A nonprofit case statement is a fundraising tool. It might be a glossy pamphlet, a booklet complete with photos or a document on which to base other fundraising materials. It can make a case for general support or focus on a specific campaign or program. It's not of much use, though, sitting in a cabinet. Here's get the most out of your case statement.
Instructions
1. Hand out copies of your case statement at all of your events. Be sure the content matches the event's purpose, whether it's to garner support for your nonprofit in general or for a specific program.
2. Send it with every mail piece that goes to existing donors. Consider producing a case statement for each of your programs and focusing on only one of those programs in each separate appeal. This way you can educate your donors about all that you do.
3. Post a copy on your website in HTML and PDF format to provide content that the search engines can pick up. This also allows donors to print file copies and extras to pass along to others.
4. Take copies of your nonprofit's case statement to give to prospective donors at every presentation made by your organization. A case statement is an ideal way to back up your authority on whatever topic you've discussed and draw potential donors to your cause.
5. Use your general case statement as a rough draft for future or program-specific statements. They should be reevaluated at least annually. In campaigns that target specific programs, it's imperative to develop a separate one to answer a potential donor's questions.
6. Design every grant proposal around your case statement. It can be a challenge to juggle all the details a foundation requests, so keeping the case statement before you throughout this process will help you stay focused.
7. Develop a plan for your case statement to reach it's target audience. It's especially crucial to design program-specific case statements for particular donors. A targeted document will draw more people to your nonprofit.
