Annual Reports

Resources for creating your 2024 Annual Report

Annual Reports help tell the Extension impact story. They provide a convenient historical archive of county Extension efforts for the year. Together, they demonstrate the positive impact Extension provides families, businesses, and communities across the state. By reflecting and evaluating a previous year's impact, annual reports provide assistance on forward-looking program planning. Annual reports are a legal requirement of the Extension system.

Attend the upcoming trainings.

OVERVIEW:  Watch the recording of the annual report process overview. 

DATA: Making the Most Out of Your Data: Watch the recording on how to access your end-of-year data.

WRITING: Writing Your Best Report Yet: Watch the recording on how to gather the data to create impactful stories.

DESIGN: Using the Design Template to Maximize Impact: Watch the recording for tips to add pizzazz to the InDesign Template. Need to start at the beginning? Here’s a great video on using the InDesign template.  

Timeline

  • Before September 30: Submit the name of your report point person to Dolan Klein and Matt Wiley via email.  At that time, Matt will provide a private link for each unit to submit their content.
     
  • October 1: Annual Report Toolkit Available @ go.illinois.edu/AnnualReportToolkit
     
  • October: Training
    • October 2: Overview
    • October 9: Writing and editing
    • October 16: Design
    • October 23: Data
       
  • NEW: October 21: The tentative outline of your report and deadline selection is due to Dolan Klein. Deadline options are January 31 for units wanting printed reports by mid-March, or a deadline of March 7 for units wanting printed reports by mid-April. The report outlines MUST be in 4-page increments. 
     
  • January 13: Units may begin submitting reports. Units wanting to submit a report in December before the holiday break should contact Dolan Klein by Dec. 9. 
    • Submit your report details at go.illinois.edu/SubmitReport.
    • Content must be reviewed by county director, regional communications coordinator, and assistant director prior to submission.
    • Place all content (images, text, or design file) in your unique Box file provided by Matt.
       
  • January 21: Final data will be available in the data dashboard from Beth Welbes. Access the dashboard at go.illinois.edu/UnitImpactDash. Some data sets may be available mid-December, but volunteer data is not available until January. 
    • Counties may choose which data points they wish to feature in their report, highlighting the areas they were most successful.
       
  • NEW: January 31: Final deadline for units that want reports printed by mid-March. Units must commit to meeting an earlier deadline, and content must be complete. 
     
  • March 7: Final deadline for remaining units to submit content for unit annual reports.
    • 30-Day Turnaround: It is our goal to have a final draft back to each unit within 30 days of receiving the final content piece. That timing does not begin until the final piece of any missing content is provided and ends with our submission of the draft copy to counties for review.
       
  • June 1: Deadline to submit reimbursement form up to $1,000 for printing cost. Units must use the state printer to be eligible for reimbursement.
    • Units will be billed directly by the printer. The bill will be sent to the address the bulk orders were mailed.
    • Units should pay the bill with a Pcard. Please pay your bill promptly. The wage and soy ink forms are available in the annual report Support Documents folder.
    • Submit your invoice, paid receipt, and account fund number to Dylan Hamilton who will submit it to the Extension Business Office for reimbursement up to $1,000.

Toolkit Resources

The toolkit includes the following resources.