Refresher: What is a Case for Support?
For those unfamiliar: Think of it as your nonprofit’s north star for fundraising. A Case for Support is is a short document—usually 1 to 5 pages—that makes a compelling, emotional, and evidence-based pitch for why your organization matters and why now is the time to support it. It shares where you are now, where you’re headed, and what it’s going to take to get there. It gives you and your team the messaging needed to inspire donors.
Case for Support shouldn't just be reserved for capital campaigns or big projects. You can create a Case for Support when…
- You’re launching a brand-new organization and need to articulate the need
- You’re growing and want to show how your current programs are succeeding and where support is still needed
- You’re fundraising for a specific initiative, program, or campaign
At its core, a Case for Support isn’t just about what you do—it’s about why it matters. It combines storytelling, data, and vision to give donors the confidence (and the heartstrings tug) to say, “I’m in.”
1: Start With a Strong Problem Statement
Here’s something I’ve learned in my own nonprofit journey:
Even if a problem feels glaringly obvious to you—it probably isn’t to someone else.
I remember this one time I attended a community meeting about affordable housing, and the presenters just kept talking about the problem with acronyms and jargon. I cared about housing, but I couldn’t follow their line of thinking at all. I was lost!
So always speak as if you’re explaining it to a stranger with no background on the issue. Trust me.
When it comes to your Case for Support, you do this in your Problem Statement. It’s the first and arguably most important piece of your Case for Support. It should clearly explain:
- The core issue you’re solving
- Why it matters right now
- And who it’s affecting
The strongest problem statements are both data-driven and personal. A compelling stat will catch someone’s attention, but it’s the human side of the story that will make them care.
Example: “In our county, 1 in 5 kids go to bed hungry—not because food doesn’t exist, but because families can’t afford consistent meals.”
2. Explain Your Solution Like You’d Explain It to a Friend
Okay, you’ve laid out the problem. Now it’s time to share what your nonprofit is actually doing to make things better.
This is where you talk about your solution—the heart of your work. And here’s my favorite piece of advice for this part: pretend you’re explaining it to a good friend over coffee. Keep it real and use everyday language.
For example, let’s say your organization is tackling food insecurity. You could say:
“We provide grocery deliveries and nutrition education to over 500 families.”
That’s a great start. It’s specific and shows scale. But let’s build on that to show why it matters: What happens because you’re delivering those groceries? How does that change someone’s life for the better (in ways big or small)?
Here’s how you could go a step further:
“We provide weekly grocery deliveries and nutrition education to over 500 families. That means kids have healthy meals at home, and parents can use that money for other essentials—like rent, medicine, or savings for the future.”
This paints a bigger picture. It’s not just about what you do—it’s about the ripple effect of your work.
Try this: If someone asked, “So what does your nonprofit actually do?” how would you explain it in 2–3 sentences, without using buzzwords? That’s your starting point.
🎥 Want the Full Walkthrough?
Watch the full episode: How to Write a Case for Support
We break down all five essential sections and show you how to bring it all together. Don’t forget to subscribe to this channel so you don’t miss it and other lessons in our series!
What’s working for you? Let me know how the process goes—I’d love to hear from you!
