The Case Statement
The Case Statement defines the purpose for which funds are to be raised (and quantifies the funds required). It should be a summary document – ideally no more than two pages of A4 – drawing together all aspects of a project; more detailed materials can be prepared to meet the requirements of a particular donor or constituency.
The Case Statement is a living document and can be adapted as the form of a project becomes clear. It should be used as an internal document – to be adopted and owned by all involved in the specification and delivery of the project.
The main components should be:
- A profile of your organisation
- This should include a brief summary of the organisation’s history and relevant achievements, and its vision for the future.
- Details of the project
- A summary of the nature and proposed form of your project, including the reason(s) that your organisation is best-placed to deliver it.
- Need for the project
- Findings from the consultation and research process identified above.
- Benefits of the project
- What the project aims to achieve – particularly in human and social terms – in the immediate, medium-term and long-term future. This could include details of any specific and / or quantifiable targets.
- Sharing of Findings / Potential for Replication
- How the project can offer wider benefits to local, regional or national audiences, and how information will be communicated.
- Cost / Sources of Funding / Management of Funds
- Outlining the likely cost of the project (supported by a detailed budget), identifying the constituencies from which funding will be sought and setting out how the budget, funds and project will be managed.
- Sustainability
- What will happen beyond the initial period of funding? Will the project become self-sustaining? Will your organisation commit to offer support in the longer term? Is this a pilot project, the future of which will be decided at a later date?
As your project planning progresses and you investigate the requirements of potential donors in more detail, you are likely to find that additional supporting documentation is required. This may include:
- Business Plan
- Education & Learning Policy / Strategy / Plan
- Access Policy / Strategy / Plan
- Equal Opportunities Policy / Strategy / Plan
- Letters of Support
- Activity Plan
