Making the Case

This isn't a complete list of everything you need to know about writing a case statement, but these issues seem to be what trips us up most often. We're good at including our mission and our funding needs, but not as good when it comes to making our reader hungry to be part of our solution.

Why write a case statement? It's a wonderful tool for communicating and fundraising, and it can help you recapture the excitement you had before the pressure of "work" overtook the joy of "mission." Taking the time to articulate a "case for support" is one of the best ways to wrap your mind around what it is your nonprofit does — and what about it is marketable to potential donors.

Who knows? You may be the one who benefits most from your case statement.

Pamela Barden is the creative juice and the copywriting machine behind PJBarden Inc., a consulting firm focusing on helping small to midsized nonprofits see big results in fundraising. Pamela also serves on the FundRaising Success Editorial Advisory Board. You can follow Pamela on Twitter @pjbarden.