Before you can communicate what you need from a donor, you have to be clear about what you are doing and what you need to move forward. Once you know what you plan to do, what you need to do it and what it will cost, it is time to write your “case for support”.
A case for support is a set of carefully prepared reasons of why your organisation deserves financial support. Its purpose is to captivate the audience and keep people interested. It is meant to demonstrate and inspire confidence and inspire conviction. If it does capture the essence of your work, it will attract support and call your audience to action.
A case for support outlines your NPO’s reason for existence and should include:
- Vision
- Mission
- Objectives
- Programmes
- Staff details
- Location
- Finances – annual budget, funding sources, etc.
- Development plan
- Governance – e.g. who serves on your governing board
- Story or history of your organisation
- How people can help or give
This general document becomes a foundation for your proposals to prospects or to existing donors, and for your pamphlets and other publications. Every time you want to write a proposal or another external communication, you can use the case for support as a guide.
