When you are ready to write a formal case statement, gather around you a few of those who best know the specific focus of the case (reason for asking for donations) you wish to write up. Ask their help, in a brainstorming type session, for the answers to the following questions.

1. The Problem. Describe in graphic, photographable detail the situation that leads your organization to address this specific problem or set of problems. NO abstract language allowed! It is good to use a specific story or two here; or, perhaps a quotation from someone directly affected by the problems. Human detail, individual stories help enliven the case and make it more interested to prospective donors.

2. The Vision. Describe in equally visual and graphic images what the situation will look like, feel like, etc., when the problem is completely resolved and the reasons for your work are finished or drastically changed.

3. The Mission. Describe the 3-5 year goals that your organization has set itself to move closer to the day when the vision is a reality.

4. The Goals. Describe the specific things your organization intends to accomplish in the next twelve months toward the accomplishment of those long-term goals listed in the mission.

5. Evidence of Effectiveness. Give 4 or 5 compelling evidences of your organization's effectiveness. Stories and statistics can work well here as well as quotations from well-known credible people. Choose examples that will show that your organization is the right one to be tackling the problems above - that it has the experience, the will, the track record of success that says to a prospective donor, "This is the group to invest in if one wants to make changes in the problems just described."

6. The Need. Make as specific a list as you can of all the people skills, time, money and things your organization will need to accomplish your one-year goals. Put a price tag next to each item.

7. The Financing Plan. Describe in as much detail as you can how you will find the resources and money you need. How many individuals will you  approach, how many foundations? Describe how and who will do the individual-focused fundraising. A prospective donor, whether an individual or a foundation, does not like to be the only one investing. They want to know they have or will have others as partners.

8. Specific Request to this Specific Prospective Donor. Exactly what is it that you want from this specific prospective donor, foundation or corporation? How much money is needed to fund exactly which part of the project you are asking them to support?

9. Benefits to the Prospective Donor. Get inside the head of the prospective donor and identify with his/her values and priorities. Use the lens that they use to look at the world. Then make a detailed and specific list of the benefits to this donor if he/she says yes to your request for a gift. Most benefits will be intangible and that's OK. But they must be identified and presented to the donor rather than leave it for them to figure out. This will encourage him/her to recognize their self-interest in saying yes.