How to Write a Board Report

A well-written board report can help your nonprofit make smarter decisions. It will ensure that your board members are involved and engaged check it out in the company and assists in securing their financial support for future projects.

It is essential to understand the expectations and level of knowledge of your audience before you create a report for your board that is successful. This will prevent you from explaining things they already know or putting it over their head. It will also give you an idea of the areas of your report could raise questions. Using this knowledge you can determine what information and analysis your board members will want to review in your report.

Use visuals to highlight crucial information points that could be difficult for your board to comprehend. This will allow your board to quickly and effectively uncover information from your report without having to read a large amount of text. In addition to visuals and diagrams, use bullet points or lists that are numbered to break up longer sections of text.

Use your report to highlight your successes but as a way to highlight areas that need further attention or the board’s assistance. By addressing these issues, your board will feel assured that they are utilizing their time in a positive manner and that the direction of the company is on the right path.

It’s also a good idea to include a section that acknowledges board members and staff who have surpassed their expectations. This will encourage your team, and also show them that you appreciate their efforts. Always proofread your report to ensure that it’s free of errors before presenting it on the board. You can use Grammarly or ask someone else to proofread your report to catch any mistakes before presenting it to the board.