What Should a Nonprofit Case For Support Include?
A strong nonprofit Case for Support should explain who you are, who you serve, what problem you address, what you do about it, what changes because of your work, why your organization is equipped to do it, and why support matters now.
There is no single required format. The point is not to fill in the right headings. The point is to make sure your organization can answer the questions a donor, foundation, board member, or community partner is likely to ask.
Who are you, and who do you serve?
Start with your mission, who you serve, and enough organizational history to help the reader understand how you got here.
That history may explain why a program was created, how your work has changed, or what gives your organization credibility in the community today.
If your nonprofit is motivated by Christian faith, you can say so plainly.
You do not need to hide that part of your identity. But avoid religious jargon that may not make sense to someone outside your organization. Faith can explain why you are committed to the work, but do not assume it explains the community impact by itself.
What problem are you addressing?
Help the reader understand the actual need.
Who experiences it? How significant is it? Why does it matter in your community? Why does it matter now?
This is where good data can help. You may use local statistics, research, community trends, or other credible information that gives context to the problem.
A broad statement like “families are struggling” does not tell the reader enough.
Show them what is happening and why your organization is responding.
What does your organization actually do?
Explain your programs and approach in plain language.
What happens when someone comes through your doors or participates in a program? What services do you provide? How do the pieces of your work fit together?
You do not need to describe every operational detail. You do need enough information for someone outside the organization to understand what you actually do.
This is also where insider language can get in the way. If a ministry term needs three sentences of explanation, there may be a simpler way to say it.
What changes because your organization shows up?
This is one of the most important questions in a Case for Support.
It is easy to describe activity.
You served 500 meals. Twenty-five students completed a mentoring program. Forty people attended a workshop.
Those numbers are helpful to know. But, what happened next? You need to describe what happened because of the activity.
Did participants find stable housing? Improve employment outcomes? Build stronger relationships? Gain new skills? Stay in school?
You do not need a sophisticated evaluation system to talk about impact. But you should be able to point to both numerical evidence and human stories that show what is changing.
Why is your organization equipped to do this work?
Help the reader understand why your organization is well positioned to respond.
That may include:
years of experience
trusted community relationships
staff or volunteer expertise
a distinctive program approach
partnerships
a history of results
This is not about making your organization sound impressive. It is about giving the reader good reason to trust that you understand the need and can carry out the work.
What needs funding, and what will support make possible?
A strong Case for Support should also give financial context.
At minimum, know your overall operating budget and the budgets for the programs you are seeking support for.
Then connect the numbers to the work.
What does additional funding make possible? Does it sustain an existing program, expand capacity, add staff, serve more people, or strengthen something the organization already does well?
A funder should be able to understand both the need and the scale of the request.
What else should be in your Case for Support?
In other words, what else might a funder want to know? Depending on the organization and the opportunity, your Case for Support may also address future direction.
Some funders will ask:
How will the work continue after the grant ends?
Is the program sustainable?
Can it grow or scale?
What is the organization trying to build over the next few years?
You may not need a long section on each of these topics, but you should know how you would answer them.
A good Case for Support gives your organization more than polished language. It gives you a reliable source document for explaining what you do, why it matters, and what support can make possible.
🌟 Can your organization answer these questions clearly? A strong Case for Support is one part of grant readiness. Use the free 10-question grant readiness Self-Audit Tool to see what is in place and what may need attention.
