Your Sample Case for Support: A 5-Step Checklist to Win Funding / Cosmic

Too many social impact leaders have a bold, world-changing vision but struggle to articulate why anyone should invest in it. They step into donor meetings with passion but an unclear pitch. It feels a bit like holding up a drawing of a circle and just saying, “...for kids!” The vision might be brilliant, but the story fails to connect.

Your case for support is the antidote to this. It’s far more than a fundraising document or a grant proposal template; it’s a core strategic asset. A powerful case for support can align your messaging, mobilize your entire team, and inspire serious, sustained investment in your mission.

But only if you get it right.

This checklist walks through a practical, 5-part framework to help you build a clear and compelling sample case for support that connects with both hearts and minds—and opens doors.

Why Your Case for Support is More Than a Fundraising Document

Before diving into the checklist, it’s critical to understand the strategic power of this tool. In a sector where resources are tight and teams are stretched thin, the case for support provides a much-needed foundation.

It’s not just for your development director. It’s a management tool that ensures everyone on your team is rowing in the same direction, speaking the same language, and working toward the same vision. It’s also a powerful content engine. Hand an effective case for support to your marketing team, and you’ve given them a strategic playbook for a year’s worth of compelling stories, emails, and social media campaigns.

Ultimately, a strong case for support helps your organization make the leap from being seen as just another nonprofit to becoming an unforgettable and magnetic leader in your field.

The 5-Point Checklist for a Compelling Case for Support

Use these five ingredients as a framework. Work through them with your team to build a narrative that is authentic, persuasive, and ready to inspire action.

☐ 1. Establish The Why: Purpose, Problem & Urgency

Before anyone can care about your solution, they must first understand and feel the gravity of the problem. This is the establishing shot for your entire narrative. It sets the context and answers the fundamental question simmering in every potential supporter's mind: “Why should I care about this right now?”

Your “Why” is built on three pillars:

Purpose: What is the fundamental reason your organization exists? This is your North Star.
Problem: What specific, tangible problem are you dedicated to solving? Define it clearly and simply, avoiding academic speak and internal jargon that can muddy the waters.
Urgency: Why is this problem so critical to address now? Frame the stakes. What happens if this issue goes unsolved? What would the world miss out on if your vision did not come to fruition?

In today’s crowded attention economy, your “Why” must be sharp enough to cut through the noise. Be honest and authentic about the urgency—don’t manufacture a crisis. Instead, paint a clear picture of the consequences of inaction and the opportunity for meaningful change.

☐ 2. Paint The Vision: A Picture of Success

Once you’ve established the problem, it’s time to reveal the solution. Your vision is the hopeful, inspiring response to the challenge you just laid out. It answers the question: “What does the world look like if your organization succeeds?”

This isn’t about incremental progress; it's about the ultimate future state you are working to create. A compelling vision is:

Aspirational: It should feel big, bold, and worthy of support.
Tangible: It should be descriptive enough that supporters can vividly imagine it. Help them see, feel, and understand the transformed reality.
Human-Centered: Ground your vision in the lives of the people you serve. How will their world be different and better because of your success?

Your vision is the banner under which your community rallies. It’s the story that needs to be woven through your entire digital ecosystem, from the hero image on your website to the stories you share on social media. Your website shouldn't just be a digital brochure; it must be the front door to this inspiring new world you’re building.

☐ 3. Define The Strategy: Your Unique Approach

A powerful vision will inspire awe, but the next logical question from any potential investor will be, “Okay, but how are you actually going to do that?” Your strategy is the bridge between your grand vision and the credible reality of your work.

This section is not a detailed, tactical plan. It's a high-level overview of your approach. Think of it as your theory of change, simplified. Focus on:

The “How”: In simple terms, what is your methodology for creating change?
Your Unique Advantage: What makes your approach particularly effective? Do you have a special methodology, key partnerships, or a deep-rooted community connection that sets you apart? This is the time to mention your “special sauce.”
The Plan: Tell a story about your plan without getting lost in the weeds. The goal is to build credibility and confidence, proving your vision isn't just a pie-in-the-sky idea but a well-considered and achievable mission.

Your strategy demonstrates that you have the operational sophistication to match your ambition. It shows donors that their investment will be put to work effectively and intelligently.

☐ 4. Build Credibility: The Proof You Can Deliver

You’ve presented a problem, a vision, and a strategy. Now, you have to answer the final, unspoken question: “Why should I trust you to do this?” This is where you prove you’re up to the task.

Credibility isn’t about bragging; it’s about confidently sharing the evidence of your impact and expertise. As one of our partners says, if you’re uniquely good at something, you need to “sing it from the rooftops.”

Build your credibility with a mix of logic and emotion:

Impact Metrics (The Brain): Share key data points that prove your effectiveness. Past wins, successful campaigns, and measurable outcomes show you have a track record of success.
Impact Storytelling (The Heart): Share a story of an individual whose life was changed by your work. This makes your impact tangible and emotionally resonant.
Social Proof: Let others sing your praises. Use testimonials from partners, community members, or funders. Highlighting key partnerships also shows you are a trusted and respected player in your field.

A robust CRM is the engine for this work. It’s where your impact data, donor history, and engagement records live. By centralizing this information, you can easily pull the proof points you need to build an undeniable case for your organization's credibility.

☐ 5. Clarify The Ask: The Supporter's Role

After building a powerful narrative, the final and most crucial step is to make a clear, compelling ask. This is where many cases for support fall flat. Don’t build momentum for four steps only to end with a vague, “So, what do you think?”

Invite the donor to become the hero in the story you just told. Here’s how:

Be Specific but Flexible: Have a clear idea of what you’re asking for, whether it’s a six-figure grant or an introduction to a key contact. But also present multiple ways for people to engage. Not everyone can write a big check, but they might know someone who can.
Center the Donor: Frame the ask around their impact. Use more “you” language than “we” language. It’s not about what “we” need; it’s about the transformational change “you” can make possible.
Tailor The Pitch: A great case for support is a strong boilerplate, but the ask must be personalized. Before you walk into a meeting, do your homework. Understand what that individual or foundation cares about most, and authentically connect the dots between their priorities and your mission.

The experience of giving is also part of the ask. A seamless, professional online donation process reinforces your credibility, while a clunky, confusing one can erode trust at the final moment.

Turning Your Case for Support into a Year-Long Strategy

With your five-point case for support built, don’t let it sit in a folder. This is a living document that can fuel your entire organization.

As a Management Tool: Use it to align your board, staff, and volunteers. Ask team members how their specific work fits into the larger narrative. It ensures everyone understands the vision and their role in achieving it.
As a Content Strategy: Each of the five checklist items is a content pillar. You now have a strategic foundation for dozens of blog posts, social media campaigns, donor emails, and newsletters. This focus helps you overcome content fatigue and ensures everything you create is reinforcing your core message.

Your case for support is the strategic core that integrates your brand, digital presence, and activation efforts. It's the story that, when told consistently and powerfully, will help you earn trust, grow sustainable revenue, and mobilize your community for action.

Ready to Build Your Unforgettable Brand?

Crafting a powerful case for support is a foundational step. If you’re ready to build a cohesive strategy that integrates your brand, digital platforms, and activation efforts, we can help.

Book a free strategy call with Cosmic to talk through your challenges and see how we can help you achieve your mission.
Learn about Cosmic's Social Impact Growth Model, where we provide your organization with an entire team of strategists, marketers, designers, and developers.

Your Sample Case for Support: A 5-Step Checklist to Win Funding