How to Write a Letter of Inquiry
Writing a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) can seem like a daunting task, but it's actually a fantastic opportunity to showcase your nonprofit's mission and programs. Think of it as your chance to make a great first impression on a potential funder. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you craft an excellent LOI that stands out and gets noticed.
1. Follow the Foundation's Instructions
First things first, if the foundation provides specific instructions on how to begin the application process and what to include in the LOI, follow them to the letter. These guidelines are often available on the foundation's website under a section like “How To Apply.” Make sure to read them thoroughly and adhere to them closely. This shows that you respect their process and are detail-oriented.
2. Remember: It’s Persuasive Writing!
Your LOI isn’t just a list of facts; it’s a piece of persuasive writing. You need to make your audience care about your proposed program and trust you to execute it well. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
Be Engaging: Your LOI should be easy to read from start to finish. Someone should WANT to read the entire thing.
Be Concise: Avoid unnecessary sentences or clauses. Get to the point and keep the reader’s attention.
Look Good: Ensure your LOI is well-formatted and well-spaced. Use bullet points to break up long paragraphs and make it visually appealing.
Stand-Out Details: Include interesting and wonderful details that make the reader say, “Whoa, that’s really cool!” You don’t need to exaggerate, just highlight what makes your program special.
3. Key Components of an LOI
A great LOI has four distinct sections. Whether it’s a free-form LOI or an online application with specific questions and character limits, this structure will help you cover all the bases.
Summary of Request - This introduction should be able to stand on its own, concisely explaining the purpose of your program and what grant funding will help you accomplish. The most crucial part of your LOI is the 1-2 paragraph Summary of Your Request. A foundation program officer might only read this section, so it needs to be compelling and able to stand on its own. Here’s a quick recipe for a compelling summary:
Need/Issue: Start with a sentence about the issue you’re addressing.
Proposed Solution: Follow with two sentences about your organization’s proposed solution.
Remarkable Highlight: Include one sentence that highlights what’s most remarkable about your organization or program.
Funding Request: End with one or two sentences about the funding you seek and what will be achieved with it.
Statement of Need - Explain what issues your program addresses and why the foundation should be concerned. Use objective statistics or figures of the geographic area you servce to illustrate the scale of the need. Make sure to connect emotionally with the reader without overdoing it.
Program Details - Detail the Who, What, Why, When, and How of your program. Help the reader visualize the program. Include a bulleted list of program goals that the foundation can quickly see as admirable and important.
Organizational Background and Accomplishments - Introduce your organization. Highlight your accomplishments so far and explain why the foundation should trust you to plan and execute the program. Share your philosophy, the strength of your partnerships, and your importance to the community you serve.
By following these steps, you can craft an LOI that not only adheres to the foundation’s guidelines but also engages the reader and showcases the importance and impact of your work. Are you in finding and securing funders that align with your organization’s mission? Reach out today and discover how I can help you craft a winning LOI and much more, quickly and effectively. Let’s take your fundraising to the next level!
