6 Best Letter of Support Templates (How to Write)

A letter of support is an important document for advocacy and can significantly impact the success of a proposal or initiative.

The letter is usually addressed to a specific person or organization and is intended to demonstrate that the writer approves of the person, project, or idea in question. Since this letter determines an individual’s chance of acquiring what they need, it must be written convincingly. The objective of the letter should be captured to control the narrative.

Letters of support are usually accompanied by financial reports and fundraising letters when non-profit organizations apply for funding. These letters demonstrate that individuals outside the organization’s operation give credence to its goals. If the letter is persuasive enough, it may increase the organization’s chances of acquiring funding to expand its operations.

Letters of support may be used in various contexts, such as in a job application process, application for a grant proposal, or during a political campaign. Anyone outside a non-profit organization can draft a letter of support. These may be individuals the organization has engaged with on previous occasions.

Other people who can draft this letter include:

• A friend
• A family member
• A donor
• A colleague
• A stakeholder
• A congressional representative
• A local leader

This article will guide you in writing a letter to support a grantee applying for a donation from a potential grantor. It will also discuss the significance of support letters and factors to pre-consider. Downloadable letter of support templates and samples are also provided to ease the creation process.

You can download the following templates for free:

Why are Letters of Support Important?

Letters of support are essential since they serve as a testimonial and provide third-party validation for the grantee. They help demonstrate to a grantor that the grantee is worthy of support and has a network of individuals or organizations behind them. The letters illustrate the individual’s commitment to an initiative and that that the planned collaboration is genuine.

In grant applications, for example, a letter of support can demonstrate the collective impact and highlight the proposed project’s potential. Letters of support address the grantee’s qualifications and abilities to complete the project. They build relationships and collaborations by demonstrating that a guarantor or organization is willing to endorse and support the grantee publicly.

A letter of support may also be used by a landlord to grant permission for a specific project. Local authorities may tender their approval by a letter of support. Most times, this approval is a form provided by the grant provider.

Support Letter Vs. Memorandum of Agreement

A non-profit organization may include a letter of support and a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in its application to boost its chances of securing the grant. Still, they serve different purposes and contain different components.

An individual or organization writes a letter of support to advocate for a grantee applying for a donation and tender support for their mission. The letter details the writer’s relationship to the grantee or project being endorsed and examples of how the writer believes the grantee or project will benefit from the donation.

On the other hand, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) is a legally binding document that outlines the terms and conditions of a partnership between two or more parties. The agreement contains details about the roles and responsibilities of each party and specific deliverables to be achieved. The writer also details how they shall support the grantee by providing funding, goods, or services. An MOA may also include information about funding, timelines, and essential elements related to the collaboration.

A grantor may agree to fund the grantee if an MOA is presented with the application in place of a letter of support. However, they may reject a letter of support that is presented in place of an MOA.

Since a letter of support may significantly affect donation approval, it is critical to ensure it is drafted convincingly.

You ought to make the following considerations when preparing it:

Review the grant application guidelines

Review the grant application details before drafting a letter of support. You can request the grantee to assist you with the guidelines or search for them online. Additionally, ask the grantee to provide statistics, key facts, and what programs they plan to implement should they receive the funding.

Furthermore, request the contact information of the individual receiving the letter to ensure you address it to the appropriate person. You may also request previous letters of support written on the grantee’s behalf to give you an idea of what the letter entails. By understanding these factors, you can tailor the letter to align with the priorities of the application.

Identify your purpose

Decide whether you want to provide additional information to the grant recipient about the grantee or endorse their proposal. Determine what the grantor is specifically looking for so you can present possible positive outcomes. The purpose of the letter should be succinct and should be accompanied by specific examples and evidence to support the claims you make in the letter.

Consider your reader

Consider the outlook of the organization or individual reading your letter. The recipient may be interested in specific aspects of the grantee’s operations. Knowing the information they are interested in may increase the chances of a positive outcome. Use a professional tone when highlighting the grantee’s credibility and viability of their project.

Avoid unnecessary jargon when writing the letter and provide clear information your reader will understand easily.

Enlist your key points

By outlining critical points before writing, you can ensure that the letter is well-organized and easy to read. List key facts, figures, statistics, and quotes to demonstrate your support for the grantee. This will add to the grantee’s professionalism and credibility.

Enlisting the key points before writing helps focus the letter on the most important and relevant information. This increases the likelihood that the letter will be persuasive and memorable, bolstering the chances of the donation being awarded.

Organize your information

Organize your key points to help to make the letter properly structured and easier to read. This will help you stick to crucial information when drafting the letter, increasing the likelihood of the grantee receiving the funding. It will also help save time and effort since you will avoid rewriting the letter.

Create an outline

Create an outline of the key points you want to include in the letter. This will help you focus on critical information and adequately structure the letter. An overview provides a clear roadmap to follow while drafting the letter, avoiding the need to revise or reorganize the letter.

Develop a rough draft

A rough draft allows you to see the letter as a whole and make necessary revisions before the final draft. This helps you create a polished letter, demonstrating the grantee’s credibility. It will also help identify missing information and inconsistencies in the letter you can address before submitting the final draft.

The letter is divided into three parts: an opening statement that identifies the project, one or two main body sections that highlight your link to the grantee requesting funds, and a closing statement that summarizes essential topics.

Highlighted below is a step-by-step guide for you to follow when drafting a letter of support:

Step 1: Include a header

Include your name, the organization’s name, physical address, and contact information on the letter. In the next line, provide the current calendar date of drafting the letter, the recipient’s name, organization, physical address, and contact information.

This can be presented as shown:

Thrombey Foundation
10141 NE 62^nd St
Kirkland, Washington (WA), 98033
(425) 739-7344
www.thrombey.org
25 February 2023
Casey Merle
Director
Office Of Welfare Services
9436 Florence Hill Rd
Kirkland, Washington (WA), 98033
(812) 594-2637
[email protected]

Step 2: Add a subject line

After the header, write a subject line that concisely summarizes the main topic of the letter. An informative subject line helps the recipient understand the letter’s purpose and pinpoint critical points.

For example:

Subject: Endorsement of Bauer Foundation’s Proposal

Step 3: Greet the recipient

Begin the letter by addressing the recipient with a proper greeting. Write “Dear” followed by the name of the recipient. To be specific, you must determine whether they are referred to as “Dr.”, “Mrs.”, “Mr.”, or “Ms.”.

Step 4: Introduce yourself

Provide an engaging introduction that will entice the recipient to keep reading. The most straightforward approach is to inform the recipient who you are and why they should take note of the letter. In the first few lines, state the purpose of your letter clearly. An emphasis on your relationship with the grantee should follow this.

This can be presented as shown below:

I am writing to express my strong support for Leighton Briar’s application for the Leland Community grant. As a Liaison Officer at Crockett Children’s Home, I have had the opportunity to work closely with her and witness firsthand the impact of her efforts on our community. This grant would significantly further her mission and positively impact the lives of those she serves.

Step 5: Explain why you support the project

Explain why financing is required for a new venture or planned project. Clearly express your belief in the guarantee, their intended project, and its positive outcomes. Ensure that you adequately define the relationship that exists between yourself and the recipient. Finally, clarify any immediate concerns that may emerge at the end of the prospective financing body.

For example:

The Hope Foundation team has been working tirelessly to eradicate homelessness. Their efforts have focused on seeking alternative and affordable homes, which have significantly impacted the South Side of Chicago.
The Presidential grant would be a valuable asset to the organization, allowing it to expand home placement programs, hire additional staff, and purchase office equipment. Furthermore, a solid plan is in place to ensure the funds are used efficiently and effectively.

Step 6: Wish the grantor well

Finally, provide a summary of all crucial topics in the support letter. While giving final comments, you must emphasize the significance of the recipient’s support.

This can be presented as shown below:

Thank you for considering Betterhurst Organization for the Presidential Community Youth grant. It would have a significant and lasting impact on the community.
I appreciate your time and consideration and would be happy to provide any additional information should you need it.

Step 7: Include your signature and title

Give a closing salutation followed by your name, signature, and designation at the bottom of the letter. Ensure the signature is in either blue or black ink. Your signature adds an intimate touch to the letter, indicating it is from you and that you approve of the contents.

You can present this as shown below:

Yours Sincerely,
Maitland Robbie
Chief of Operations
Acacia Organization

When writing a letter of support, you should clarify why you believe the grantee deserves the grantor’s support. Clearly outline how the individual, business, or organization applying for the grant will achieve its objectives should it receive the funds.

Your letter should be professional, well-presented, and free of any errors. To achieve this, download a letter of support template online to provide a structure for organizing and presenting the information in the letter. It can also help you save time as it has placeholders you can quickly edit with the relevant information. A template allows you to tailor the letter to the specific needs of the donation.