Once you hammer out your case, you can use it to create a huge variety of fundraising collateral. Of course, since you’re going to be using it so widely, you’ll want to make sure it’s good. You can send a fully designed and formatted pamphlet to potential donors, use it as a roadmap for a one-on-one convo, or treat it as a library of facts and figures when needed. Without input from others, you risk overlooking valuable insights that could make your case more compelling.
Moreover, a strong case for support can serve as a foundational element in building long-term partnerships with donors. It provides an opportunity to articulate the organization’s values and goals while inviting funders to become part of a larger mission. In addition to a strong mission statement, setting measurable goals is essential for demonstrating accountability and progress.
- In donor meetings, for example, your case can serve as a guide, helping you articulate your mission and impact in a personal, conversational way.
- If you can’t engage your audiences through storytelling, whatever you’re trying to accomplish will wither and die.
- In the realm of non-profit organizations, a well-crafted case for support serves as a vital tool for securing funding and fostering relationships with potential donors.
- Furthermore, they show alignment with government initiatives.
- If you don’t, hire a graphic designer or photographer to come fill out your stable.
How to Create a Powerful Case for Support: The Must-Have Fundraising Publication for Every Nonprofit (Recording)
Develop a strongly articulated, universally accepted relevant case for support that resonates with potential supporters. Within this case for support, tell your most compelling story or stories. With an easy-to-use guide on how to talk about your objectives, needs, goals, and plans, your team will be able to tackle any fundraising challenge with ease. If you need to draft a case of support of your own, start by working through the “Essential Elements” explained above and following our recommended steps. You’ll be engaging your prospects, funders, and corporate partners with compelling fundraising pitches in no time. We love how mission-centric this example is—every section clearly connects back to the organization’s mission of strengthening communities through supporting youth and fostering healthy living.
Select a Writer – It is important that the organization select one person to “own” the writing process for the case statement. Don’t have different people work on different parts, it almost never works in producing a coherent case for support. Select one person (generally from the staff or an outside consultant) to write the case statement. The case statement you write will form the basis for all of your non-profit communications.
Writing The Statement
These are the distinctive features or advantages that set your organization apart from others in the same field. Begin by conducting a thorough analysis of your organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis). At the Heller Fundraising Group, we have a secret sauce for crafting stories that motivate and inspire and feel authentic to each individual client.
Why do you need a case statement?
Join thousands of fundraisers for our fun and informative newsletter. You’ll receive fundraising insights, links to our latest blog and everything you need to make you a champion. Meet the talented team of bloggers at Heller Fundraising Group! Our team is made up of passionate individuals who are dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs and inspires. The laborer lingered for a few moments as he admired the empty sky he had filled with visions of his beautiful cathedral, then picked up his ax and went back to heres a sample case for support for your non work. The traveler, so moved by the idea of being part of something eternal, put down his sack, picked up an ax, and without a word, began the laborious work of splitting rocks.
- It forms the basis for all of your donor communications and asks, and provides a valuable resource to everyone who is soliciting donations on your behalf.
- Engaging and persuasive language can evoke emotions and inspire action.
- It’s an essential part of running fundraising campaigns and effectively communicating your mission.
- Ideally, a case for support should have input from all over your organization, but certainly from the key leadership.
- Your case for support is not a “kitchen sink” document… you don’t need to include every little thing in it, just what matters for compelling a donor to get more involved.
Tips for Writing an Effective Case for Support
Teach them the best practices for using it and make sure you’re monitoring the effectiveness. The best way you can accomplish this is by making changes in real time on a shared drive of your choice. You can also share specific accesses as per your team members’ roles. This will be highly beneficial when your fundraising team sets up a fundraising campaign.
Your case for support will never be a public-facing document. But at the end of the day, its goal is to create materials you can easily repurpose. This can include stats and figures from past impact reports for easy compiling.
Use active voice and strong verbs to convey urgency and importance. By demonstrating gratitude, NGOs can create a sense of belonging among donors. This can be achieved through personalized gestures such as thank-you letters, public acknowledgments in newsletters or on social media, or exclusive invitations to special events. Additionally, share significant milestones and achievements. Furthermore, connect on professional networks like LinkedIn.
What needs to be included in a case statement?
Many organizations also seek the direct input of major donors when crafting their cases. Plus, you’ll usually need to secure leadership buy-in on the finalized case for support. Nonprofit founders, Executive Directors, Development Directors, fundraising staff, board members and volunteers will all benefit from this four week class. By combining quantitative data with qualitative stories, you create a compelling argument that resonates with funders on both an emotional and intellectual level.