Case study is like narrating the actual life story of a person, community, group or section of society. Highlights of a case study are the problems being faced by them and how the NGO has helped them to address those particular problems. Thus, it is a testimonial about a unique problem or a success story that must be shared with the audience. It is, in fact, an excellent sales tool if used wisely. The attention of target audience is drawn towards the NGO and the work being done by it. This awareness and attention leads to mobilization of support to the NGO. As a result, the NGO’s reputation increases and it wins further support in form of money and human resource. This is also the parameter to evaluate whether the NGO is working effectively or not. To write a case study you need to identify the target first; then carry out an extensive research on it; analyze the gathered information and restructure it to give a definite meaningful data.
Chanakya NGO Consultancy can provide expert support in preparing effective and result-driven case studies by guiding in data collection, structuring narrative formats, ensuring alignment with the NGO’s mission and making the story more impactful for donors, partners and supporters. This strategic assistance can strengthen credibility of NGO.
After doing this initial work, the practical process of case study writing begins. It has following steps:
Identifying the target
You have to identify the target on which case study is proposed to be written. It can be any individual, group, community or section of society but must be directly related to the organization’s mission, purpose and goal. Case study must hold some inspiration for others. The subject should be able to draw attention so that future projects may be generated.
Research & Analysis
After choosing the target and subject, start researching on it. Have to collect information about their past, present and future. You can use various tools to collect data. These include: personal interviews, surveys, library, internet, journals, and focused group discussions. Organize this data into a meaningful structure at one place to further analyze it. This collated data is further interpreted into simpler sentences.
Introduction
Give the introduction a catchy headline. It builds interest of readers. With the help of the introduction part the essence of the case study can be conveyed to the readers. They must have an idea about the problem plaguing target community/ person and contribution of the NGO towards addressing it.
Purpose and Emphasis
The main purpose of a case study is to generate leads for future projects and funds. Therefore, it must have a definite reason which must describe the context of case study right at the beginning. Try to find out solutions instead of magnifying the problems. Elaborate and justify the impact by quoting statistical data of the conditions before and after the NGO’s help. Our professional consultants can craft this purpose section with a donor-focused approach, linking it to funding goals and community impact by adding measurable value. Our Professional consultants can proceed with a donor-focused approach, linking it to funding goals and community impact by adding measurable value.
Format of NGO Case Study
Format of a case study varies according to requirements like length limit, details etc. Terms used in the case study must be explained right at the spot or can be included separately at the end in glossary. You have to explain the abbreviations when it is used for the first time. Keep the language clear, precise and simple. The text must be structured and linked logically. Give a brief introduction that explains the background of the subject. The case study must display your problem solving skills.
Two types of case studies are popular: lengthy and short.
Lengthy ones are 1500-3000 words long and generally published quarterly. The target person is evaluator or researcher. It has inspirational value and tells about the type of work NGO is interested in doing in the near future.
Short Case Study is 500 words long. It is published bi-monthly and the target is anyone with shortage of time to read a lengthy one. It represents the work NGO is habitual of doing on a regular basis. The Case Study should be concluded by reflecting on the outcomes of the NGO’s work.
Basic template for writing a case study is:
- Short & Catchy Title (It should convey the main idea of the story)
- Explain the situation: whether it is a success story or to overcome a problem)
- Introduction (background detail)
- Story’s uniqueness (its central part)
- The Conclusion (Result and summary: How the situation and any change in it can be for better or worse)
The formal approach of writing a case study revolves around following sub points:
- Overview/ Abstract: The problem against which awareness needs to be raised is described. Properly organize every section of the case study. Explain the background of the case study.
- Topography: Include tabulated data of the relevant information, for example if the topic is women empowerment give tabulated data of women literacy in the specific region of the organization’s operation.
- Socio-economic data: include demographic information. This includes population size, age structure, unemployment rate, illiteracy rate, economic growth rate etc. Socio-economic data depicts the exact situation of the area covered under case study.
- Issues prevalent in the area and their impact on case study: mention details about the issues prevalent in the target area. Discuss their impact on the case study so that readers know how difficult it is to collect information.
- Outcomes and their sustainability: This is the last part of the case study. NGO’s impact and its magnitude of work are shown here. This section of case study opens up to the scope for future projects. A satisfying result transforms the case study reader into a satisfied client.
- References and glossary: this section includes information about the sources through which data was collected, tools implemented, references (if any), abbreviations, glossary of terms, priorities and recommendations etc. Organization’s contact number, E-mail id and address can be also mentioned if it is prepared separately apart from Annual Report of profile of NGO.
- Time schedule: This is optional. It contains the details about time and effort spent on preparing the case study.
- Lesson learnt and conclusion: this part discusses strengths and weaknesses of the current projects. You can appeal the audience to multiply efforts in form of funds or human resource. Specific breakthrough can be applied to similar programs in future. Effective case study motivates others to replicate the success of a small scale program into a large scale one. Similar possibilities should be discussed here. Give a summary distilling the essential features in 100-150 words. Summary must deliver the complete essence of the case study.
If you need service of our professional NGO consultant to prepare case studies that are composed to meet required standards and grant expectations then you can contact NGO Consultancy Service.