Grantwriting: Letters of Inquiry

Marissa Lewis is experienced in non-profit management as both grantmaker and grantseeker, including fundraising, strategy, grant/grantee management, and board development in staff, consultant, and volunteer/Board capacities. She is a strong administrator with a talent for building and strengthening organizational culture, along with the necessary systems and frameworks. Her 20-year career has been anchored in ensuring individuals, communities, and organizations have access to all the tools they need to succeed. Marissa is a graduate of Binghamton University in New York and did graduate work at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

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As a consultant to mission-based organizations for nearly two decades, Molly Penn has deep experience working across many aspects of the nonprofit sector - including community development, education, human service, social justice and the arts - to help organizations become stronger and have a greater impact. She began her professional life in development roles at a large NYC arts nonprofit as well as held senior development staff positions at various smaller organizations. She has an MBA in Management from Fordham University, a Masters from Columbia University and a BA from Bard College. She is certified in Appreciative Inquiry change management, Lean process analysis, Hogan personality inventory, and trained as a professional coach. Molly serves on the board of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and on the selection committee for Nonprofit New York’s Nonprofit Excellence Awards.  

Grantwriting Workbook

Grantwriting Curriculum

Before You Apply …

The Letter of Inquiry

Elements of a Typical Letter of Inquiry�

1. Introduction

Short executive summary:

• Name of your organization
• Amount of money requested
• Description of the project
• Optional: explain how the project fits with the funder's guidelines and funding interests

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Elements of a Typical Letter of Inquiry�

2. Organizational Description

Be concise!

• Concentrate on your organization's ability to meet the need that you've stated
• Give a brief history of your organization and provide an overview of your programs
• Connect what you currently do and what you want to accomplish with the requested funding (why you)

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Elements of a Typical Letter of Inquiry

3. Statement of Need

Explain the need that can be met by your project.

• Describe the target population and geographic area (asset-based language)
• Provide a few significant pieces of data
• Use examples where you can

Elements of a Typical Letter of Inquiry

4. Methodology

How will you solve the need?

• Describe the project succinctly
• Include the major activities, names, and titles of key project staff
• Describe your project's objectives

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Elements of a Typical Letter of Inquiry�

5. Other Funding Sources

If you are approaching other agencies or nonprofits for support of this project, mention them in a brief paragraph.

• Include whatever funding you've already gotten
• Explain how you expect to support the project after the start-up period

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Elements of a Typical Letter of Inquiry

6. Summary

Restate the intent of your project

• Invite additional questions
• Thank the funder for his or her time and consideration
• Include any attachments asked for in the funder's guidelines 
• A budget may or may not be required for your letter of inquiry
• Check the funder's guidelines: some guidelines are precise, and it is important to follow them exactly

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How to Vet Your LOI

• Did I state the name of the project and the amount of money I'm seeking in the first paragraph?
• Does my second paragraph elaborate adequately about the project and any related projects?
• Did I include our mission statement?
• Did I lay out the need for the project?
• Have I been clear about the outcomes the project will achieve?
• Is the implementation of the project clear?
• Have I made a case for a good fit between this project and the foundation's priorities?
• Did I include information about any funding already committed?
• Have I included the contact details for a particular person who can answer questions?

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When to write the LOI

Considerations for Timing

• LOIs are limited in space!
• Some people like to write their whole narrative first, then summarize it in the LOI
• Others feel it’s faster to write the LOI first, then flesh it out if/when they get permission to apply

Brevity is the Soul of Wit!