Provide Details by Program Provide a numeric summary of the financial highlights by program area. This should be done in a chart format, and can also be explained in narrative form for clarification. One way to organize the chart would be to list the program areas down the left side of the page to create the rows, and list the categories of revenue, expense and net surplus or deficit across the top to create the columns. Include columns for the variances as well. Meaningful ratios can be included in regular reporting for Board review.
Ratios reflect the relationship between two elements of performance.
To the extent appropriate, include service data in your ratios. Tracking the people served to total expense ratio by program may be a useful measure of organizational effectiveness. Prospective donors and funding sources may ask for the fundraising costs to total funds raised ratio, which reflects the cost effectiveness of your fundraising program. Ratios and trend measures can be useful tools for analyzing performance of any organization. For some organizations, the fiscal reality is more meaningful to Board members if it is presented in a broader context.