How to Use a Case for Support in Your Grant Writing

You don't have to be a non-profit to benefit from the concept of a case for support.

You might’ve heard the term case for support used in the nonprofit world. It’s a narrative document that explains why an organisation exists, what problem it solves, and why that work matters - usually used to pitch to donors or funders.

But even if you’re not in the nonprofit sector, the concept is still useful. At the heart of almost every grant application is a version of the same challenge: Can you make a clear, convincing case for why your work deserves funding?

Many people approach this by writing long background sections, value statements, or quoting their mission verbatim. But that’s not what assessors are looking for. You need to connect the dots between your project, the problem, and the funder’s priorities.

Here’s how to use the concept of a case for support to sharpen your next grant application.