What is a case statement?
Writing your case for support
Part 1 of 3

Over the course of the next few weeks I want to share some ideas on a document (of sorts) called, THE CASE STATEMENT.

For many of us we haven’t used this particular term much and yet, if you have been an Executive Director or Development Director for any length of time, you have probably created or utilized some kind of communication piece that in essence communicated your case statement.

For most of us in YFC what the development world calls THE CASE STATEMENT is simply what we use in the midst of our annual report, a fundraising brochure or letter, or some other major event communication vehicle.

Don’t worry about whether or not you’ve called it a CASE STATEMENT, but it might benefit you to realize in the big world of development (especially as it relates to foundations and grants) this is the term most commonly associated with any kind of communication “piece” that simply put…makes YOUR CASE for support, for funding, for their investment.

Over the next few weeks I’ll include some ideas as to what you need to include in your CASE STATEMENT. But first, just think of your CASE STATEMENT as answering these simple questions;

• Who you are?

• What you do?

• Why you’re doing it?

• Why you’re different than other people doing a similar thing?

• Why it matters?

• How you’re doing it?

• What you need, to do the thing you’re trying to do?

• What will be the impact donors and funding have?

 Hopefully you have these questions already answered, but it never hurts to review.  Next week we will look at the details for 4 of 7 different elements involved in writing good CASE STATEMENTS.

Have questions?  Give me a call (209) 541-5720 or an email, [email protected].   I’m here to help.

Rick