Knowledge base
In Securing Your Organization's Future, Michael Seltzer defines the case statement in the following way:
"A case statement is simply a written document that states the most important facts about an organization. It can range in length from a wallet-size card to twenty pages or more. Preparing such a statement provides the opportunity to amass data that will best illustrate the competence of your staff and the effectiveness of your work."
The case statement, also called the case for support, is the core document of any fundraising campaign, especially for specific fundraising initiatives such as capital or endowment campaigns. The case statement should include your mission, vision and values statements, and should set out to clearly answer the who, what, and why of your fundraising efforts. Some questions that an effective case statement might seek to answer:
- How does this organization help people?
- Who do we help?
- What vital services do we offer?
- What is our organization's track record?
- What are our plans for the future?
- How do we use our money?
- Why do we deserve support?
There are of course many other questions that might be answered in an effective case statement. For examples of actual nonprofit case statements, Google is a good starting point.
See also our related Knowledge Base articles:
-Where can I learn more about fundraising planning?
- Proposal writing articles
Topic(s)
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Explore resources curated by our staff for this topic:
- Bloomerang
How to Create Your Nonprofit Case Statement: Clarify Mission & Values
Part II of this blog series dives deeper into what constitutes your mission (what you do) and your values (how you do it). Includes a checklist for "What makes a story a good story?" and tips for clarifying your values.
- Bloomerang
What’s Your Nonprofit’s Body, Heart and Soul?
Tie your mission, values and vision together into a Case for Support. Part I of this blog series provides action steps and a timeline to develop your organization's case statement.
- Get Fully Funded
Why You Need a Case Statement for Fundraising
Discusses why you need two case statements: an external one to present to potential donors, partners, and sponsors and an internal one for planning and guidance. Includes a link to a sample template to help you get started.
- Staffpick Ter Molen Watkins & Brandt
A Guide to Writing Your Case for Support
A free guide to give you practical steps to write a clear, concise, and moving case for support that tells your organization's story. Includes guidelines and a sample case statement.
- The Balance
How to Write a Great Case Statement for Fundraising
Every fundraising campaign has a case statement at its center. It is the core document that sits at the center of your plan and strategy. This article explains what to include, what to avoid, and provides an example of a case statement.
