# Two different approaches to a charity's annual report

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/03/07/two-different-approaches-charity039s-annual-report/
- Published: 2012-03-07T10:18:28+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/nbstudio_bhf_annualreport_2011_small_cover.
jpeg)

Annual reports, that trusty mainstay of so many applications to and reports back
to funders, used to come in one standard format – printed A4, and probably Foolscap
before that.

But there is of course no need to stick to that format, for reasons of cost, and
more importantly, to increase the likelihood that the intended audience is actually
going to read or digest some of its content. So, here are two variations on the 
annual report.

## Pocket sized annual review

[ NB Studio](http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/projects/bhf-annual-review-2011) have shrunk
the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Annual Report from an already compact A5 document
to one that fits in a travel card wallet. The agency produced the 10cm by 6cm 50-
page booklet after being tasked to deliver something that was “shorter and smaller
but [which would] tell big stories about the charity’s work and impact”. It features
stories of individuals who have benefited from BHF’s work.

## Advertisement

![BHF Annual Report - Rose and Lindsay Thompson's story](https://www.fundraising.
co.uk/files/u11/nbstudio_bhf_annualreport_2011_small_inside.jpeg)

The agency even managed to squeeze in the annual review from the Chief Executive
and details on where the money goes in a fold-out section.

![Annual review foldout](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/u11/nbstudio_bhf_annualreport_2011_small_foldout_0.
jpeg)

The [report is also available online](http://www.bhf.org.uk/about-us/our-annual-review/annual-review-2011.aspx),
with a different look to the wallet-size report, but which sticks to the concept
of telling stories of individuals based all around the country.

## Video of annual report stories

The Football Foundation has chosen to create a video to bring to life some of the
stories featured in its 2011 annual report, calling it [Annual Report +.](http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/media-centre/publications/annual-review)
The 2 min 23 sec video supplements the printed Annual Report. The Chief Executive
Paul Thorogood introduces and narrates the video.

The Annual Report is available as a [PDF](http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=27934)
and in an [interactive version](http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/digitalpublications/FF%20Annual%20Review%202011),
enabling the reader to flick through each page on-screen.

![Football Foundation Annual Report +](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/u11/football_foundation_annualreport_plus.
jpg)

 

## Other creative annual reports?

There are plenty of other charities who have used creative ways to present their
annual reports and accounts, or their impact statements. Do share good examples 
you know of in the comments below.

 * **[Inspiration for fundraisers in Geneva](https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/04/17/inspiration-fundraisers-geneva/)**(
   17 April 2012)
 * **[Time to be bold and to ask your supporters to Give More](https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/05/25/time-be-bold-and-ask-your-supporters-give-more/)**(
   25 May 2012)
 * **[The magic ingredients](https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/06/13/magic-ingredients/)**(
   13 June 2012)
