Crafting a Modern Case for Support That Inspires Six- and Seven-Figure Gifts
Scaling Major Gifts. Strategies, action steps, and ideas for scaling major gifts by Tammy Zonker, Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker.
When was the last time you updated your case for support?
Lately, I’ve seen too many cases that read like they were written before 2020. In this post‑2025 world, donors expect sharper clarity, measurable impact, and an invitation to co‑create solutions. But many cases still rely on dated language, old assumptions about giving, and stories that no longer reflect today’s realities.
If your case feels more like a museum piece than a living, breathing invitation to change lives, next week’s focus will help.
What to focus on next week
1. Check for pre‑2020 language and assumptions.
Phrases like “now more than ever” or “uncharted times” served us well once, but they sound tired now. If your case talks more about your organization’s needs than your community’s future, it’s time for a rewrite. Donors are funding solutions, not structures.
2. Anchor to five core elements of a modern case.
Every strong case includes these essentials: the problem, the vision, the path, the proof, and the invitation. Start with the human problem at the center. Paint a vivid picture of what’s possible. Show the path and who’s leading it. Offer credible proof that your organization can deliver. Then extend a clear and personal invitation to join the mission.
3. Reflect today’s donor expectations.
Major donors want impact, equity, community voice, and transparency. Share how you involve those most affected in shaping your programs. Show data as well as emotion. Explain how you measure progress and report back. A modern case reads like a living partnership, not a one‑sided appeal.
4. Use AI wisely to refine your message.
I often use AI tools to generate variations of a core paragraph for different donor segments. For example, you might create one version that resonates with business leaders focused on economic mobility, and another tuned to family foundations passionate about education equity. Just remember: AI drafts, but you decide. Your voice, your authenticity, your heart must lead.
5. Pressure‑test with trusted donors.
Before finalizing your case, invite two or three top supporters to read a draft. Ask what moved them, what confused them, and what they wanted to know more about. That real‑world feedback is more valuable than any internal review.
A Quick Story
I worked with a regional healthcare foundation preparing for a $50M campaign. Their case was well written, but it could have been from 2015. It focused heavily on new buildings and technology upgrades, with little mention of health equity or patient experience.
We re‑centered the story on access and trust. We lifted up community voices, patients and local leaders, showing how their input shaped the hospital’s strategy. We shared transparent data about outcomes and costs. Within three months, two donors upgraded their commitments from $1 million to $3 million each.
What changed? The case started sounding like today. Donors felt part of something current, credible, and human.
Try this next week
Pull up your current case and print it out. Read it through a donor’s eyes. Circle every sentence that describes the organization rather than the difference made in people’s lives.
Revise one key section this quarter. Focus on the vision paragraph. Replace abstract statements (“We seek to promote equity”) with vivid, measurable ideas (“By 2027, every student we serve will have access to a mentor and pathway to a living‑wage career”).
Run one AI variation test. Copy that updated section into ChatGPT or Perplexity or Claude or another writing tool and ask it to create three versions: one for corporate donors, one for families, and one for foundations. Use the ideas you like, and keep your authentic voice.
Want to take a deeper dive?
If you want to hear how leading fundraisers are re‑imagining their cases in 2026, tune into this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast: “Your 2026 Case for Transformational Gifts.”
We’ll unpack why donor expectations are shifting, how AI can help you personalize your case, and how to balance transparency with inspiration. It’s a practical conversation designed to help you move from incremental gifts to truly transformational ones. Listen to the episode now.
I’d love to hear from you
What part of your case are you revising first? Connect with me on LinkedIn and share which section you’re planning to tackle this quarter. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.
Writing a modern case isn’t about fancy language or the newest buzzwords. It’s about telling the truth beautifully, in a way that meets the moment we’re in.
Keep scaling,
Tammy Zonker
Author of Calling All Heroes
Founder of Fundraising Transformed
President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving