13 Ways to Strengthen Your Case for Support

Sadly, many nonprofits do not have an active operational or strategic plan in place that informs, engages and stimulates prospects to give. Effective planning using these tools by an array of stakeholders — led by the CEO, chief development officer, board leadership, staff engagement, high-level donors and others — helps create a vibrant case for support. Your audience needs to know you and why your organization is worthy of time, talent and treasure. 

What Is a Case for Support?

A quality case for support provides a window to the mission of the organization, its purpose and case for deserving financial support. You want donors to respect the past, understand the present and be effective in the future through their philanthropy. The case points out community needs through external validation, as well as what makes your nonprofit relevant and worthy. Donors have thousands of philanthropic choices. Why is yours special? 

In the book, “Developing Your Case for Support,” by Timothy Seiler, Ph.D. and CFRE, the author noted that a case statement resource file consists primarily of information about these organizational components: 

• Mission statement. Philosophical statement of the human/social needs it meets. 
• Goals. Various, but to help the underserved community meet basic needs. 
• Objectives. Specific, measurable, achievable, purposeful and time-determined.
• Programs and services. Fact sheets of impact, numbers, services and programs.
• Finances. A comprehensive revenue and expense graph.
• Governance. Performance of the board and its commitment as a board member to the organization (past/present) to enhance community.
• Staffing. Key information on staff leaders and a staff grid chart of service areas.
• Service delivery. A map and information about geographical delivery of service areas.
• Planning and evaluation. Fundraising materials used by print, social and other means.
• History. Provide a one-page organizational history. 

A case for support is “the backbone of a nonprofit’s outreach efforts, “that covers the mission, impact and vision of the organization, according to Instrumentl. A strong case for support has clear objectives, impact stories, financial transparency, strong visuals, supporting testimony and a call to action.

It is important to build a positive relationship with donors and let them know exactly what their gift will accomplish. Define the purpose of the case, target various audiences with information and solicitation approaches, and engage key stakeholders with requests for advice and guidance. Continually ask for suggestions from internal and external stakeholders. 

Many potential donors are excited about learning. They want to understand what your organization is providing and how their involvement makes a difference. This is not a transaction scenario, but a long-term relationship of transformation. Your case statement must compel and describe how the donor will create this transformational change. The case must incorporate a call to action that pushes donors through your organization’s engagement pipeline. 

Ways to Strengthen Your Case for Support 

The case for support is critical to the success of a nonprofit. Make sure you have a case with input from both internal and external teams that can help with finance, property, programs, operations and other vital internal keys. On the external side, the team needs to understand marketing, fundraising, advertising and other elements that will stimulate future operational success. 

Once the case statement is approved for a specific time period, do not make major changes. I have seen this happen with very negative and confusing results. If you adjust the focus of the case midstream, this will place additional stress on the staff, board and administration, as well as weaken your solicitation strategies.

Here are 13 tips for your next case for support.

1. Establish an existing strategic plan that includes an operational plan that is constantly modified. 
2. Establish a sound strategic plan that highlights the nonprofit, and the deserving community role it plays to solve community problems. 
3. Evaluate best-of-class nonprofits that do similar work to yours. Take a road trip and improve your strategic plan.
4. Have stakeholders internally help develop a one-, three-, five- and 10-year strategic plan. Have external stakeholders review, challenge and enhance the plan.
5. Consider hiring or seeking consulting help with strategic planning expertise.
6. Talk to your most loyal donors. Show them your plan and ask for advice.
7. Engage with your key community leaders and build relationships of trust with them. 
8. Use data and evidence to state your request.
9. Tell a story and modify the story with each success through greater funds used.
10. Make a clear call to some time of action that makes the case a living document.
11. Remember inflation and timing when announcing program goals. That could affect your original goal. 
12. Adjust to the economic environment as it reflects financial costs associated with priorities. 
13. If the case has been in service for some time, evaluate results and search for new possibilities and opportunities. 

I have been involved in creating a number of case statements through the years. I was always honored to participate in the development of new concepts. I love research and marketing, and these attributes can serve you well. 

With respect to cases for support, learn from your mistakes and always ask yourself, when reading a case for support, would you as a non,-donor, be compelled to give and why? The case for support is the most important tool in your toolbox. Be proud of it and share it differently with various market segments. It can become a wonderful advertising piece for your nonprofit. Never take the impact of your case statement for granted. 

The preceding post was provided by an individual unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of NonProfit PRO.