Day 4

Module 1 | Day 4 of 90

Your Case for Support is the master document from which every appeal, proposal, and conversation flows. Most nonprofits never write one. You will today.

The Case for Support

The Case for Support is your organization's fundraising backbone. It answers one question with devastating clarity: Why should someone give you their money instead of keeping it or giving it elsewhere?

Case for Support Architecture

Section 1: The Problem (Urgency) Define the need your organization exists to address. Make it specific, current, and urgent.

Example: "Every night in our city, 2,400 children go to bed hungry. School lunch programs stop on Friday, and by Sunday evening, 68% of food-insecure kids have eaten nothing but cereal or crackers for two full days."

Section 2: Your Solution (Credibility) Describe exactly what you do, how you do it differently, and why it works.

Example: "The Weekend Meals Program delivers backpacks containing six nutritious meals to 1,200 children every Friday afternoon. Our volunteer network of 85 drivers covers 34 schools, and 94% of participating families report improved weekend food security within one semester."

Section 3: The Impact (Proof) Quantify outcomes and share stories that demonstrate transformation.

Example: "Since 2019, we have delivered 187,000 weekend meal packs. Third-grade reading scores among participants rose 23%. Emergency room visits for nutrition-related issues fell 41%."

Section 4: The Vision (Aspiration) Paint a picture of what success looks like at scale.

Example: "By 2028, every food-insecure child in our county will have access to weekend nutrition. We will serve 3,000 children weekly, expand to middle schools, and launch a summer meal bridge program."

Section 5: The Ask (Specificity) Be precise about what you need and what it accomplishes.

Example: "$250 funds one child's weekend meals for an entire school year. $5,000 funds a classroom. $25,000 funds an entire school. $100,000 expands our program to three new schools."

Section 6: Why You (Differentiation) Explain why your organization is uniquely positioned to solve this problem.

Example: "We are the only organization in the county with a volunteer driver network, USDA nutrition partnerships, and direct distribution relationships with every elementary school."

Case for Support Formats

• Long-form (8-12 pages): For major donors, foundations, and board members
• Medium-form (2-4 pages): For event programs, sponsorship packets
• Short-form (1 page): For appeals, email campaigns, social media
• One-paragraph: For introductions, elevator pitches
• Story version: For video, speeches, and events

Today's Action Items

1. Draft the Problem section with current data
2. Write your Solution section with specificity
3. Compile 3-5 impact statistics and 1-2 beneficiary stories
4. Write the Vision section that inspires
5. Create specific gift-level asks tied to outcomes
6. Write your Differentiation paragraph

Key Takeaway

Your Case for Support is the source code for every dollar you raise. Invest the time to make it compelling, specific, and emotionally resonant.

Worksheet

Complete today's worksheet: Case for Support Worksheet

Clozo Academy Proprietary Curriculum — The Nonprofit Growth System