Here’s a clear, practical guide to year-end reports for NGOs/NPOs that you can use to plan, write, or evaluate your own report. What matters most, what doesn’t, and a comparison chart with 10 real examples and links.
Without fail, this report usually falls to the communications section to collect, revise, submit for approval and publish.
What a Year-End Report Should Do
A year-end report (often called an annual report) is a communication tool you share with donors, board members, grantmakers, volunteers, partners, and sometimes the public. It should:
- Document your mission and impact for the year.
- Show how funds were used with clear financials.
- Tell real stories that make impact tangible.
- Thank supporters and team members.
- Point to future plans and needs.
These elements build trust and help secure support next year. (National Council of Nonprofits)
Formal requirement vs. outreach tool.
Legal reporting (e.g., IRS Form 990 in the U.S.) is required for tax-exempt status and is a public record but it’s not a communications piece for donors. An annual report is optional but very useful. (Bloomerang) In Europe, it is a legal obligation to publish a year-end report if you have been charity or non-taxable status.
What to Include (and Why)
Mission & context. Briefly remind readers who you are and why you exist. (Givebutter)
Highlights. Showcase 3-5 major accomplishments with numbers and short descriptions. (Aplos)
Impact stories. Real quotes or brief cases anchor abstract numbers in human experience. (Bonterra)
Financial summary. Revenues vs. expenses, allocation to programs vs. admin, and a clear explanation of funding use. (Givebutter)
Supporter recognition. Acknowledge major donors, volunteers, partners. (National Council of Nonprofits)
Goals for next year. Show direction and needs. (Givebutter)
Call to action. Invite readers to give, volunteer, or engage next year. (The Commons)
What Is Not Relevant (Usually Obvious)
- Excessive internal detail (e.g., meeting minutes, full board discussion logs).
- Unverified or inflated impact claims (harms credibility).
- Irrelevant narrative tangents that distract from mission.
- Full financial ledgers (summary is fine; detailed audit available on request).
Practical Examples (Chart)
Below is a table of strong NGO/NPO year-end report examples with direct links. These show a mix of PDF, web, and interactive reports used by organizations.
These organizations publish reports that show their work in ways donors understand without excess detail. They also maintain public archives of earlier reports, which helps readers track progress across years.
Links takes you to a full report or report hub.
| Organisation | Year | Format | Notable Strength | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding America | 2024 | Clear visuals and strong data | https://www.feedingamerica.org/about-us/annual-report | |
| Blood Cancer UK | 2024 | Good mission framing with patient stories | https://bloodcancer.org.uk/about-us/annual-report | |
| WWF | 2024 | Web and PDF | Clear financials and project summaries | https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/annual-report |
| Rhode Island Foundation | 2024 | Web | Strong storytelling and image use | https://rifoundation.org/annualreport |
| American Heart Association | 2023–24 | Detailed program data in simple language | https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/annual-report | |
| Girls Who Code | 2024 | Interactive web | Engaging digital format and clean metrics | https://girlswhocode.com/annual-report |
| Save the Children | 2023 | Balanced data and narrative | https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/resource-library/annual-report | |
| National Park Foundation | 2024 | Clear charts and donor recognition | https://www.nationalparks.org/about-foundation/annual-report | |
| Habitat for Humanity | 2024 | Web and PDF | Strong focus on measurable results | https://www.habitat.org/about/annual-reports |
| Atlanta Humane Society | 2024 | Short format with clean program numbers | https://atlantahumane.org/about/annual-report |
Notes:
These links are typical base URLs. Annual report pages are usually under “About Us/Reports/Annual Report” or similar and may require navigating from the homepage.
Sources used to identify these examples include curated lists and reviews of nonprofit annual reports. Specific reports change year to year. (Bloomerang)
Template
Year-End Report Template for NGOs and NPOs
Title Page
Organisation name
Year
Short tagline
Photo that reflects your work
Letter From Leadership
Two or three short paragraphs
State purpose, key achievements, and overall direction
Keep tone factual and forward facing
Mission Statement
One paragraph that states your mission
Describe who you serve and why your work matters
Year Highlights
Use three to five points with data
• Number of people served
• Number of programs delivered
• Key outcomes reached
• Major partnerships
• Important milestones
Impact Story
Short case story, two or three paragraphs
Include one quote from a beneficiary, partner, or field staff
Program Overview
Summaries for each major program
Keep each section to four or five lines
State goals, reach, and specific results
Financial Summary
One page with three elements
• Total income
• Total expenses
• Program vs administration spending
Include a simple pie or bar chart
Donor and Partner Recognition
Thank supporters
List major donors if appropriate
Acknowledge volunteers or key partners
Next Year’s Goals
Short list of clear priorities
State planned activities and growth areas
Call to Action
Invite readers to donate, subscribe, or join an event
Keep the invitation clear and direct
Contact Information
Website
Email
Address
Social channels
Quick Checklist (Before You Publish)
- Clear mission reminder. (National Council of Nonprofits)
- Top 3-5 accomplishments. (Givebutter)
- Impact numbers with charts or infographics. (crowdspring)
- Financial overview that’s easy to understand. (Givebutter)
- Supporter acknowledgement. (National Council of Nonprofits)
- Plans for next year. (The Commons)
A strong annual report balances data with human stories and numbers with narrative.
