Creates annual impact reports with metric visualization, beneficiary stories, and donor recognition sections.
Use this skill when you need to:
DO NOT use this skill for financial audits, grant reports, or internal performance reviews. This is for stakeholder-facing impact reports that tell the story of your organization's work.
AN IMPACT REPORT IS A THANK-YOU LETTER DISGUISED AS DATA — ITS PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO SHOW DONORS AND SUPPORTERS THAT THEIR INVESTMENT PRODUCED REAL, MEASURABLE CHANGE IN REAL PEOPLE'S LIVES.
| Input |
|---|
| What to Ask |
|---|
| Default |
|---|
| Reporting period | "What time period does this cover?" | Previous fiscal year |
| Key metrics | "What are your top 5-10 impact numbers?" | No default — must be provided |
| Beneficiary stories | "Can you share 2-3 stories of people your organization helped?" | No default — must be provided |
| Financial summary | "Revenue, expenses, and program allocation breakdown?" | No default — must be provided |
| Audience | "Who will read this? (donors, board, public, all)" | Donors and general public |
| Format | "Digital PDF, web page, or printed booklet?" | Digital PDF |
GATE: Confirm the brief and receive all data before proceeding.
1. Letter from Leadership (1 page)
2. Year at a Glance — headline metrics in visual format (1 page)
3. Mission Reminder (half page)
4. Program Highlights — each program with metrics and story (2-4 pages)
5. Beneficiary Spotlight — 2-3 detailed stories (1-2 pages)
6. Financial Transparency — revenue, expenses, pie chart (1 page)
7. Donor Recognition — thank-you list by giving level (1 page)
8. Looking Ahead — next year's goals (half page)
9. How to Help — donate, volunteer, share (half page)
Target length: 8-12 pages for annual, 4-6 for quarterly.
Choose metrics that tell a story:
## Impact Metrics (select 5-8)
- People served: [Number]
- Programs delivered: [Number]
- Geographic reach: [Communities, states, countries]
- Success rate: [% achieving outcome]
- Volunteer hours: [Number]
- Funds raised: [Amount]
- Cost per outcome: [$X per person served]
- Year-over-year growth: [% change]
GATE: Present the structure and metric selection for approval.
Leadership Letter
Year at a Glance
Program Highlights For each program:
## [Program Name]
**Goal:** [What this program set out to accomplish]
**Results:** [Key metrics]
**Story:** [One beneficiary's experience in 100-150 words]
**Quote:** "[Direct quote from a beneficiary or staff member]"
Financial Transparency
## Financial Summary
**Total Revenue:** $[X]
- Individual donations: $[X] ([%])
- Grants: $[X] ([%])
- Events: $[X] ([%])
- Other: $[X] ([%])
**Total Expenses:** $[X]
- Programs: $[X] ([%]) ← this should be 75%+
- Administration: $[X] ([%])
- Fundraising: $[X] ([%])
Donor Recognition
## Visual Design Guidelines
- Use the organization's brand colors and fonts
- Large, bold numbers for key metrics
- High-quality photos of real beneficiaries (with permission)
- White space — do not overcrowd pages
- Consistent layout across program sections
- Pull quotes in large font for scanability
- [ ] Leadership letter is personal and under one page
- [ ] All metrics are accurate and source-verified
- [ ] Beneficiary stories have permission to be shared
- [ ] Financial data matches audited statements
- [ ] Donor names are spelled correctly
- [ ] CTA for continued support is clear
- [ ] Report is under 12 pages
- [ ] PDF is under 10MB for easy sharing
## Share the Report
- Email to all donors with personalized subject line
- Post on website with downloadable PDF
- Share key metrics as social media graphics
- Present highlights at board meeting
- Include in grant applications as supporting documentation
- Send printed copies to major donors ($1,000+)
Year at a Glance:
- 500 students served
- 12 programs across 4 schools
- 92% graduation rate (vs. 76% district average)
- 200 volunteer tutors
- $350,000 raised
Beneficiary story: "When Jaylen joined our after-school program in September, he was reading two grade levels behind..."
Year at a Glance:
- 3,200 patients served
- 15,000 clinic visits
- $2.1M in free healthcare provided
- 45 volunteer medical professionals
- 3 new community partnerships
Financial: 82% of funds went directly to programs