Your case for support is the heart and soul of your fundraising.
It is your story, your rationale and your sales pitch - and the act of putting one
together helps you distil and communicate why your plans are so vital. Developing a clear and concise case for support will help you be ready to make the most of any fundraising opportunity that comes your way, and help you to create your own opportunities.
You can write your case for support once you have drafted your fundraising strategy, or as a separate exercise. It DOES NOT need to be a long, complex document. It DOES need to be concise and clear. As the name suggests this is a document that explains clearly and powerfully why a donor should give to your organisation or project.
It should always at the very least include:
🟥 An overview of the project and activity you are proposing.
🟧 What you are aiming to achieve.
🟨 Who it will help.
🟩 Why it is important/the impact.
🟦 The cost of the project.
🟪 The difference the donor’s support will make.
Your case for support acts as a great resource for all your fundraising, but it is still a good idea to adapt the document depending on which donor you are applying to, how much the project costs and what you need funding for:
➡️ If you are asking a local company to donate towards a young woman attending a WAGGGS conference, a one-page document will work well.
➡️ If you are asking a charitable foundation for a large donation towards a new building, then a longer, more detailed document will be required.
With both it is still important to be concise and clear. Once a ‘Case for Support’ is complete it can then be used as the basis for all communications with potential donors, for example:
🟥 To develop proposals for funders
🟧 To prepare for a meeting with a major donor
🟨 In communications such as newsletters, brochures or social media
🟩 For speeches or presentations