A letter of interest is an introductory document expressing an organization's desire to receive grant funding.The letter of interest is used to gauge the foundation's interest in funding the project.A two to three page letter of interest must include important details about the project and convince the granting foundation of its importance.
Step 1: Know who your audience is.
You should learn everything you can about the grant.You can learn about the foundation's history and milestones so that you can think of the ways in which your vision is consistent with theirs.It is not always easy to learn about a non-local foundation, so try some unconventional methods, like reading their press releases.You can find the number at the Foundationcenter.org.
Step 2: Start on your proposal.
The proposal can only help the letter of inquiry if it is written concurrently with it.The broad outlines of your proposal should not be changed even though you apply for a grant.The research and writing you do for your proposal should help you design a more effective pitch in the letter of inquiry.Being aware of those details makes you seem more knowledgeable.
Step 3: In concrete terms, what the grant is funding is what you should think about.
If you are awarded the grant, your organization or academic department may benefit.Most foundations don't want to write a check for general operating expenses even though the department or organization as a whole will benefit.They want to be able to point out what their grant accomplished.Think of a program launched, a study completed, or a building constructed.Your complete proposal will include a detailed budget, but you should explain any shortfalls in funding.If you apply for a $15,000 grant to help build a clinic, the foundation will want to know where the rest of the money will come from.
Step 4: Instructions and guidelines for submitting a letter of interest should be reviewed.
Instructions with respect to length, format and content need to be followed exactly.You don't want to be disqualified because of a technicality.The preferred format for the request for letters of inquiry will be specified by most foundations.Check their website, email or call them to make sure there aren't any special guidelines you need to follow.
Step 5: Send your letter to the grant reviewer.
The instructions on the website of most of the larger foundations specify who you should send the letter to.If you want to apply to a smaller foundation, just call or email them and ask who you should send the letter to.Don't make your letter stick out for the wrong reasons.Salutations and honorifics are used.Ms.Smith, rather than Mrs.The way to go is with Rudy Lynn Smith.Full details of the street address, name, and position are included in the address block.
Step 6: A summary statement is what you should begin your letter with.
The first paragraph of your letter of inquiry should stand on its own.Your summary statement should introduce you or your organization, describe your position on the problem, how much money you need to fix it, and how long you will need it for.For example, Mrs.Smith, I am writing to let you know that my organization is interested in your grant.Our organization is active in areas that are consistent with the goals of the grant.The problem we seek to address is very large.Louisiana is the only state that doesn't require computer or computer science classes to graduate from high school.Nola Code is going to point this state in the right direction.After becoming a nonprofit corporation last year, we began to teach the curriculum to the students.In less than a year, we have taught more than 1,500 kids in Orleans Parish the rudiments of coding and the basics of computer science, and we are requesting $160,000 to get fully staffed, so we can reach every student.The benefactor should have no doubts about when, where, and how the money will be spent after reading the first paragraph.
Step 7: Your summary should include a description of the organization.
People are drawn to narrative, so don't go on too much of a detour and tell the story of your organization.You should include completed projects and recognition and awards in your description of your past accomplishments.You may want to tell the reviewers how you became involved as a leader.Bring a little personal touch to the organization's story, whether it was you and a few others who began as a group of volunteers, or you were drawn to their work as an outsider.In order to convince the people responsible for grant funding that you are capable of completing the project, this section should include familiarizing the foundation with your organization's work.In order to establish credibility, identify other grants you've received and explain what they did.
Step 8: Explain why the nonprofit should help.
Your organization's financial needs should not be the sole focus of your statement of need.You should have convinced the foundation that you are able to use their funds to see your project through, now you need to convince them that there is a real need for such a project.The story of the area is told in this paragraph.The story of Nola Code would begin with the mass layoffs and reorganization of the school system.The organization is similar to the rebuilding process that took place in the city.
Step 9: Give your audience a time frame for your project.
The purpose of this section is to show your grasp of the technical or logistical considerations involved with your project.This section needs to sound plausible if it is to be believed.It could be the benchmark of having all the new staff hired in 90 days and then trained within 120 days so they can get to work as soon as possible.List the other foundations you are applying to if you write another grant proposal.If there are aspects of the project that are not covered by the grant for which you are expressing interest, you need to know the costs of those other aspects and how you will pay them.
Step 10: It's a good idea to summarize your project and financial need.
As with any strong conclusion, start with a very specific point, an anecdote about the first kid taught by Nola Code, and make the paragraph more general as it continues.Let me know if you would like to submit a full grant proposal soon.