Building a compelling case for support is at the heart of effective fundraising and engagement.
In his latest article for DSC, Building a strong case for support: The six questions every charity must answer, Richard Sved, Director at 3rd Sector Mission Control, shares a clear and practical framework to help charities strengthen their messaging, connect with donors and articulate their impact. It’s a must-read for anyone involved in fundraising, strategy or communications.
As the Comms Specialist at Action Hampshire, I’ve always been a strong believer in the power of starting with the why. It’s little old now, but still relevant – something that really clicked for me after watching Simon Sinek’s TED Talk on the Golden Circle and how we engage and inspire people. In a world that’s completely oversaturated with information, it’s not the what or the how that cuts through the noise – it’s the why.
Focusing on the why is what excites people.
It’s where inspiration comes from. It’s what taps into emotion, into values, and into what truly matters to individuals. Richard’s six key questions reinforce this beautifully, particularly around “Why us?” and “Why now?”. These aren’t just strategic questions – they’re emotional connectors. They help us move beyond listing services and outputs, towards telling a story about purpose, urgency, and change.
At Action Hampshire, this is something we continually strive to embed across our communications. When we start with the why, we don’t just inform people – we bring them with us. We help them see why our work matters, why it matters now, and how they can be part of that change.
