Fundraising FAQ: What is a case for support and what questions do I need to be able to answer in it?

A case for support is a document, usually created for internal use, in which you and your colleagues can present the key arguments around why your organisation needs to exist, the problems it exists to solve and how it does that.

Can you answer these questions?

• Why us? Why are we uniquely effective at addressing a particular need or issue?

• Why would a donor care? What positive effects will be realised by a donor’s support?

• What is the need we are seeking to meet?

• What is the scale and urgency of need?

• What is the evidence for need?

• What would happen if the need was not met?

• Who are the beneficiaries of our work? (Who do we work with and for?)

• Why are our proposed solutions to address the need the right ones?

• What evidence of track record can we offer? Why are we the right organisation to do this work, in terms of expertise and experience?

• What does our work involve (trips)?

• What is the impact of our work?

• What are our costings (budget) to deliver the project/programme or your work as a whole?

• How do we communicate with our supporters and stakeholders?

• Why now? Why is it urgent that we find donor support?

From Charity Fundraising Templates by Richard Sved