The Case Statement

1. The Case Statement Thomas P. Holland, Ph.D. Institute for Nonprofit Organizations University of Georgia

2. Definition • The case statement is a brief, clear written statement that communicates the organization’s purpose and its program and financial needs. It provides a persuasive answer to why you are conducting this fundraising campaign and why the organization merits philanthropic support.

3. The Case should answer these questions • Who is this organization and what is it trying to do? Why does it exist? • What is distinctive about the organization? • What must be accomplished? • How will this campaign enable it be accomplished? • How can the donor become involved? • What’s in it for donor – why become involved? • Action steps and contact information

4. Components • Mission and vision of this organization • Statement of the community need/ problem • Goals of the campaign • Giving options • Urgency: why should you act now? • Steps for becoming involved • Material should be brief and persuasive, including both rational and emotional elements

5. Developing a Case for Support • Board, staff and volunteers should be involved in developing the case statement. • The case statement focuses on important responses to community needs • It draws upon strategic goals of the organization and linking fundraising with planning, marketing, staffing, and services. • What form should the case statement take? • Large forms for more extensive presentations • Small forms to convey concise message

6. Variables • Audience • Prospective individual donors, corporate donors, community leaders, volunteers, media, partners… • Style, tone • Emotional, businesslike, low-frills, glossy… • Length • Uses • Raising individual gifts, corporate gifts, volunteers, publicity, political support, partners, training staff, special events… • Graphics • Photos, charts, testimonials, before/after images…

7. Case Statement should include • Brief description of organization • History, board, staff, accomplishments. • Mission statement • Statement of community need or problem • Goals and objectives of proposed response • Funding needs to accomplish those goals • Amount of need; length of time needed; cash and/or in-kind; resources in hand

8. Benefits/costs of acting/not acting • How will clients benefit? Organization? Community? • Statement of organizational capability • Does organization have the capacity to fulfill its commitment to these goals? • Resources • Current funding partners, volunteers, community support • Future plans • How will this organization or program finance itself over the next 3-5 years?

9. What is accomplished with a case statement? • Internal benefits: • key representatives of the organization speak from same page • Process of developing case statement offers opportunity to negotiate/resolve internal differences on goals • Links important organizational activities, such as strategic planning, marketing and fundraising.

10. External benefits: • Clear, consistent message to community • Organizational legitimacy • Visibility for your cause • Fund raising easier to accomplish • Also helps to raise non-financial resources (partners, volunteers)