Why You Need a Nonprofit ​​​​​​​Case For Support

Need a quick tip to help your nonprofit raise more funds? Start by writing a strong Case for Support in your marketing and fundraising campaigns.

The nonprofit Case for Support, also known as a "Case Statement" or "the Case," is a dynamic document that presents compelling reasons why your organization deserves support and the urgent needs that support will meet. It is dynamic because it can serve various high-level purposes. You can use a Case for Support in your marketing, fundraising, recruitment, and staff/volunteer onboarding efforts.

Here are three ways that your nonprofit can benefit from a good Case across various departments:

1. To raise more funds

During our latest webinar - Ask With Purpose: How To Write Your Best Case For Support Ever - our host Diana Hoyt, Author of Formula for Fundraising: Embrace Your Donors For Greater Success and Director of Fundraising Consulting at Arreva gave a firsthand account of how writing a Case for Support helped an organization acquire new donors.

According to Hoyt, the Case wasn't even the final draft. It was just a test version.

She had sent it out to five non-donors, promising to call back within a certain period to get their opinion on its content. But before she could follow up, two of the non-donors sent her two 4-figure checks and notes expressing that they were impressed with what her nonprofit was doing.

If your nonprofit is serious about raising funds like Hoyt's, then it needs a Case for Support. But your Case doesn't have to be limited to fundraising campaigns. In fact, it should be the starting point for all your marketing and corporate communications. The goals, purpose, values, and strategic direction included in the Case must resonate with the content in your brochures, websites, and social media.

2. To attract and keep a passionate team

Attracting and retaining a passionate team is crucial for the success of any nonprofit organization. According to the 2019 annual benchmarking survey by The BDO Institute for Nonprofit Excellence, 66% of nonprofits rated staff retention and recruitment as a top challenge. Additionally, nearly 24% identified a disconnect from the mission as a high or moderate employee satisfaction issue. However, the power and commitment of people are essential for achieving the organization's goals.

Fortunately, an effective Case for Support can help nonprofits address this challenge and tap into the potential of skilled and passionate board members, volunteers, and employees. Diana Hoyt, in our webinar, shared how a nonprofit she once worked for was able to recruit new board members and strengthen its weak board by utilizing a Case for Support. In her own words, "We had no problems recruiting board members (by using a Case For Support)."

But why are Cases for Support such effective recruitment tools for nonprofits? The answer lies in their ability to answer the question "Why?" By clearly articulating why the nonprofit's objective matters, a Case for Support naturally attracts individuals who share the organization's vision and mission. As Simon Sinek, the bestselling author of "Start With Why," explains, "Starting with WHY when hiring dramatically increases your ability to attract those who are passionate about what you believe."

By incorporating the nonprofit Case for Support into the recruitment process, nonprofits can ensure that prospective team members understand the organization's purpose, values, and strategic direction. This alignment of values and goals creates a strong foundation for team members' commitment and dedication to the cause. Moreover, it fosters a sense of belonging and connection to the mission, which ultimately leads to higher employee satisfaction and retention rates.

A well-crafted Case for Support not only helps nonprofits raise funds but also plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining a passionate team. By clearly communicating the organization's purpose and the impact it seeks to make, the Case for Support invites individuals who share the same values and vision to join the cause. This alignment of values and goals not only strengthens the organization's team but also enhances its overall performance and ability to make a difference in the community it serves.

3. To improve team performance

One of the key factors that contribute to the success of a nonprofit organization is the ability of its team members to understand and communicate the benefits of the organization's work. A strong and effective Case for Support plays a crucial role in improving team performance by addressing this issue.

By clearly articulating the problem that the nonprofit aims to solve and explaining how solving this problem benefits society, a well-crafted Case for Support ensures that all team members have a deep understanding of the organization's mission and goals. This clarity provides a strong foundation for team members to align their efforts and work towards a common purpose.

Moreover, a good Case for Support highlights the unique position of the nonprofit in addressing the pressing needs of the community. It showcases the organization's expertise, resources, and strategies that set it apart from others in the field. By emphasizing these factors, the Case for Support not only instills confidence in team members but also inspires them to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities.

Additionally, a compelling Case for Support clearly communicates the benefits that the target community and donors will experience when the nonprofit succeeds in its mission. This helps team members develop a deep sense of purpose and motivation, knowing that their work directly contributes to positive change in the lives of others. It also fosters a sense of pride and satisfaction in being part of an organization that is making a tangible difference in the community.

Furthermore, a well-written Case for Support provides a framework for consistency in team members' interpersonal relationships and their interaction with the community. When team members have a clear understanding of the organization's purpose and goals, they are better equipped to effectively communicate and collaborate with each other. This cohesion and alignment contribute to stronger teamwork, increased productivity, and improved overall performance.

By clearly communicating the problem the nonprofit solves, the unique position it holds, and the benefits it brings to the community, a Case for Support ensures that team members are aligned, motivated, and equipped to work toward the organization's mission. It fosters a sense of purpose, pride, and connection, leading to higher levels of performance and success for the nonprofit as a whole.

How to write an effective Case for Support.

Watch our FREE recorded educational webinar above, Ask with Purpose: How to Write Your Best-Ever Case for Support with Diana Hoyt, Author of Formula for Fundraising: Embrace Your Donors for Greater Success and Director of Fundraising Consulting at Arreva.

You'll discover:

• A reliable process for writing a Case for Support that transforms your fundraising and marketing.
• The critical elements that every nonprofit Case for Support needs to achieve its purpose.
• The biggest mistake that most writers make in their Cases for Support.