Good impact reporting is an essential part of impact measurement.

It allows you to
communicate your value and share good practice with others, while discussing the
results of your work to promote a culture of learning and transparency.

Impact reporting often takes the form of an impact report or annual report. The best
reports present information honestly, explaining what worked well, what didn’t work
quite so well and setting out how the organisation is trying to improve.

Many charities struggle to know what information to include and how best to present
their findings. Here we offer advice on how to plan, develop, and review your impact
report.

How to develop an impact report?

1. Plan your report

If you decide an impact report is the most effective way to share your findings, the first
step is to develop a clear structure. Most evaluation reports will include the following
sections:

● Executive summary: A synopsis of your key findings and recommendations.

● Introduction: A description of your evaluation, the purpose behind it, and the methods
you used.

● Findings and discussion: Information on what you delivered, how you delivered it, and
what outcomes occurred.

● Recommendations: Actions that need to be taken to respond to the evaluation

findings.

Make sure your report addresses the following questions:

● Need: What is the problem that you, as a charity, are trying to address?

● Activities: What are you doing to try and address it?

● Outcomes: What are the results of these activities?

● Evidence: How do you know you’ve made a difference?

● Learning: How will you change your work for the better?

It may be useful to read other impact reports to see what works well and what does not.