One of the pillars of an effective fundraising campaign is your school’s Case for Support. The Case for Support communicates with donors and prospects, and begins the process of matching their values and interests with your school’s mission and guiding principles. Here’s how to create a terrific Case for Support.

The Case for Support should always begin with your mission. How does your school innovate, change lives, contribute to the community, and deliver an outstanding educational experience?

Make your Case for Support personalized, active, unique, fun, and inspiring. Illustrate the good work your school accomplishes and how continued gifts will make a difference in the lives of your students. Include examples of excited students, dedicated faculty, enthusiastic staff, and happy parents.

Connect to the hearts of your donors with the core of your mission. Write what will inspire them, raise their sights, offer a sense of importance, and establish community.

Translate your school’s strategic plan into a compelling narrative. Indicate the role of annual giving, and how it ensures your school’s well-being. Promote your school as a community asset and a good investment.

Use language to create an ongoing culture of philanthropic giving for the school, demonstrating how the donor’s gift will make a difference in the life of your school.

Avoid using the “tuition gap” as your default fundraising message—it is often ineffective. People are inspired to give generously to the transformative impact of education. They do not want to cover operational costs.

Always return to the story of your school and its impact on families—this is what inspires giving. When your Case for Support connects donors’ values and interests with your school’s mission and guiding principles, your school is better positioned to reach your fundraising goals.

We can help your school to develop a fundraising plan that exceeds expectations. Email us at [email protected].