What should you include in your case for support?

This video will explain what information you should include and how you can begin to put together a case for support document

A funder wants the same things as you. It's worth remembering that a funder wants the same things as you.

To make a difference as effectively as possible

Therefore, all of your intended outputs, outcomes and impact should be communicated with a strong case for support

At this stage it's important to note that we understand the difference between outputs, outcomes and impact

Outputs are those results which are achieved immediately after implementing an activity. For example if you were organising a fundraising strategy workshop and participants who attended it

Will gain a clear understanding of the fundraising strategy, so this is an output the project has achieved and it is achieved right after the conclusion of the workshop

Outcomes can be considered as mid-term results. They are not seen immediately after the end of the project activity

But after some time, when we see some change at the ground level because of the project activity

Taking the above example of a fundraising workshop, if the participants have started to develop fundraising strategies for their organisation then this will be an outcome of the project.

Impact is usually a long-term result and it may not be achievable during the lifetime of the project. For example if people

Who attended the fundraising workshop have implemented the fundraising strategy and are therefore increasing income for their organisation, this can be seen as an impact.

Need

Take a moment to think about the difference between what is a project which we want and project which we need.

Without supporting information your project may well read like a want to the funder as opposed to a need.

You should consider what information you have to illustrate the need for your project or initiative.

For instance, is the need for the service or documents that you're planning currently over-subscribed?

You can use numbers to support this need and also illustrate where the project sits within the parent organisation strategy.

Has a similar project been undertaken elsewhere and what has been the impact of that project.

Research evidence pertaining to your intended user group, for example if your project were to be on health and wellbeing of the older demographic, encourging participation for older people

You may want to begin illustrating the need by using information like this

Combined with statistics from the health and wellbeing section of local joint strategic needs analysis and numbers supporting the potential user group

Suddenly, rather than being a want, your project becomes very much needed

If your need is well articulated, your solutions section should flow naturally

The key information in here is what are you going to do, what will the funds received pay for and what will the achievements of the project be?

It is also important to remember, when stating project outputs to think about the value per head for the funder

If your project is going to affect 100 people how much is it costing per head and does that represent good value for money for the funder?

These are the things to consider within your solutions section

Also, ask yourself is the style of your writing engaging? I strongly recommend using bullet points to communicate solutions effectively

Use personal stories or case studies to demonstrate the impact of your project and bring your case for support to life

You could even include quotes from people who have used the service. Also you could include long-term impacts from similar projects

Think about outcomes in the medium-term and impact in the long-term change for individuals' behaviour

Remember from the earlier slide, what motivates funders is the difference that will be made to the individuals when they hand their money over

Budget

You should include information about the project budget in your case for support

Tell your potential funders how much the work will cost and what the key areas of expenditure are

Funders will often provide guidance as to what they deem to be acceptable areas of recharge

There's a very useful document which you can find here

Added value

Finally, tell funders why you and your organisation are best to deliver this project

What do you bring to the work and what is your organsiation's past experience

This really is your chance to sing and shine so make sure you don't leave anything out

To recap, you need to tell funders five key pieces of information in order to form an effective case for support

What is the need for your work

What are the solutions you are trying to deliver

What is the impact you are trying to make

What is included in your budget for this work

What is your added value and why are you the best person, team or organisation to deliver a project

We have produced some activities in the next section of this course which can be used to start building your case for support