• Build Your Case for Support

  • Welcome

    A strong case for support is one of the most valuable communication tools your organization can create. It serves as the foundation for grant applications, donor conversations, sponsorship requests, annual appeals, presentations, and website messaging by clearly explaining why your organization exists, how it responds to community needs, and why others should invest in its work.

    This template is designed to help you organize your ideas into a clear first draft. Rather than starting with a blank page, you'll work through each section step by step, building a complete case for support that you can continue refining over time.

     

    How the Pieces Fit Together
    Your case for support should lead the reader through a clear progression:

    The need: What issue deserves attention?
    Your response: How does your organization address it?
    The results: What changes because of the work?
    Your credibility: Why is your organization positioned to lead it?
    The opportunity: What will additional support make possible?

    Each section should build on the one before it. By the end, the reader should understand not only what your organization does, but why investing in the work is a logical next step.

     

    Before You Begin

    For the best experience, we recommend completing this template on a computer rather than a mobile device.

    The fillable fields allow you to save your progress, revise sections as your ideas develop, and return to your work whenever you need. Once you're satisfied with your draft, you can save a copy for your records or print a polished version to review with your team or board. No paywalls, no contact required.

    As you work through the template:

    - Write as though your reader has never heard of your organization.

    - Focus on one clear idea in each section.

    - Support your statements with facts and examples whenever possible.

    - Don't worry about making it perfect on the first draft—your goal is simply to capture the information that belongs in each section.

    - Each section includes a brief explanation, guiding questions, suggested length, and    space to draft your response.

    By the time you reach the final page, you'll have a complete working draft of your organization's case for support—one that you can strengthen, adapt, and use across many different fundraising and communication efforts.

  • 1. Opening

    Purpose: Introduce your organization and establish the importance of the work.

    Questions to Consider

    What change is your organization working toward?
    Who benefits from your work?
    Why does this work matter?


    Suggested Length: 75–125 words

  • 2. Community Need

    Purpose: Help readers understand the problem your organization exists to address.

    Focus on the community—not your organization.

    Questions to Consider

    What problem exists?
    Who is affected?
    Why does this matter?
    Why is action needed now?
    What evidence supports the need?


    Suggested Length: 200–300 words

  • 3. Our Response

    Purpose: Explain how your organization responds to the need.

    Describe your approach rather than simply listing programs.

    Questions to Consider

    What do you do?
    Who participates?
    How do your programs address the need?
    What makes your approach effective?

    Suggested Length: 200–300 words

  • 4. Outcomes & Impact

    Purpose: Show what changes because of your work.

    Include measurable results whenever possible.

    Questions to Consider

    What changes for participants?
    What changes for the community?
    What evidence demonstrates success?
    What stories or examples support your outcomes?


    Suggested Length: 150–250 words

  • 5. Why Our Organization

    Purpose: Build confidence in your organization's ability to do this work well.

    Questions to Consider

    What experience supports your work?
    What partnerships strengthen your programs?
    What accomplishments demonstrate your capacity?
    Why are you well-positioned to address this need?

    Suggested Length: 100–175 words

  • 6. The Opportunity

    Purpose: Explain how funding will strengthen your work.

    Connect the request to the impact already described.

    Questions to Consider

    What support is needed?
    How will funding be used?
    What opportunities will additional support create?
    Why is this investment important now?

    Suggested Length: 125–200 words

  • 7. Closing Invitation

    Purpose: Invite the reader to become part of the work.

    Keep the ending positive, confident, and forward-looking.

    Questions to Consider

    What do you hope the reader will do?
    What difference will their support make?

    Suggested Length: 50–100 words

  • Before You Finish

  • Review your draft before sharing it.

  • Your Case for Support Draft Is Complete

    This resource is yours to use—no paywall and no required next step. Save it, print it, and put it to work for your organization.

    You can use this draft as a starting point for grant applications, donor materials, sponsorship requests, board conversations, and other funding communications.

     

    Optional: Get a Free Case for Support Evaluation

    Would you like feedback before you begin using it?

    Shared Ground Consulting offers a free evaluation of completed case-for-support drafts.

    Submit your document and contact information, and we’ll identify what is already working and where the case may need greater clarity or development.

     

  • Would you like a free evaluation from Shared Ground Consulting?

  • Select Print to create a copy of your completed draft, or Save to return later. Use Submit only when requesting the optional evaluation.

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