In the world of nonprofit fundraising, the basis of a successful campaign is a compelling case for support. It’s more than just an ask for money; it’s a story that breathes life into your organization’s mission. This document covers the people you serve, the issues you address, and the vision you have for making a meaningful impact.
Through the case for support, you inspire donors by aligning their values with your objectives.
What are some key factors in making the case well?
Connect with emotion: When you’re in the process of shaping your organization’s case, the key lies in forging an emotional connection with your potential contributors. So, don’t drown them in statistics, share appropriate stories. Instead of stating the fact, “We served 5,000 homeless youth last year,” make it more alive by sharing the stories of young people who benefit from your programs.
Use real numbers: Be concrete and specific. For instance, say a $500 donation provides hotel rooms for 10 nights for domestic violence survivors. Use active, engaging language that compels donors to participate in your cause. Say” Your support helps provide respite housing for 50 domestic violence survivors for 10 nights” instead of vaguely asking for donations.
Be brief: Keep your case concise, ideally 1-2 pages. Give donors just enough info to spark deeper talks about your programs, outcomes, and needs. For important donors, customize your case to their focus areas before sharing.
If you are looking for inspiration, here are some national and local non-profits that do an excellent job of crafting their cases for support.
- 826 Valencia focuses on the transformative power of creative writing to engage and uplift underserved students. Here’s a link to their latest case for Why We’re Needed.
- Destiny Arts Center showcases the development of life skills through dance and martial arts, using student stories to underscore their impact. See their case here.
- Feeding America has extremely well-developed impact statements that blend storytelling and data, like this one.
Update your cases every few months. Writing new cases for specific needs and programs will support your team in keeping your asks fresh and current. Having a good case also helps get everyone asking for support for your work on the same page.
If you’re interested in support to improve or create your mission-driven case statements, get in touch.
Photo by Marc Kleen on Unsplash
In the world of nonprofit fundraising, the basis of a successful campaign is a compelling case for support. It’s more than just an ask for money; it’s a story that breathes life into your organization’s mission. This document covers the people you serve, the issues you address, and the vision you have for making a meaningful impact.
Through the case for support, you inspire donors by aligning their values with your objectives.
What are some key factors in making the case well?
Connect with emotion: When you’re in the process of shaping your organization’s case, the key lies in forging an emotional connection with your potential contributors. So, don’t drown them in statistics, share appropriate stories. Instead of stating the fact, “We served 5,000 homeless youth last year,” make it more alive by sharing the stories of young people who benefit from your programs.
Use real numbers: Be concrete and specific. For instance, say a $500 donation provides hotel rooms for 10 nights for domestic violence survivors. Use active, engaging language that compels donors to participate in your cause. Say” Your support helps provide respite housing for 50 domestic violence survivors for 10 nights” instead of vaguely asking for donations.
Be brief: Keep your case concise, ideally 1-2 pages. Give donors just enough info to spark deeper talks about your programs, outcomes, and needs. For important donors, customize your case to their focus areas before sharing.
If you are looking for inspiration, here are some national and local non-profits that do an excellent job of crafting their cases for support.
- 826 Valencia focuses on the transformative power of creative writing to engage and uplift underserved students. Here’s a link to their latest case for Why We’re Needed.
- Destiny Arts Center showcases the development of life skills through dance and martial arts, using student stories to underscore their impact. See their case here.
- Feeding America has extremely well-developed impact statements that blend storytelling and data, like this one.
Update your cases every few months. Writing new cases for specific needs and programs will support your team in keeping your asks fresh and current. Having a good case also helps get everyone asking for support for your work on the same page.
If you’re interested in support to improve or create your mission-driven case statements, get in touch.
Photo by Marc Kleen on Unsplash