as alive as the movement they’re building.
Here’s what we did:
- Featured campaign videos—because nothing captures the heart of your work better than powerful visuals
- Animated key metrics—it’s a fun, scroll-friendly way to show off the numbers that matter
- Curated impact highlights—these eye-catching graphics brought their achievements to life
- Included shoutouts from community partners—so we could help them celebrate the power of collaboration
- Put the spotlight on the organization’s community leaders—who shared their bold voices and inspiring quotes
- Created an interactive donation button—because keeping the mission alive matters, and we made it easy to give.
Why this approach works
This isn’t just about making an annual report look cooler (although it definitely does that).
A digital-first annual report is a smarter, more intentional way to show off the incredible work your organization is doing.
Engagement that actually happens
You know how it feels when you stumble across something online that grabs your attention and keeps you scrolling? That’s what we’re creating here.
Instead of burying your impact in pages of dense text, a dynamic landing page pulls people in. Videos, animated stats, and a clean layout? It’s like a storytelling festival for your organization.
People don’t just skim—they explore, absorb and actually feel connected to your mission.
Efficiency that respects your time
We get it—nonprofit life is busy. The beauty of this approach is that it’s designed for the long game.
Once the page is built, it becomes your annual report template.
Need to update for next year? Swap in fresh stats, new photos, and updated stories. Done and done.
It’s like having a favorite playlist that you can remix for every occasion.
Shareability for the win
Raise your hand if you’ve ever sent a PDF that’s over 25MB as an email attachment…only to hear crickets. Yeah, same.
A shareable link to a sleek online report changes the game.
It’s way more appealing—and practical.
Drop it in an email, text or DM, and, boom, your supporters have instant access. They can forward it to their networks, post it on social media, or revisit it whenever they need a dose of inspiration.
Accessibility that brings everyone in
In today’s world, accessibility isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a must. A digital-first annual report makes your impact available to everyone, everywhere.
Funders can pull it up on their phones during a meeting. Supporters can share it with a single click. Community members can experience your year of impact without downloading anything or zooming in on tiny text.
Your work becomes part of the digital conversation, making it easier to reach people where they already are.
Want to make it look this good?
If you’re ready to take the leap, check out tools like Ceros.
Their templates are ridiculously good-looking and perfect for nonprofits with a larger budget.
If you’re keeping it lean, Canva or Google Docs can still help you craft something solid.
The key? Focus on storytelling, make it visually appealing, and keep it easy to navigate.
The results are in
So, what happened after Faith in the Valley flipped the script on their annual report? Let’s just say the numbers speak for themselves:
- More eyes on their website: In the quarter after launching their digital “Year in Review” page, website pageviews jumped by over 50%. That’s right—more people were exploring their work, learning about their impact, and getting inspired to support.
- Deeper engagement: It wasn’t just about quantity; the quality of those visits was off the charts. The time visitors spent on their site blew past the industry average. With compelling videos, motion graphics, and powerful storytelling, people were sticking around to soak it all in.
- A top performer: The “Year in Review” page didn’t just make waves; it became a star. It landed in the top five most-visited pages on their website, proving that when you create something worth exploring, people show up—and keep coming back.
- A tool for celebration and education: The digital page turned into more than just a report—it became a powerful tool for celebrating the past year’s wins and educating others about their impact. From staff gatherings to board retreats, it was a key resource mentioned and shared with stakeholders, grassroots leaders, potential partners, and funders. It even made its way into their onboarding video for new board members, showcasing their key moments and accomplishments in a way that invites deeper engagement and collaboration.
We know what you’re thinking at this point. What if I still need to produce a PDF for those supporters who prefer (or should we say require for funding) a printed-out copy?
Sure, you might still need a print version for some folks. But once you’ve nailed the online version, pulling together a PDF is a breeze. You’ll already have the design, the numbers, and the content ready to go.
This isn’t about just looking good. It’s about working smarter and connecting with people in a way that reflects the heart of your mission.
Faith in the Valley showed us how it’s done, and now it’s your turn.
So, who’s ready to ditch the old-school PDFs and create an annual report that’s as dynamic and passionate as the work you do?
Let’s turn this yearly task into an opportunity to connect, inspire and rally our communities around the causes we care about.