There’s something reassuring about a good annual report.
You open it expecting figures, graphs, and maybe a few updates, but every so often, you find more than that. You slow down. A phrase lingers. A photograph makes you stop. You feel something.
That’s when a report stops being just a report. It becomes a story.
This year, while reviewing NGO annual reports, we weren’t hunting for big numbers or polished statements. We were looking for thoughtfulness. For care in how things were told. For a balance between accountability and human connection.
Some reports leaned into colour. Others focused on quiet honesty. A few opened with notes that felt handwritten in tone and closed with visuals that stayed with us long after.
These five stood out—not because they shouted—but because they resonated. They took the time to tell us what mattered.
1. WWF-US Annual Report 2023
This annual report feels quietly confident.
Its design relies on soft colours—pastels and pale blues—that match the calm and care of WWF’s mission. Pages alternate between photo and text, making it easy to stay engaged.
The content doesn’t over-explain. Headings do the heavy lifting, and the writing is clean and steady.
While there aren’t many traditional illustrations, icons and neat infographics give structure to stats and financials without getting in the way.
The photography stands out. Every image feels connected to the work—landscapes, wildlife, communities—framed with care.
In terms of length, it’s just right. Enough depth, but not demanding.
And the layout supports all of it. Nothing feels forced. Everything fits where it should.
2. Educate Girls Annual Report 2023–24
There’s a sense of movement in this annual report—like a child learning to read, or a classroom mid-lesson.
The design is playful but smart. Red accents, doodle-style drawings, and curved dotted lines of a paper plane mimic the energy of youth and community life.
The content lands in digestible bits—snippets, pull quotes, little blocks of narrative. Even the heavy parts feel manageable.
Illustrations pop up throughout: books, graduation caps, arrows, little visual cues that guide you forward and make you smile.
The photos are real and warm. Students, educators, families—captured mid-moment, not posed.
The length works well. It’s full, but not crowded. You can read it in one go or dip in and out.
And thanks to a clear layout, you never lose your place. It’s fun but focused.
3. Girls Who Code Annual Report 2023
This report is built for the screen—and it’s a joy to move through.
It’s fully digital: animated, scrollable, and quietly delightful. Organisations like Smile Foundation are exploring similar formats, and it’s easy to see why.
The design uses layers of soft blue. When you scroll, text fades in, charts animate, and you feel pulled along, not rushed.
A standout moment: the CEO’s letter ends with her signature gently drawing itself in. A small gesture, but it sticks with you.
The Our Partners section has its own rhythm. As you scroll, testimonials appear one by one without the page moving—like someone reading them aloud.
Content is broken into short, clean sections. You click into what interests you. There’s no pressure to consume it all at once.
Photos and videos are embedded naturally. They support the story, never compete with it.
It’s a long report, technically—but you wouldn’t know it. Everything is sectioned, intuitive, and easy to explore.
The layout responds to how you read. It guides you quietly and lets you pause when you need to.
4. Water.org Annual Report 2023
Still, simple, and sure of itself, this annual report flows the way you’d expect from Water.org.
The design is clean and soft. Blue tones and white space echo the clarity and calm of water itself.
Its content is efficient. There’s no filler—just clear writing, smart headings, and sections that get to the point.
A few illustrations—mainly maps and pie charts—help summarise global reach and funding. They’re used sparingly but well.
Photos are strong without trying too hard. People are shown working, resting, carrying water—always in motion, always real.
The length is modest, but it doesn’t feel light. You come away with the full picture, no extras needed.
The layout gives everything space. You move through it steadily, without strain.
5. UNDP Annual Report 2023
Big, bright, and full of ambition—this report feels like it’s reaching out to the world.
The design is bold. From a rainbow-covered opening to ombré sections and starlit graphics, it makes you stop and look.
Its content carries weight, but it’s broken up with care. Each global theme—finance, climate, equality—is given room to unfold.
Illustrations and graphics are used throughout: maps, timelines, and bold icons. They bring structure to what could have felt dense.
Photos stretch across countries, projects, and partners. You can see the scale of work—and the care behind it.
It’s a long report, but it doesn’t drag. You can flip through or settle in for a deeper read.
And the layout? It keeps you on track, even when the topics are vast. It’s generous but never chaotic.
Helping Impact Speak for Itself
These five reports didn’t lean on sparkle or jargon. They leaned on honesty.
They gave space to people. To colour. To emotion. And they invited us—not just to learn, but to care.
In a field where trust matters more than polish, they reminded us that a thoughtful story, told well, can go a long way.
At Simit Bhagat Studios, we believe in that too. We work on reports that clarify, connect, and communicate impact with care.
Take a look at the annual report we created for ARMMAN to see how we helped bring their story to life.
Let’s make your next report feel like a story worth reading—and remembering.
