1
00:00:06,100 --> 00:00:09,100
Building a case for support.

2
00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:14,100
This video will tell you what to consider 
when building a compelling case for support

3
00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:17,000
and ow to structure an effective case for 
support.

4
00:00:17,100 --> 00:00:22,500
A case for support is a document which explains 
clearly and concisely,

5
00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:26,600
why you need funding and what you plan to 
do with it.

6
00:00:27,300 --> 00:00:29,100
Fundraising is about change.

7
00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:31,400
The best fundraising is about change.

8
00:00:31,500 --> 00:00:35,100
Is it any surprise that Obama’s presidential 
campaign

9
00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:40,000
was the most successful grassroots fundraising 
campaign of modern times?

10
00:00:40,100 --> 00:00:44,900
But what is the Obama lesson for us working 
in the archive sector?

11
00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:51,000
We need to think about: How does your archive 
change lives?

12
00:00:51,100 --> 00:00:54,600
How are people affected by using their archive?

13
00:00:54,700 --> 00:00:57,700
How can a funder be part of that change?

14
00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:02,600
In the end, isn’t an archive as much about 
people as objects?

15
00:01:02,700 --> 00:01:09,100
I was recently visiting an archive and the 
archivist told me one of their recent visitors 
said:

16
00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:14,000
"I came with a list of people and I'm leaving 
with their personalities."

17
00:01:14,100 --> 00:01:19,400
That essence is what we need to be able to 
communicate in a compelling case for support.

18
00:01:19,500 --> 00:01:23,700
So that potential funders understand the 
difference

19
00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:27,300
information within our archive can make to 
people in their everyday lives.

20
00:01:28,300 --> 00:01:31,400
Take a look at the Black Cultural Archives' 
support page.

21
00:01:31,500 --> 00:01:36,700
They say they “have thrived, thanks to the 
support of organisations and people like 
you.”

22
00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:40,700
They say “We need financial donations;

23
00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:45,600
this will help us grow our collections and 
reach out to people young and old.”

24
00:01:45,700 --> 00:01:48,200
Does this give you a feel of how you can 
help,

25
00:01:48,300 --> 00:01:50,800
and the change they are looking to affect?

26
00:01:52,100 --> 00:01:54,500
The tone and language of your case for support

27
00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:57,600
needs to be relevant and appropriate for 
your audience.

28
00:01:57,700 --> 00:02:00,200
Take a look at both of these examples.

29
00:02:00,300 --> 00:02:05,100
Neither is right or wrong, but both would 
appeal to very difference audiences.

30
00:02:29,900 --> 00:02:34,100
One is fairly formal and factual, the other 
less so,

31
00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:37,500
but perhaps more inviting and inclusive in 
its tone?

32
00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:40,700
Which do you find most engaging and why?

33
00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:47,600
Remember when writing your case for support, 
you are one person writing for another;

34
00:02:47,700 --> 00:02:52,500
if your style is too formal, although the 
content may be incredibly informative,

35
00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,400
it may be too ‘dry’ to make an impact on 
the reader.

36
00:02:55,500 --> 00:02:58,300
Adjust the message to suit your audience.

37
00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:04,200
You will require more than one case for support; 
each audience will need a tailored case for 
support.

38
00:03:05,300 --> 00:03:08,100
You should not submit a case for support

39
00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:12,600
without having endeavoured to find out what 
the objectives of your reader will be.

40
00:03:12,700 --> 00:03:15,900
And, always check: have you written in the 
present tense?

41
00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:19,100
Little hint, the answer should be yes