This document provides information on making the case for fundraising. It discusses the importance of articulating why donors should support an organization by distinguishing the organization, the issues it addresses, how it measures impact, and opportunities it provides. The preparation process involves developing mission statements, strategic plans, programs, finances, evaluations, and donor stories. An effective case should communicate the rationale for giving and inspire stakeholders. Digital storytelling is also discussed as a key method for expressing what makes nonprofits unique and worthy of attention in order to enable audience identification and desired responses. A case study and panel discussion then follow with a question and answer period.

2. TRACK | FUNDRAISING
Tell Your Story:
Make the Case
Sara Peña, Director, New Jersey Department of State, Center for
Hispanic Policy, Research and Development
HuiWon Choi, Founder and President, Ampersand Fundraising
Liz Ngonzi, Founder and Executive Director, The International
Social Impact Institute at Hunter College, CUNY
Galina Angarova, Executive Director, Cultural Survival

3. Agenda
• Introduction
• Make the Case
• Preparation and Process
• Digital Storytelling
• Case Study
• Panel Discussion
• Q&A

4. Preparation and Process

5. Importance of a Case
• What distinguishes you?
• What issues will the donor address by supporting you?
• How do you measure and demonstrate impact?
• What are the opportunities?
• How to you plan to achieve your mission?
• Why now?
• Why should people invest in your organization?

6. Preparation
• Mission statement
• Strategic plan
• Programs and services
• Finances
• Evaluations
• Donor/client stories and quotes
• Visuals

7. Process
Who?
• Responsible
• Assists
• Consulted
• Informed
What?
• Formats
• Versions
• Budget
When?
• Timeline
• Feedback &
revision
• Review
hierarchy

8. Process Objectives
• Articulate the rationale for giving
• Create buy in and ownership
• Cultivate key stakeholders
• Inspire

9. Digital Storytelling

10. Digital Storytelling:
Developing Well-Crafted Stories
Elizabeth (Liz) Ngonzi | Founder @LizNgonzi

11. We Learn Through Stories
Source
Source
Source
Source Source
SourceSource
@LizNgonziSourceSource

12. Stories are Key to Making the Case
• Express what makes nonprofits
unique and worthy of attention /
support.
• Enable audiences to identify with
them.
• Provide the case for intended
response (e.g., grant, online
donation, advocacy).
Image Source
Every Nonprofit
NEEDS
a Well-Crafted Story!
@LizNgonzi

13. Storytelling
Framework:
Problem – Why you do what
you do
Solution – What you do and
how you do it
Impact – Why what you do
matters*
Ask – Action(s) you want
audience to take
*Goes beyond just results
@LizNgonzi

14. Virtual
Events
Influencers
Email / Mobile
Outreach
Social
Media
Peer-to-Peer
Engagement
Platforms
Search
Engines
External
Partners
Charity Rating
Platforms
Nonprofit
Website
@LizNgonzi
Nonprofit’s
Ideal Digital
Storytelling
Ecosystem

15. Challenges Nonprofits Must
Overcome Online:
• Prevalence of fraud
• Limited budget to execute
• Lack of visibility online (limited digital footprints)
• Physical distance from the supporter
• Worldwide competition
Image Source
@LizNgonzi

16. Key Elements Of Effective Digital Storytelling:
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
Transparency Authenticity Clarity Relevance
@LizNgonzi

17. READ
@LizNgonzi

18. My LinkedIn Profile
LizNgonzi.com
My New York University
Digital Storytelling Course
Resources To
Help Boost
Your Stakeholder
Engagement and
Career
@LizNgonzi

19. Case Study

20. Panel Discussion

21. Q & A