1. A Compelling Case for Support
Bianca Crocker

2. Why are you here? I’m not sure what a Case for Support is
My charity doesn’t have a Case for Support
We have a Case for Support, but I don’t know if it is complete
Our Case for Support exists but it is not at all inspiring

3. Key Learning Outcomes Understand the importance of a Case for Support
Learn about the different formats
Discover the key components to help you develop your Case for Support
Some key tips on how to make yours compelling and inspiring

4. What is a Case for Support?
A document at the centre of your fundraising plan
A messaging strategy
An explanation as to why people should support you
A story
Paints the picture of your organisation

5. What is a Case for Support?
Case for Support or
Case Statement

6. Why is a Case for Support Important?
The heart of your fundraising program (next to strategy)
Engages with your donors (more intimately)
Motivates potential supporters
Helps people understand how your charity wants to make a difference
Brings consistency to your story
Can be the foundation for a philanthropic grants program

7. What is the right format?
Simple one pager or a more detailed prospectus designed and presented professionally
Internal case
5-10 pages
Used internally to guide other documents / materials
More detail throughout this presentation
External case
Uses various parts of internal case
Used to ‘sell your story’ to prospects
Brochures, annual report, website, fundraising programs

9. Key Components of a Case for Support
Overview
What drives your charity?
Objectives
History
Governance
The Problem  and Your Solution
Your Beneficiaries
Impact  Case study or testimonials
Evaluation
Financial Overview

10. Key Components Overview Brief description of charity
Ensure it is clear and succinct
No more than 100 words if possible
Example from

11. A vision: A better future for young Australians in need.
Key Components
What drives your charity
This is what usually connects people to your cause
Vision
Mission
Values
A vision: A better future for young Australians in need.
A mission: To empower people with disabilities from ethnic backgrounds, their carers and families to fully participant as members of the Victorian community.

12. Key Components Objectives Provides future direction
Details overall purpose
Example from

13. Key Components History Governance Provides credibility
Demonstrates long term vision
Include any key achievements or milestones
Governance
Board members
Senior management
Very brief bio on each – Appendix

14. Key Components Your Solution The Problem
What is the social or environmental issue (or other?)
Use statistics and facts to substantiate
Is it compelling?
Your Solution
What are you doing - programs, services, activities
How do your activities address the issue
Often a smaller Case for Support may be required for each service area or program

15. Key Components Your beneficiaries Who will benefit?
Geographic detail, socio economic, genders, age groups, etc.
Primary and secondary beneficiaries
Example from

16. Key Components Impact What benefits do you anticipate
Outcomes (be both specific and broad)
Testimonials and Case Studies
This is where you can use stories to show your impact
Example from:

17. Key Components

18. Key Components Evaluation Projected budget for your cause
How will you prove what you are doing is working?
What measures are you going to use?
Projected budget for your cause
Forecast budget for your organisation or project
Itemised costs
Forecast income
Example from:

19. Key Components

20. Bringing it all together – Key Tips
Just get started!
First draft = information dump
Edit it second
Have others edit it too
Factual accuracy and missing details
Plan a timeline
Strict deadlines
One month
No more than three months
One person to write
Committee writing is tedious and frustrating

21. Bringing it all together – Key Tips
Be concise and clear
Detail but with clarity and brevity
Don’t say in 500 words what you could have said in 300
Language
Persuasive (present tense, emotive words)
Avoid jargon, acronyms
It’s about outcomes
Emphasise your charity’s social outcomes
More about the results of what you do, then what you actually do that is important (benefits, not features)
Show how your charity makes a difference
Don’t be shy of passion

22. Remember…

23. Questions…

24. Get in touch… @TheFishChick bianca@fishcommunitysolutions.com.au
facebook.com/FishCommunitySolutions
linkedin.com/in/thefishchick

25. Win an Advanced Membership!
1. Visit our website before 5pm tomorrow
2. Register as a Basic Member (it’s free)
3. Two people will win an upgrade to an Advanced Membership currently valued at $149