Every day, you're out there making our communities better—feeding families, advocating for women's rights, protecting our environment, helping students graduate. But even life-changing work needs a powerful story to connect.

What makes people give? Not fancy campaigns. It's real stories that touch hearts and move them to act. That's what a great case for support does.

Keep reading for more insights on how to create a case for support that:

• Tell stories that stick
• Build trust with supporters through honest communication
• Turn your mission into messages that move people to act

Because when more people hear your story, more people step up to help make change happen.

What is a Case for Support in Fundraising?

Want your donors to truly get why your work matters? You need a great case for support (also known as a donor case statement).

Think of explaining to a child why your work matters: "We help hungry families get food" or "We make sure every kid has a safe place to play." That same clear, simple truth should shine in your case for support. When you tell your story this way, donors don't just see a need—they see exactly how they can help make things better.

Your case for support needs to answer five key questions:

1. What urgent problem are you solving?
2. Why is your approach the right one?
3. What real difference have you made so far?
4. How exactly will donations help?
5. What bigger change are we all working toward?

The best cases for support don't just throw numbers at donors. They blend real stories with solid results to show both the heart and the impact of your work. When a potential supporter asks "Why should I give to you?" your case for support should make the answer crystal clear.

Use this document as your guide for everything from grant applications to donor meetings. When your whole team tells the same compelling story, backed by real results, donors understand exactly how their gift will make a difference.

Understanding Who You're Talking To

Every donor connects with your mission differently. Parents might care deeply about your after-school program because they know what kids need. A local business might want to create real change in their community. Foundations want proof their investment will make a difference.

Speak to what matters to each:

• Show families how their monthly gift helps a child learn to read
• Help businesses see how partnering with you builds a stronger community
• Give foundations the clear numbers and results they need to trust your work

How to Write a Great Case for Support

The best cases for support don't just ask for money—they invite people to be part of something meaningful. They show donors exactly how their gift will help create the change we all want to see.

Building Your Case

Start With the Problem That Matters

Paint a clear picture of the challenge you're tackling. Maybe it's hungry families in your city, or teens dropping out of school, or seniors living alone. Help readers feel why this matters—not with guilt trips, but with real stories that show what's at stake.

Show Your Smart Solution

What makes your approach special? Don't just say you're innovative—show how you get results when others haven't. Keep it simple: "Instead of temporary fixes, we help families build lasting financial skills through one-on-one coaching."

Prove It Works

Here's where you bring in both stories and numbers. Share Maria's journey from struggling single mom to small business owner. Then back it up: "Last year, we helped 200 families like Maria's increase their income by an average of 40%."

Make the Money Matter

Be crystal clear about what donations do. Instead of vague goals, try this: "Every $100 provides a month of after-school tutoring for a student who's struggling to read." Show donors exactly how they'll help create change.

Paint the Bigger Picture

Help donors see the ripple effects of their support. Example: "When you help a teen graduate, you're not just changing one life. You're strengthening our whole community for generations to come."

Wrap It in Great Design

Your words matter—make them shine with:

• Clean, readable layouts that give your story room to breathe
• Real photos that capture authentic moments
• Simple charts that make your impact clear at a glance
• Bold headlines that pull readers in
• Plenty of blank space to keep things focused

Share your real story with donors—both the tough parts that keep you up at night and the wins that fuel your fire. When they see what you're up against and how you're solving it, they don't just write checks. They become partners who stick with you, because now it's their fight too.

Why Design Matters for Your Case for Support

Great design transforms your case for support from a plain document into a compelling story that moves people to act.

By using clean, inviting layouts, you naturally guide readers through your narrative while giving powerful moments room to breathe. Your impact comes alive through a careful blend of bold statistics and authentic photos that capture real moments of change on the ground.

Instead of overwhelming donors with lots of information, thoughtful design breaks down complex ideas into clear visuals that instantly show how their gift makes a difference.

Whether through attention-grabbing headlines that pull readers in, clear charts that demonstrate impact at a glance, or strategic use of blank space that keeps focus on what matters, good design helps donors not just understand your work, but feel genuinely inspired to be part of it.

When authentic storytelling meets purposeful design, you create a case for support that truly resonates and motivates action.

Let's Make Your Mission Impossible to Ignore

Your nonprofit does amazing work. Shouldn't your case for support show it?

We've helped organizations like East Bay Community Foundation, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Orange County Community Foundation, and Making Waves Education Foundation turn their missions into cases for support that move people to act.

We believe your story deserves to be told beautifully. That's why we pair heart-driven storytelling with thoughtful design that makes donors stop and care. From eye-catching headlines to real photos of your work in action, every element works to bring your mission to life.

We know this isn't just about raising money. It's about building a community of people who believe in your vision and want to help make it real. Your case for support should kindle that spark.

Let's tell your story. Your community is waiting.

Case for Support FAQs

Why is it important to show my solution in the case for support?

People support organizations that get results. When you show how your approach makes real change happen—not just what you do, but why it works—donors lean in. They want to back smart solutions that make a real difference. Show them yours.

How can I prove that my nonprofit's work is effective?

Mix heart and proof. Share Maria's story of going from homeless to homeowner through your program. Then back it up: "Last year, we helped 50 families like Maria's find stable housing." When you blend real stories with solid numbers, donors see their gift at work.

What should I include to make the money matter in my case for support?

Make it concrete. Instead of saying "support our youth program," try "Your $100 gives a teen 10 hours of one-on-one mentoring." When donors see exactly what their gift does, they're more likely to give.

How can I effectively communicate the urgency of your nonprofit's mission?

Show what's at stake. If you're fighting youth hunger, don't just share statistics—help donors see empty fridges and missed meals. Then show how their quick action changes lives: "Every day we wait, kids go hungry. Every day we act, kids thrive."

What role do stories play in a case for support?

Stories are essential. When donors read about James finally learning to read at 40, or Sarah escaping abuse, they don't just understand your mission—they feel it. Real stories turn abstract causes into human connections that move people to act.

What design elements should I consider for my case for support?

Think of design like setting the stage for a powerful conversation. Clean layouts and bold headlines draw people in, while real photos and clear charts help them see exactly how change happens in your community.