A good update is short, specific and visual. Tell your funder what’s happened, show it with a photo or video, and let the people involved speak for themselves. You don’t have to write a report.
When to post
You post at least two updates on every funded project:
| Update | When | What to cover |
|---|---|---|
| First update | When your funding arrives | Thank your funder, say when you’ll start and what your plan is. |
| Second update | Partway through delivery | How the project is going, and any early impact you’re seeing. |
You can post more than two. Many projects post at milestones, such as a first session, an opening day or a finished build.
What to include
- Progress. What you’ve done since your last update. Numbers work well: “We’ve run six sessions with 42 young people so far.”
- Photos and video. Show the project in action. A photo of a planted bed or a full room tells your funder more than a paragraph.
- The people who benefit. A quote from a participant, and a photo if they’re happy to be in one, shows the difference your project makes.
- Your team. Funders like meeting the people behind the projects they fund. Share a photo of your staff or volunteers at work.
- Challenges. Be honest about what’s been hard and how you’re handling it. Funders trust organisations that tell them how things really are.
Always ask permission before you photograph or film anyone.
Examples from funded projects
For inspiration, take a look at these updates:
Why updates are worth the effort
- Your funder is notified every time you post, so they see your progress first-hand.
- Funders are more likely to fund you again if you’ve kept them in the loop.
- Your updates stay on your project page, building a track record that future funders can see.
- Each update is ready to share on social media with the Share button.
Want to say something privately?
Updates are public. To ask your funder a question or share something that isn’t for your project page, send them a message instead. Messaging your funder
Questions?
Our team is around Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Email: hello@actionfunder.org
- Phone: 020 3805 2835