Blog Homepage

All Blogs

Branding & Marketing
6
MIN READ

A Fresh Look, A Stronger Mission—The Heart Behind Our Rebrand

Read about Acton Circle’s rebrand journey—from the meaning of our new visual identity to the “why” behind our updated services.
Branding & Marketing
4
MIN READ

How to Make Your Nonprofit Stand Out: 5 Ways to Get Noticed in 2025

Put your organization in the front row and learn how to make your nonprofit stand out from the crowd in 2025—with five actionable tips.
Visual Storytelling
4
MIN READ

How to Find Inclusive Imagery that Strengthens Trust and Helps Your Brand Stand Out

Embrace your communities with inclusive imagery that shows genuine representation. Not sure how? Start with this basic guide.
Branding & Marketing
4
MIN READ

Graphic Designer For Hire? 3 Unexpected Reasons Your Nonprofit Should Work with a Pro

Seeking a graphic designer for hire? Discover 3 unexpected reasons your nonprofit needs professional design. From psychology-driven visuals to innovative trends.
Donor Engagement
4
MIN READ

How to Encourage Generous Donors All Year (Not Just at the Holidays)

Build a loyal community of generous donors with proven year-round engagement tips. Our simple strategies help you connect with supporters each month.
Branding & Marketing
4
MIN READ

Follow These Strategic Planning Steps for Your Nonprofit or Foundation in 2025

Discover strategic planning steps to guide your nonprofit through 2025. Align your mission, set clear goals, and create meaningful impact with practical, step-by-step guidance.
Website Design
5
MIN READ

9 Unexpected Things That Are Hurting Your Nonprofit’s Donor Retention

Discover the 9 common mistakes that could be damaging your nonprofit's donor retention rates. Learn actionable strategies to keep your donors engaged and giving for the long-term.
Branding & Marketing
4
MIN READ

Why Your Foundation Needs to Consider Outsourcing Graphic Design (And Why That's Okay!)

Discover why outsourcing graphic design can transform your foundation's impact. Learn the benefits, cost savings, and how to choose the right design partner.
Donor Engagement
5
MIN READ

Emotional Engagement vs Emotional Manipulation

Learn how to create ethical emotional engagement for your nonprofit marketing. Discover the difference between authentic donor connections and manipulation.
Donor Engagement
4
MIN READ

How to Make the Most of Your Nonprofit Donation Request: The Importance of Looking Like the Expert in Your Field

Make your nonprofit donation request more effective by establishing expert status. Learn how professional branding and visual identity help build donor trust and increase giving.
Client Case Studies
1
MIN READ

Designing Impactful Materials for 10,000 Degrees' Mission

Discover how we partnered with 10,000 Degrees to create a cohesive set of materials, including an impact report, strategic plan, donor booklet, and microsites designed to inspire donors and showcase the organization's mission of supporting students in higher education. Our dynamic, student-focused designs bring their story to life across print and digital platforms.
Client Case Studies
2
MIN READ

Empowering Women and Communities: Planet Women’s Annual Report Design

Explore how we crafted Planet Women’s impactful annual report, blending storytelling, powerful visuals, and an organic design to highlight their mission of empowering women and supporting environmental advocacy.
Donor Engagement
5
MIN READ

How to Thank Donors: Create an Awesome Donor Thank You Card

Learn how to create donor thank you card that strengthen relationships and transform one-time gifts into lasting nonprofit partnerships.
Branding & Marketing
4
MIN READ

3 Ways Branding for Nonprofits Impacts Donors

Learn how strong branding for nonprofits can build trust, create emotional connections, and foster donor loyalty.
Website Design
6
MIN READ

What use is great design if it’s not accessible, inclusive, and welcoming?

Explore ways to make your nonprofit's message reach everyone through inclusive design that respects diverse abilities, cultures, and perspectives.
Donor Engagement
5
MIN READ

Year-end Giving Campaigns – What Really Engages Donors and Creates Urgency?

Expand your holiday fundraising with a powerful year-end giving campaign. Inspire donors, showcase your impact, and raise more for your cause when it matters most.
Annual Report Design
8
MIN READ

12 Interactive Digital Annual Report Examples for Nonprofits

Discover 12 inspiring digital annual report design examples that not only engage audiences but also showcase impact with style and creativity.
Client Case Studies
2
MIN READ

Interactive Impact Microsites for Tides Foundation

We created engaging multimedia microsites for Tides to showcase how they empower BIPOC leaders driving change in democracy, climate, and reproductive justice.
Annual Report Design
8
MIN READ

Nonprofit Annual Report 101: More Than Just Numbers

Create a compelling nonprofit annual report that engages donors. Learn design, storytelling, and best practices to showcase your impact effectively.
Branding & Marketing
4
MIN READ

Why Your Nonprofit Marketing Plan Isn’t Cohesive or Impactful, And What to Do Instead

Discover why your nonprofit marketing plan isn't delivering results. Learn 4 common problems holding you back and expert tips to improve engagement, donations, and impact.
Visual Storytelling
4
MIN READ

How to Create Visuals that Improve Donor Engagement and Drive Impact

Discover how to boost donor engagement with effective visuals. Learn step-by-step strategies to create impactful graphics that align with your nonprofit's mission and drive results.
Visual Storytelling
3
MIN READ

3 Ways Good Design and Communication Work Together

Explore how design and communication work together to create clear, engaging messages and transform ideas into effective visual stories.
Annual Report Design
4
MIN READ

The Acton Circle Nonprofit Annual Report Process

Today we’re taking you behind the scenes to see the exact process we go through at Acton Circle when designing and preparing nonprofit annual reports for our clients.
Annual Report Design
12
MIN READ

Nonprofit Annual Report Checklist: 17 Things to Include This Year

Getting ready to prepare an annual report? Download our comprehensive guide and discover the must-have ingredients for a report that drives donations.
Branding & Marketing
4
MIN READ

A Message From Our Founder: A Look Back at 2023 and Big Moves for 2024

2023 was a solid year at Acton Circle—filled with major wins, challenging projects, and lessons learned. Check out this blog for our 2023 highlights and what we have in store for 2024!
Annual Report Design
12
MIN READ

8 Best Nonprofit Impact Report Examples: A Guide to Creating a Standout Annual Report

Planning your nonprofit annual report? Read our guide to the best annual report examples and create a better report for your organization this year.
Branding & Marketing
5
MIN READ

Crafting a Nonprofit Brand Identity that Connects with Millennials and Gen Z

Learn how to create a nonprofit brand that connects with young donors through bold visuals, real stories, and clear impact metrics delivered in a mobile-friendly way.
Annual Report Design
5
MIN READ

The Power of Infographic Design in Annual Reports

Feeling the data overload? Find out how infographics can turn complex numbers into engaging, digestible stories. Let's make your next annual report a page-turner, shall we?
Branding & Marketing
6
MIN READ

What’s the Point of Rebranding? A Strategic Guide to Brand Transformation

Are you ready for a brand makeover? Dive into our guide to understand what happens during a rebranding process. Get ready for a fresh new look!
Annual Report Design
4
MIN READ

How to Showcase Your Donors in Your Annual Report

Acknowledge your donors' contributions and take a community-driven approach by showcasing them in your nonprofit annual report.
Annual Report Design
4
MIN READ

What is a Nonprofit Annual Impact Report?

Learn how an annual impact report showcases your nonprofit's achievements and thanks supporters while inspiring action for your cause.
Donor Engagement
3
MIN READ

Nonprofit Impact Measurement: Identifying the Metrics to Track

Define your nonprofit impact through data tracking and how to use your data to craft compelling visual stories and shine a light on your organization’s mission.
Website Design
4
MIN READ

How to Improve Donor Engagement on Your Website

Looking for ways to improve donor engagement on your website? Here’s how you can improve your connection with donors, attract and retain new supporters, and engage with your donors authentically and transparently.
Annual Report Design
3
MIN READ

3 Annual Report Examples for Educational Equity Nonprofits

Discover how three educational equity nonprofit organizations made the biggest impact with their annual report after partnering with Acton Circle—and how your nonprofit can do the same.
Branding & Marketing
3
MIN READ

Why Nonprofits Should Invest in Their Website

With the rise of digital marketing and the growth of social media, a website is a key aspect of your nonprofit organization—it’s the digital heart and home of your mission.
Annual Report Design
3
MIN READ

3 Reasons Why Your Nonprofit Needs an Interactive Annual Report

Discover how opting for an interactive annual report can deliver a unique and engaging design that allows readers to navigate with ease and explore with delight.
Donor Engagement
3
MIN READ

How to Simplify Your Nonprofit's Social Impact Data to Share With Your Community

Discover how to simplify your nonprofit's data and make your impact more accessible to your community using these two things.
Branding & Marketing
6
MIN READ

The Power of Giving: Making an Effective Case for Support for Nonprofits

Discover how to create a powerful nonprofit case for support that moves donors to action through authentic storytelling and smart design strategies.
Donor Engagement
3
MIN READ

How Can Nonprofits Use Data? 3 Strategies to Improve Donor Engagement

Looking for better ways to use impact and donor data in your nonprofit? Here are three strategies for using data to improve donor engagement.
Website Design
3
MIN READ

Nonprofit Website Accessibility: 4 Simple Steps to Make Your Website More Accessible

Ready to make your website more accessible for all donors and community members? Here are four ways to improve your nonprofit website accessibility.
Annual Report Design
3
MIN READ

Interactive vs. Traditional Annual Report: Choosing the Best Way to Tell Your Nonprofit’s Story

Debating on whether an interactive or traditional annual report is best for your nonprofit? Here's how to choose the best report style to tell your nonprofit's story.

Subscribe to The Bold Print

Where mission-driven design elevates presence, and meaningful work leaves a lasting impact. Biweekly insights on design strategy, visual storytelling, and brand stewardship—delivered with intention.

guide

The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Nonprofit Annual Reports

Ready to create annual reports that actually move donors to action? Our comprehensive guide provides strategic frameworks and proven design principles that transform standard reports into powerful storytelling tools.

Learn how to showcase your impact in ways that inspire deeper engagement and meaningful support.

download guide
image book

Acton Circle is a strategic design studio dedicated to visual storytelling for purpose-driven organizations. We partner with foundations, tech ventures, higher education institutions, and professional services firms to transform missions into meaningful impact.

LinkedInPinterestInstagram

Subscribe to The Bold Print

Where mission-driven design elevates presence, and meaningful work leaves a lasting impact. Biweekly insights on design strategy, visual storytelling, and brand stewardship—delivered with intention.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Studio

About Our WorkContact

Learn

Blog
Guide to Crafting Annual Reports

Annual Report Services

Annual Report
Design IntensiveReport Content RepurposingMicrosite Creation

Connect with us

hello@actoncircle.co

© 2025 Acton Circle | Rooted in the Bay Area ✌🏾 Partnering with purpose-driven teams nationwide

 Terms of Services Privacy Policy