The Tool Trunk

When it comes to annual reports, donor updates, and especially grant applications, many nonprofits find themselves caught in a numbers trap.

According to Nonprofit Tech for Good’s 2025 Online Fundraising Statistics, monthly giving now accounts for 31% of all online revenue for nonprofits. For organizations that offer it, monthly donations make up 46% of their online income—nearly half.

Even the best teams get stretched too thin. And when it comes to developing an annual report—a project that requires focus, strategy, and storytelling—that stretch starts to show. If your annual report always feels like it’s running behind (or rushed at the end), you’re not alone. Here's why it happens—and what you can do differently this year.

By blending storytelling with data, nonprofits can turn their annual reports into powerful tools

This isn’t a failure of good intention—it’s a challenge of capacity.

When it comes to nonprofit annual reports, financials are often the most misunderstood section—by both readers and the people assembling them. At Elephant Creative Co., we’ve helped dozens of nonprofits present their financial story clearly, confidently, and beautifully. Here's what we've learned about what to include, how to present it, and why unaudited financials are perfectly okay in an annual report.

Turn your annual report into a powerful tool for fundraising, engagement, and brand clarity.

In 2025, nonprofit organizations across the United States are confronting unprecedented challenges due to sweeping federal funding cuts...

(And What To Focus On Instead)` Let's be honest… Most people won’t read your entire annual report. We know—after months of writing,...

If your nonprofit team feels like you’re reinventing the wheel every time a campaign, annual report, event, or post goes out… you’re not...

We love Canva – for the right tasks. When it comes to your annual report, Canva falls short. Here is why that free design app may be costing you more than you know.