The Tool Trunk

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

If you’ve noticed your funders asking fewer questions, offering longer grant periods, or giving more unrestricted support, you’re not imagining it. The landscape of philanthropy is shifting. In 2025, trust-based philanthropy is no longer just a buzzword—it’s an evolving movement reshaping the relationship between funders and grantees.

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.

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