Letter of inquiry to a foundation
=================================

Letter of inquiry

[ORGANIZATION NAME]

[ORGANIZATION ADDRESS]

EIN: [EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER]

[DATE]

[CONTACT NAME AND TITLE]

[FOUNDATION NAME]

[FOUNDATION ADDRESS]

Dear [CONTACT NAME],

Introduction

[ORGANIZATION NAME] respectfully requests $[AMOUNT] to support [PROJECT NAME], which will [WHAT THE PROJECT DOES, IN ONE SENTENCE] for [WHO BENEFITS] in [PLACE] from [START DATE] to [END DATE]. We are writing to ask whether [FOUNDATION NAME] would welcome a full proposal.

[ONE SENTENCE ON WHY THIS FITS THE FUNDER'S STATED PRIORITIES, USING THEIR OWN WORDS WHERE YOU CAN.]

About us

[ORGANIZATION NAME] is a [STATE] nonprofit and a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in [YEAR]. Our mission is [MISSION STATEMENT]. Each year we [ONE OR TWO FACTS ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORK, WITH NUMBERS FROM YOUR OWN RECORDS, FOR EXAMPLE: SERVE 300 FAMILIES THROUGH OUR WEEKLY PANTRY].

[ONE SENTENCE ON WHY YOU ARE WELL PLACED TO DO THIS PROJECT: EXPERIENCE, TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY, PARTNERS.]

The need

[TWO TO FOUR SENTENCES ON THE PROBLEM IN YOUR COMMUNITY. USE LOCAL FACTS YOU CAN BACK UP, AND NAME THE SOURCE, FOR EXAMPLE YOUR OWN WAITING LIST OR A COUNTY REPORT.]

[ONE SHORT, REAL EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE NEED LOOKS LIKE, WITH NAMES AND DETAILS REMOVED.]

What we will do

[TWO TO FOUR SENTENCES ON THE PROJECT: THE MAIN ACTIVITIES, WHO WILL LEAD THEM, AND WHEN.]

By the end of the project, we expect to [ONE TO THREE OUTCOMES YOU CAN MEASURE, FOR EXAMPLE: HELP 40 ADULTS PASS THE CITIZENSHIP INTERVIEW]. We will measure this by [HOW YOU WILL COUNT OR CHECK IT].

Budget and other support

The project will cost $[TOTAL PROJECT COST] over [LENGTH OF TIME]. We are asking [FOUNDATION NAME] for $[AMOUNT], which will pay for [MAIN COSTS THE GRANT WILL COVER].

[OTHER FUNDING: NAME OTHER FUNDERS WHO HAVE COMMITTED OR WHOM YOU ARE ASKING, AND ANY OTHER INCOME, SUCH AS DONATIONS OR FEES.]

Closing

Thank you for considering this request. We would be glad to send a full proposal, answer any questions or arrange a visit. You can reach me at [EMAIL] or [PHONE].

Sincerely,

[NAME]

[TITLE]

[ORGANIZATION NAME]