How to Make a Fundraising Presentation/Pitch Deck [A Guide]
- Ink Narrates | The Presentation Design Agency
- Dec 11, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 1
A few weeks ago, our client Alex asked us a question while we were building his fundraising presentation. He said,
“How do I convince investors without sounding like I’m begging for money?”
Our Creative Director answered,
“Stop pitching the business. Start pitching the belief.”
That answer didn’t come out of nowhere. As a presentation design agency, we work on many fundraising presentations throughout the year. And in the process, we’ve observed one common challenge: most decks read like a business school assignment instead of a pitch someone actually wants to say yes to.
So, in this blog, we’ll talk about how to make a fundraising presentation that gets the job done without sounding robotic or desperate.
In case you didn't know, we specialize in only one thing: making presentations. We can help you by designing your slides and writing your content too.
What is a Fundraising Presentation, Really?
Let’s strip this down. A fundraising presentation is not just a deck. It’s a pitch. A performance. A conversation starter. It’s how you walk into a room full of skeptical investors and make them believe that betting on you is smarter than parking their money in index funds.
But here’s where most people mess it up. They treat it like a data dump. Slide after slide of market analysis, revenue projections, and product features. Yes, those things matter. But they’re not what opens wallets. Belief does. Confidence does. Clarity does.
Your fundraising presentation is supposed to do one job: get investors to trust that you know what you’re doing, that there’s a real opportunity, and that you’re the right person to build it. That’s it. If your deck doesn’t do that, it doesn’t matter how beautiful your graphs are.
So stop thinking of your presentation as a document. Start thinking of it as a transfer of conviction.
How We Make a Fundraising Presentation [Expert Guide]
Step 1: Crafting a Compelling Narrative
The foundation of any successful fundraising presentation is a strong narrative. The people you’re presenting to—investors, donors, or partners—want to connect with the story behind your mission. And that story should grab their attention and make them care.
Here’s how we create that narrative:
Start With the Problem
The first thing we focus on is defining the problem you’re solving. We make sure it’s framed in a way that your audience will immediately relate to. For example, we might say:
“Imagine a world where thousands of children go without clean water every day. That’s the reality for millions in remote communities.”
By showing the human side of the issue, we make the problem personal. The audience should feel the urgency of what you’re trying to fix.
Present Your Solution as the Hero
Every good story needs a hero. And in your pitch deck, that hero is your product, service, or initiative. We frame your solution as the answer to the problem, highlighting the ways it addresses the core issues.
Paint the Bigger Picture
Now that you’ve shown the problem and your solution, we zoom out to show the bigger vision. We make sure the audience understands not just how you’re tackling the problem today but how your solution has the potential to create lasting change.
Step 2: Structuring the Deck for Impact
The structure of your deck is key to keeping your audience engaged and guiding them through your story seamlessly. Whether you’re presenting to investors, donors, or partners, a clean, logical flow is essential.
Here’s the structure we recommend:
Title Slide: Start with your company or organization’s name, tagline, and a striking visual.
Problem: Clearly define the challenge you’re addressing, with supporting data or emotional appeals.
Solution: Showcase how your product, service, or initiative effectively solves the problem.
Market Opportunity (for investors): If you’re raising capital, highlight the size of the opportunity and market trends.
Social Impact (for donors): For donor audiences, focus on how their support will directly impact the community or cause.
Traction: Showcase your progress—whether it’s revenue, user numbers, or success stories.
Business Model (for investors): How will your venture make money or create sustainable change?
Team: Showcase the expertise and passion of the team driving the project forward.
Financials / Fundraising Goal: Be transparent about your financial needs, including how you’ll use the funds.
The Ask: End with a clear, specific request for support—whether that’s funding, partnerships, or collaboration.
Step 3: Adding Layers of Differentiation
Let’s face it—most pitch decks look the same. That’s why we focus on creating a pitch that stands out. We add depth by emphasizing what makes your project unique.
Why Now?
It’s essential to answer the question: Why should your audience care right now? We help you identify trends, societal shifts, or pressing needs that make your solution urgent.
Humanizing the Story
While facts and figures are crucial, storytelling is what connects people to your cause. Whether it's sharing a compelling success story, a client testimonial, or a moving narrative from the field, we make sure there’s a human touch in every deck.
Show the Bigger Impact
Donors and investors want to feel like their contributions will make a real difference. We show how your work will have lasting effects on the community or market you're serving—whether it's changing lives or disrupting an entire industry.
Step 4: Perfecting the Design
Design is where your fundraising deck can really shine—or fall flat. A cluttered slide, inconsistent branding, or distracting visuals can take the focus away from your message.
Here’s how we ensure a polished design:
Clean Layouts with Visual Hierarchy
We avoid overcrowded slides. Instead, we use clean layouts that emphasize the most important elements and allow key points to stand out.
Effective Data Visualization
Whether you’re sharing impact statistics, growth numbers, or donor goals, we turn raw data into compelling visuals. Infographics, charts, and graphs make information digestible and impactful.
Branding That Reflects Your Mission
Your deck should feel like an extension of your brand. Whether you're a startup with bold colors or a nonprofit with a softer, mission-driven tone, we ensure your design aligns with the essence of your organization.
Step 5: Rehearsing the Pitch
A beautifully designed deck is just one part of the equation. The other is delivery. Whether you’re presenting to investors or donors, the way you communicate your message can make or break your pitch.
Practice Your Delivery
We encourage clients to rehearse their pitch in front of others—team members, friends, or even in front of the mirror. Confidence is key when delivering your pitch.
Anticipate Questions
Investors, donors, and partners will likely have questions. We help you prepare for the tough ones—whether that’s about your financial model, your social impact, or how you plan to scale.
Engage, Don’t Lecture
Pitching isn’t about reading off slides. It’s about creating a conversation. We coach our clients to speak with enthusiasm, warmth, and a sense of curiosity, keeping their audience engaged throughout.
Unique Insights: What You May Not Have Thought Of
Want to take your fundraising deck to the next level? Here are a few unique elements we often add:
A “Social Proof” Slide: Add testimonials from donors, users, or partners that prove your concept works.
Timeline to Success: Create a visual roadmap showing key milestones and how the funds will help you achieve them.
The "Impact First" Approach: For donor-focused presentations, we start by showing the immediate and long-term impact of their contribution before diving into the details.
Why Hire Us to Build your Presentation?
If you're reading this, you're probably working on a presentation right now. You could do it all yourself. But the reality is - that’s not going to give you the high-impact presentation you need. It’s a lot of guesswork, a lot of trial and error. And at the end of the day, you’ll be left with a presentation that’s “good enough,” not one that gets results. On the other hand, we’ve spent years crafting thousands of presentations, mastering both storytelling and design. Let us handle this for you, so you can focus on what you do best.