8 Free Effective Grant Request Letter Templates

Various corporations, private foundations, and Individuals dispense grants to non-profit organizations for running programs, services, staff remuneration, and expanding the office space. Usually, grants are distributed to non-profit organizations based on a given area of interest.

Therefore, you must research the requirements for a particular funder before addressing a grant request letter.

For most Funding corporations or foundations, typical funding requirements include reference letters from supporting organizations, being accredited as a 501(c )3 non-profit organization, and having a list of an active board of directors who help run your organization.

In the present world, most foundations prefer that you send a letter of inquiry or a proposal letter first instead of a full grant proposal package. This applies especially where you are approaching the organization for funding for the first time. The argument behind this is that it is faster for a non-profit organization to create an excellent first impression of possible funding ideas with a brief one-three-page letter rather than a complete proposal. In any case, the foundation has to approve that your project is good enough for its funding goals and priorities first before they ask you to send your full grant proposal package.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to write an effective grant request letter, what it should contain, tips for constructing the grant request letter, and numerous samples and templates for your reference.

Writing a grant request letter is an art as well as a science. Excellent Grant writing and application skills require you to uniquely bring out your organization’s strengths and problem statement in the most succinct, comprehensive, and accurate way possible. The way you write your grant request letter drastically determines whether you increase or break your chances of getting funding for your campaign or project’s success.

Different funders may require you to present your grant requests using particular formats. However, most grant applications adhere to certain standard elements. These include the following:

Executive summary

This provides a brief overview of information about the organization, its ability to complete the project, needs, action plan methods, and how those served will benefit.

Organizational background

It includes a brief description of the institution regarding demographic location, mission, vision, relationship to the service area, and past project accomplishments in the given area. Usually, this information establishes credibility.

Needs assessment

This is an outline of the problem statement or the need for funding. The needs assessment should be linked to the funder’s goals and priorities.

Program goals and objectives

This section establishes the projected outcomes and benefits in quantifiable terms.

Implementation plan

Includes a brief description of the methods that will be put in place to ensure the set objectives’ achievement. Usually, a timeline and a description of staffing needs are included.

Evaluation plan

Provides a criterion for determining the project’s success either at short-term points or at the end of the project.

The sustainability method/ future funding

This section outlines how the project effort will continue once the grant depletes or how expenses that are not supported by the grant will be covered.

Budget

Include a budget plan/costs covered by the funding source and how the costs were determined.

Attachments

Other funders may require you to attach items such as personnel resumes, letters of support, or proof of 501(c )3 status.

Use the following steps to construct an excellent grant request letter that will help you create a good first impression for your funders and help you receive funding for your non-profit organization.

Write the date

Record the actual current date if you are sending your grant request letter via email or mail immediately. Else, postdate your letter to match the actual mailing date. It is also essential that you give the funding foundation enough time to vet and respond to your request. Thus, it is recommended that you send your grant request letter three to six months before you need the money or item, so the funder has enough time to consider your request.

Write the opening address and the full mailing address

While writing the grant request letter, use the correct and professional personal title of the recipient. You may contact the company or do online research to counter-check the gender, the job title of the contact person, and the corporation’s current mailing address.

Salutation

Make use of a professional salutation before the recipient’s title. If you already know the recipient, you can use their first name after the salutation. However, if you don’t have a personal relationship with the contact person, use their surname after the salutation. Since the grant request letter is business correspondence, use a colon after the salutation and not a comma.

Begin the letter with three bulleted introductory sentences

There are two major approaches to writing these introductory sentences;

• Start your grand request letter using accurate, astounding facts about your target benefactors of the goods or services you are requesting.
• Another approach is by stirring the reader’s memory and connecting him/her to a memory that they loved and experienced personally. If you decide to use this approach, ensure that the memory starts out sad but ends happily.

Using a few sentences, introduce your non-profit organization to the reader

Briefly describe your organization structure, whether non-profit, private operating foundation, or membership association, and provide an overview of your target population or the beneficiaries of your project.

Problem statement

In one paragraph, using a few sentences, explain to the reader why you really need the requested funding, items, or services.

State the measurable objective the donation will help you achieve

Using one to three sentences, state the plans you will take to ensure that organization lives up to its end of the donation through a quantifiable objective.

Include a reason- why you chose the particular company and point to your organization’s knowledge

Current advances in technology have made it possible for us to find almost all the necessary information relating to a company that can play to our advantage. Therefore, use the internet to do your research on the funding organization and share two or three positives about the company in writing. This may include your knowledge of any awards or accolades that the company received or any project they are doing to help shape the community at large.

Show your gratitude and appreciation for the donation

In a few sentences, explain to your recipient how a donation from their organization helps create a partnership in promoting corporate social responsibility at large.

Closing paragraph

Use the closing paragraph to provide your organization’s contact information if the recipient needs clarifications or has further questions. Remember to include a timeline- when you need to have the goods, services, or funds in place. This helps in decision-making for the funding corporation. Sign off your grant request letter using a professional and respectful closing remark. Examples of the closing tag include; “Respectfully, Hopefully, or Sincerely.”

You are stuck on what subtler points to include in your grant request letter to increase your chances of getting a funding request? Download our premium, professional, free customizable, and printable grant request Letter Templates to help you create and generate a great grant request letter for your funding request.