grant application letter of intent

Grant Letter of Intent

A letter of intent (LOI) for a grant is a formal request of a nonprofit organization that seeks financing for its charitable purposes. It is generally sent to foundations that require submitting a letter of intent before sending a formal application with a full grant proposal. Some foundations might also call a letter of intent a “pre-proposal”.

A letter of intent helps save time for organizations who want to convey their ideas to a granting foundation without the need to spend a lot of time on a standard proposal. Grant LOIs are quite short – generally, from one to three pages. Organizations whose grant LOIs are considered worth attention will be invited to submit a full proposal service.

A letter of intent is also a way to go for candidates who want to reach out “cold” to a foundation that offers good conditions for applicants. The letter helps prospective grantees introduce themselves in the best way.

Grant LOIs have different lengths and types. Some foundations might require them; others not. Regardless of the requirements of organizations, sending a letter of intent will help the committee determine whether the candidate is a good fit upfront.

Read the article further to learn the contents of a letter of intent and where to find a free fillable letter of intent template .

Create a free high quality Grant Letter of Intent online now!

Build Your Document

Answer a few simple questions to make your document in minutes

Save and Print

Save progress and finish on any device, download and print anytime

Sign and Use

Your valid, lawyer-approved document is ready

What Should Be Described in a Grant LOI?

Tips on creating a great loi, how to fill out a letter of intent for a grant, sample grant letter of intent.

An applicant writing a letter of inquiry for a grant should keep in mind the main goal – to captivate the committee and get an invitation to start a full grant process.

There is no standard form for a grant LOI, which is why contents and length are optional. But what is recommended to include in a grant LOI is:

• the purpose and goals of the organization
• the amount of financing requested
• the period for which financing is needed
• description of the project that needs financing
• most recent balance sheet and income statement

An additional piece of information that might be included in the grant letter of inquiry is a copy of an IRS determination letter. It is the letter that makes nonprofit organizations exempt from federal income tax and lets investors claim their financing to the project on their annual tax returns.

As well as that, the LOI might include a line-item budget of the project for the financing requested. Such a budget lets group the financial statement by category and shows the comparison between the past financial information and estimated numbers for the future.

There are certain tips every applicant should keep in mind regardless of whether they send it as an email letter or an application form provided by the needed organization.

Make sure that your letter is brief (preferably, not bigger than one page) and clearly indicates your main grant proposal. However, if the requirement of the organization is more than one page, it should be followed.

Follow the structure of a business letter: put the address of your entity in the top left side of the LOI and the address of the foundation beneath it.

Learn the names of people in charge of receiving grant LOIs and don’t use generic wordings such as “Dear Mr./Mrs.”

If there are any directions on writing letters of intent provided by the organization, they should be followed strictly. Make sure you understand the expectations of the foundation before drafting a grant LOI. For instance, don’t try to overdo the first impression by attaching materials that are not required by the organization. However, if budgets and other attachments are required in a LOI, they are necessary to include.

Learn how much financing you should ask for before putting together the budget by analyzing past awarded projects similar to yours. This will help make necessary adjustments to your project’s budget.

Before sending a LOI, you should carefully proofread it.

Pay attention to the executive summary in your LOI. It is the part of the letter that goes first and it should be an attention-grabber that will make the readers continue reading.

Make sure you specified the name of the grant you are applying for and a short description of your project along with the arguments on how the project will match the interests of the funding organization.

Provide details of your project by including major activities, names, and titles of key project staff members, target audience, geographic area, statistics, etc.

Analyze how your programs are different than other similar nonprofit companies operating in the same field. Define all the outstanding features of your projects that make you look different in the eyes of the foundation and prove that you make a difference for your target audience.

Letters of intent should show how the budgeting will help accomplish the goals of the nonprofit.

As a common courtesy, include thanks to the recipient for taking their time and considering your LOI with the appropriate closing statements such as “Sincerely” or “Respectfully”.

Use the LOI template provided on our website to get an idea of what to include in your LOI.

A letter of inquiry for a grant should be crafted thoroughly in several steps.

Step 1 – Name and address of the sender and recipient

First, provide the name of your organization in the top left corner of the letter. Then, include the effective date of the LOI. Beneath it, write down the name and title of the person who represents the foundation with regards to giving grants and the address of the foundation.

Step 2 – Subject

In an email LOI, make sure to write the subject of the LOI. Generally, the name of the grant would be enough.

Step 3 – Purpose

As we have mentioned, the LOI should respectfully start with “Dear [Name of the person]”.

The first section of the LOI should tell the purpose of this LOI, the type of nonprofit that seeks funding, and the mission.

Step 4 – Goals

The next paragraph is called the statement of need and it should tell how the organization’s goals will be reached with the use of the financing. Here, it is appropriate to provide information about the staff members, geographical area, numbers that the nonprofit wants to reach, etc.

Step 5 – Closing

After details of the project are provided, it is appropriate to write that the prospective grantee will be honored to submit the full proposal to the foundation requesting the application and any additional materials.

The last thing to do is to write the name of the head of the organization that seeks funding.

If you need a customized letter of intent for a grant, use our online document builder. Take several minutes of your time to answer several questions and get a ready-made LOI that is easy to download.

From: Patrick Smith Chief Executive Officer PlayLife Foundation 11 Upper Cibolo Creek Rd, Boerne, TX 78006 April 4, 2021

To: Bob Loware Head of El Paso Private Foundation El Paso, Texas

Dear Mr. Loware,

We are requesting $10,000 (ten thousand dollars) for a community-built playspace in our neighborhood located at 12 Wintergreen St. El Paso, TX 79915. We believe this request fits under your giving area of the El Paso Area Community Enhancement Program because we pursue the idea of making our community a better place to live, like you do.

Our mission and vision are central to our efforts in generating funds for this playspace. We strive to improve the appearance of our neighborhood, enhance public and especially children safety, and benefit under-served populations. We believe our mission and goals align with the same of your Foundation.

A new, safe, and accessible playspace is needed in our community for the following reasons:

• it offers free activities for under-served families
• it allows increased physical activity, which helps fight childhood obesity—one of the main problems in our community
• it helps reinforce and build social skills when kids play with other children and make new friends, which is even more relevant during the current pandemic.

With this grant, we intend to build a playspace with around ten (10) play activities. This playspace will serve 150 families in the neighborhood. This community-built playspace will employ ten volunteers who will build the structure under the guidance of a certified play equipment installer. We also have collaborations with the S&B Engineers and Constructors company to help us make this dream come true.

I will contact you on April 5, 2021, to confirm the receipt of the letter and will gladly answer all the questions. I can be reached at +155667799 or via email at [email protected] in case you need to get in touch with me. Thank you so much for your attention and participation.

Sincerely, Patrick Smith

Welcome to The Grant Portal Blog

Grants for Non-Profits | Small Business | Individuals

How to Write a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a Grant

Writing a letter of intent (LOI) for a grant is an important step in the grant application process. An LOI is a brief, one-page document that outlines your organization’s interest in applying for a grant and provides a summary of the proposed project. Here are some steps to help you write a compelling LOI:

• Introduction: Begin your LOI by introducing your organization and providing a brief overview of its mission and goals. Clearly state the purpose of the letter and your intent to apply for the grant.
• Background Information: Provide background information on your organization, including its history, accomplishments, and relevant experience. Highlight any past successes or achievements that demonstrate your organization’s capacity to successfully implement the proposed project.
• Project Description: Provide a brief description of the project for which you are seeking funding. Include information on the goals and objectives of the project, the target population or community, and the expected outcomes or impact of the project.
• Need Statement: Describe the need or problem that the project aims to address. Provide data or evidence to support the need for the project and explain why it is important to your organization and the community it serves.
• Project Activities: Outline the activities and strategies that will be used to achieve the project’s goals and objectives. Provide a timeline for implementation and highlight any key milestones or deliverables.
• Budget: Include a brief summary of the project budget, including the total cost of the project and the amount of funding requested from the grantmaker. Provide a brief explanation of how the funds will be used and any other sources of funding that will support the project.
• Conclusion: Close your LOI by expressing your enthusiasm for the project and your gratitude for the opportunity to apply for the grant. Provide contact information in case the grantmaker has any questions or needs further information.
• Review and Edit: Before submitting your LOI, review it carefully to ensure that it is well-written, clear, and concise. Make any necessary edits or revisions to improve clarity and readability.

By following these steps, you can write a strong letter of intent that effectively communicates your organization’s interest in applying for a grant and outlines the key details of your proposed project.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Nonprofit Letter Of Intent Template

Why is this template useful?

A letter of intent (LOI) template for a nonprofit serves as a formal expression of interest, clarifying the organization's goals and intentions regarding collaborations, grants, or partnerships. With our template, you will effectively kick-off discussions and relationships with funders.

Who is this template for?

What are the main sections covered in this template?

So you’ve identified your ideal funding opportunity and have carefully read through the guidelines to determine what your next steps will be (great job!). For this foundation, the opportunity requires the submission of a grant letter of intent (an LOI) as opposed to a traditional grant application.

Now you’re asking yourself: what exactly is a letter of intent, and what does this mean for me as I create my grant writing plan?

In this post, you will learn what a letter of intent for nonprofits should be, industry standards in creating one, and a collection of templates you can utilize in the future.

So let’s dive in! ‍

What Is a Letter of Intent?

A grant letter of intent (LOI), as the name suggests, is a letter expressing your intent to apply for a grant . It's not a comprehensive grant proposal but rather a concise introduction to your organization and project.

An LOI serves as an initial brief communication with potential funders by outlining your nonprofit’s interest in applying for a grant. ‍

However, the term "Letter of Intent" can also be used to refer to a document submitted along with a grant application, outlining your intention to use the grant funds for a specific purpose or project. So, its specific meaning can depend on the grantmaker's guidelines.

While an LOI is not as detailed as a full grant proposal, it plays a vital role in capturing the funder's attention and determining whether your project aligns with their priorities. ‍

Why Is a Letter of Intent Important?

A grant letter of intent sets the stage for your entire engagement with funders. Let's explore why an LOI is so crucial for your grant-seeking endeavors.

First Impressions: Setting the Tone for Your Grant Application

An LOI serves as your organization's first introduction to potential funders .

It's your opportunity to create a compelling initial impression and set the tone for the entire grant application process. Funders often receive numerous applications, and your LOI must capture their attention and demonstrate your seriousness about the opportunity.

Streamlining the Grant Review Process

Grantors receive numerous applications, and LOIs help them quickly assess whether a project aligns with their mission and goals .

Your LOI provides a brief overview that allows grantors to quickly evaluate whether your project aligns with their priorities.

Building Initial Relationships with Funders

Submitting a well-crafted LOI also demonstrates your organization's professionalism and seriousness.

It's a vehicle for building relationships with potential funders .

This early engagement can be the foundation for a positive and enduring partnership with the grantor.

Now that we've established the importance of an LOI, let's dive deeper into what sets it apart from other documents in the grant application process. ‍

What’s the Difference Between a Letter of Intent, Interest, or Inquiry?

Because we often use the abbreviation, “LOI”, a grant letter of intent is often used interchangeably with “letter of inquiry” and “letter of interest.”

However, they are all subtly different from each other.

• Letter of Intent: A brief document submitted to a funder to express your interest in applying for a specific grant opportunity. Funders often request these to gauge the number of potential applicants and the general scope of their projects. They include a concise overview of the project, the organization's mission and capacity, and a request for permission to submit a full proposal.
• Letter of Interest : Often unsolicited, these propose a collaboration with potential funders or partners. It outlines a project idea, highlights your qualifications, and proposes a meeting or further discussions. ‍
• Letter of Inquiry : When you’re seeking information about a grant opportunity before investing time and effort in preparing a full proposal. It's a preliminary inquiry to gather more details about the application process, the focus area, or specific guidelines for the grant application.

What Sections Should Be Included in a Grant Letter of Intent?

A well-structured LOI includes several key sections, each with a specific purpose. Let's break down the essential components of a grant letter of intent:

Introduction: Presenting Your Organization

In the "Introduction" section, you introduce your nonprofit organization to the potential funder.

This initial part of your grant letter of intent serves as a brief overview of your nonprofit.

• Your Mission: Start by introducing your organization and proceed to provide a concise overview of your mission and core values . This is the first step in conveying what your organization stands for and how it aligns with the potential funders' priorities.
• Your History: Highlight how your organization's history demonstrates your track record. Make sure that it’s related to the funder’s grant opportunities.
• Your Current Initiatives: Share insights into your organization's ongoing initiatives and the programs you're currently involved in. This demonstrates your commitment to your mission and how you're actively working toward your goals.

Project Overview: What You Aim to Achieve

The "Project Overview" section is all about addressing the problem or needs you're targeting, explaining your strategy to overcome them, and discussing the positive outcomes you anticipate.

• Problem Statement: The problem statement is the foundation of your LOI. Here, clearly define the problem or need that your project addresses. Use data, evidence, and real-world examples to underscore the significance of the problem, setting the stage for why your project is vital.
• Proposed Solution: Explain how your project aims to address the problem. Offer insights into your strategy and approach.
• Expected Outcomes: Provide a forward-looking perspective that explains the positive changes your project will bring about. Make sure to connect your goals with the funder's objectives to underscore the alignment.

Funding Request

Get specific about the financial aspects of your project. Provide details about the overall project cost, the exact amount you're seeking, and how you plan to allocate these funds across different project components.

• Total Project Cost: Provide an overview of the total cost of your project and clearly state all its financial requirements. This gives funders a clear picture of the scale of your initiative.
• Specific Funding Amount: Specify the exact amount you're requesting from the funder. Make sure this aligns with the budget breakdown you provide in the full grant proposal.
• Allocation Breakdown: Offer a breakdown of how you plan to allocate the requested funds. Explain how the funding will be distributed across different project components. This transparency is critical in assuring the funder that their support will be used effectively and efficiently.

Closing: Expressing Gratitude and Next Steps

The "Closing" section is where you wrap up your LOI with courtesy and professionalism. Focus on leaving a positive impression and building a potential future partnership.

• Appreciation : A courteous and thankful conclusion goes a long way in building a positive relationship. Showcases your professionalism and acknowledge the funder's time and effort in considering your proposal.
• Contact Information : Provide clear and accurate contact information. Ensure funders can reach out to you easily if they have questions or need further information.
• Follow-Up Mention : Let funders know that you're open to further discussions. Make sure to indicate your interest in moving forward with a full grant proposal.

With a clear understanding of the essential components, let's explore how you can craft a compelling grant letter of intent for your next grant application. ‍

How to Write an Effective Letter of Intent for Your Next Grant?

Now that you know what an LOI should include, let's dive into the process of writing a compelling and effective grant letter of intent. Follow these steps to ensure your LOI stands out and piques the interest of potential funders.

Understanding the Purpose of an LOI

Know Your Audience: Understand your potential funders. Research their mission, priorities, and guidelines. You can use grant databases like Instrumentl to research grant opportunities and the specific funders that offer them.

Set Clear Objectives: Define your objectives for the LOI. What do you want to achieve with it? Are you aiming to secure an invitation for a full proposal, or are you simply introducing your organization? Be clear about your goals from the start.

Researching the Grantor Thoroughly

Thoroughly Understand the Grant Opportunity: Your journey to crafting an effective Letter of Intent (LOI) begins with thorough research.

Study the grantor's guidelines and criteria to gain a deep understanding of what they are looking for in potential grantees and ensure that your nonprofit and project align with their priorities. This will allow you to tailor your LOI to align precisely with what the grantor is looking for.

Instrumentl’s 990 tool can help you gain insight into a funder’s past grants, giving priorities, and funding history.

Contact the Grantor (if Appropriate): If you have questions or need clarifications about the grant opportunity, don't hesitate to reach out to the grantor.

Doing this can clarify any uncertainties and enable you to fine-tune your grant letter of intent, making it even more appealing to the grantor. This personalized touch shows your genuine interest and proactive approach and can significantly enhance your chances of success in the grant application process.

Structuring Your LOI for Clarity and Impact

Start With a Strong Introduction: Your LOI serves as the initial introduction of your organization and your project to potential funders. That’s why it is crucial to craft a compelling opening for your LOI that introduces your organization and the essence of your project.

Make sure it grabs the funder's attention right from the start. An engaging introduction sets the tone for the entire document, making the funder eager to learn more about your project.

Keep it Concise: Remember, an LOI is a brief document. Be clear, concise, and to the point, and avoid unnecessary jargon or verbosity. You don’t want your potential funder to lose interest in your mission. Ensure your LOI is straight to the point and is able to convey your message succinctly.

Highlight Alignment: Funders are not just interested in supporting projects; they want to support projects that align with their own priorities and values.

Use your LOI as an opportunity to clearly articulate how your project aligns with the grantor's priorities. Use specific language and examples to demonstrate this connection.

Personalizing Your LOI

Reference the Funder/Foundation: Mention the funder or foundation explicitly. Make specific references to their mission, priorities, or previous work that aligns with your project.

Highlighting their previous contributions or initiatives that relate to your work shows that you've taken the time to understand their values and goals. This level of personalization not only demonstrates your commitment but also connects your project directly to their mission.

Show Impact: While it's essential to describe your project's objectives and activities, remember to focus on the outcomes.

Use data, real-life stories, and evidence to illustrate the positive changes your project can achieve. Paint a vivid picture of the transformations your initiative will bring about in the community or field. Funders are more likely to support projects that demonstrate a clear and meaningful impact.

Review and Revise Before Submission

Don't rush : Take the time to review and revise your LOI. Ensure that it's error-free and effectively conveys your organization's mission and your project's potential.

Stay Proactive : After submitting your LOI, don't sit back and wait. If you don't receive a response within a reasonable timeframe, consider following up to express your continued interest.

Now that you have a comprehensive guide on crafting an LOI, let's dive into what an effective grant letter of intent looks like. ‍

3 Examples of Letter of Intent

The following real-world letter of intent grant samples will provide you with insights into how different organizations present their intent to apply for grants.

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst

UMASS Amherst does an excellent job of breaking down each component of a grant letter of intent, including the importance of background research and techniques you can use while writing.

Each component of the letter of intent is broken down but in greater depth in terms of the construction of each section. Of note, they also emphasize the importance of already having a well-thought-out proposal in mind before beginning to write a letter of intent.

2. Northwestern University

This overview from Northwestern University is geared toward research field-oriented proposals and provides succinct guidance for what the body paragraphs should look like for a letter of intent in that category.

Keep in mind that research grant opportunities and the affiliated LOIs usually require very specific instructions due to the nature of the work.

3. Anschutz Family Foundation

This is a great example of what it looks like when a foundation sets specific guidelines and criteria for a letter of intent for nonprofits. The Anschutz Family Foundation provides four very well-defined areas that they would like included: an overview of your organization, an overview of what you do, financial information, and the amount of the request you are making.

Letter of Intent Template

Let’s put all we’ve covered into a solid template you can refer to and keep on hand to organize your thoughts each time you start the letter of intent process!

LOI Structure

A grant letter of intent should be between 1-3 pages (without attachments), and/or should follow the exact guidelines given by the funder. ‍

• Attachments should also be succinct! Remember that this is not a grant proposal. Don’t include attachments unless the funder requests them or leaves an opening to include attachments that strengthen your proposal.
• Keep it readable and avoid jargon and acronyms. If you are given flexibility for attachments, make sure they flow with the format of the letter.
• Try to identify the specific addressee you are writing this letter to and avoid the generic “To Whom It May Concern”.
• If there are no guidelines given, the body of the letter of intent should follow the guidelines listed below.

Template Letter of Intent

Wrapping it up: how to get the most out of your letter of intent.

LOIs are also one of the most popular ways that you can introduce your mission to outside stakeholders.

Set the tone for building successful relationships with grant funders by writing an effective Letter of Intent.

Now that you’ve learned about LOIs, learn how to decipher and adhere to grant application guidelines .

Related templates

Nonprofit bylaws templates: getting your company legal and organized.

All nonprofit organizations need to create bylaws. This article will be going to walk you through the process of drafting bylaws—and we even have four free nonprofit bylaws templates to share with you! By the time you finish this article, you’ll be ready to help your Board of Directors begin drafting bylaws for your organization. 

7 Free Nonprofit Resume Templates

Whether you're a nonprofit veteran or a new college graduate trying to make the world a better place, a nonprofit career could be right for you. In this post, we will provide you with 7 nonprofit resume templates, as well as guidance about how to make your nonprofit resume shine so you can land the job of your dreams. Let's get started.

Free Nonprofit Conflict of Interest Policy Templates

Conflicts of interest are complex, and nonprofit organizations should have clear policies in place to ensure they remain compliant with regulations and bylaws. In this article, we will explain what nonprofit conflict of interest policies are, share templates to help you get started and provide tips for implementing a policy at your organization.

Free Nonprofit Balanced Scorecard Templates

In this article, you will learn why a nonprofit balanced scorecard is one of the most powerful tools nonprofit organizations can use to track and measure their performance. This article will also give you a better understanding of balanced scorecards for nonprofits and provide tips on how to create one for your organization. 

Choose the Right Tech Stack for Your Nonprofit

GrantWriterTeam Blog

How to Write A Winning LOI (Letter of Intent)

What belongs in your loi .

The defining intentions of a Letter of Intent are extensive. An LOI contains vital material for both the applying organization and the funding source. Your LOI is also your first chance to make a positive, lasting impression on the grantor. In addition, a strong LOI will better position your organization to secure an invitation to complete a full grant application.

LOIs provide the funding source with information and insights, which help grantors determine which organizations are most appropriate to apply for their grant. The number of Letters of Intent received and where they are most commonly coming from also provide the grantor with a scope of how many organizations are interested in the grant. These metrics help the funding source plan for its staff, allowing them to be aware of the time it will take to review the upcoming proposals.

Submitting your LOI places you on the grantor’s mailing list, ensuring you will receive any future addenda and modifications for that particular grant. This includes deadline changes. When crafting an LOI, you must also remember that what you include in your letter of intent may determine whether you can submit a full grant application.  The LOI is your opportunity for a great first impression. Don’t take this opportunity for granted by submitting minimal information or a subpar presentation.

Take the time (or hire a professional grant writer ) to compose an LOI with rich content that explains why your organization is the strongest fit for the grant. Research the funding source for information that will best summarize your strengths in a way that speaks to the specific grant. A well-crafted Letter of Intent can make all the difference in the grant application process!

Tips for Writing a Winning LOI (Letter of Intent) 

If there is an application form for the LOI, follow the directions very carefully.

• Your LOI should be a brief, yet effective one-page letter with a full proposal. Depending on the requirements of the funding source, your LOI may be as long as three pages.
• It should be structured like a business letter and submitted on professional letterhead. Be sure that your organization’s address appears on the letterhead or on the right-hand side. The recipient’s address should appear on the left-hand side of the document.
• Use the specific name of the recipient on your LOI.  Avoid using any general terminology such as “Dear Sir” or “To whom it may concern.”
• The introduction provided in your LOI might be the most important part of your letter. Make sure you have provided a concise, attention-grabbing summary with enticing information to inspire the reader.
• Don’t forget to include the name of your organization. Define the grant you are applying for and/or the amount of money you are requesting. LOIs should also include a short description of the project and how it fits.
• Your LOI is also a chance to provide a brief outline of your nonprofit and its related programs and initiatives. Connect what you currently do to what you want to accomplish with the grantor’s funding.
• Include a description of your ideal population and geographic area.  Additionally, incorporate statistical facts about what you are doing and hope to do, as well as specific examples of successes and needs.
• Briefly elaborate on objectives to stand out from the competition. You should also describe how you plan on using the funding in a way that best fits the goals of the funder’s grant.
• You should also describe the project succinctly. Include major activities along with the names and titles of key project staff members to create a personal connection. This will place you in a better position to get an invitation to submit a full grant application.
• Always review the LOI guidelines before submitting to ensure you have met all provided requirements of the grantor. Failing to include any of the requested fields of information could cause your LOI to be disregarded.
• In closing, thank the funding source for their time and consideration. Use proper business salutations, such as “Sincerely” or “Respectfully.”  Also, remember to avoid any lengthy or overly friendly closing statements. Be brief, professional, and memorable.

Fact: The terms “Letter of Intent” and “Letter of Inquiry” are interchangeable and one in the same.

Bonus Tip: Within your LOI, be sure to communicate to the grantor that your nonprofit is ready to show the related projects in person. The grantor should know that you are eager and prepared to show off your grant-related programs firsthand.  

May your LOI open the door to your successful winning of grants! 

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Grant Writing

Recent Comments

• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023
• November 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023
• January 2023
• December 2022
• November 2022
• September 2022
• February 2022
• January 2022
• December 2021
• November 2021
• October 2021
• September 2021
• August 2021
• February 2021
• January 2021
• December 2020
• November 2020
• October 2020
• September 2020
• August 2020
• November 2019
• September 2019
• August 2019
• February 2019
• January 2019
• December 2018
• November 2018
• October 2018
• August 2018
• February 2018
• January 2018
• December 2017
• October 2017
• August 2017
• February 2017
• January 2017
• December 2016
• November 2016
• September 2016
• August 2016
• February 2016
• August 2015
• Grant Seeker
• Nonprofit Organization

Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.

Información en español

Celebrating 75 Years! Learn More >>

• Opportunities & Announcements
• Funding Strategy for Grants
• Grant Writing & Approval Process
• Managing Grants
• Clinical Research
• Small Business Research

Letter of Intent

Many Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) (whether Program Announcements or Requests for Applications) request that prospective applicants submit a letter of intent prior to the submission of a grant application. For those FOAs that request it, a letter of intent should include the following:

• Descriptive title of proposed research
• Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator(s)
• Names of other key personnel
• Participating institutions
• Number and title of the funding opportunity

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows Institute/Center (IC) staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

The letter of intent should be sent by the date listed on the specific FOA and to the contact and address listed therein. For more information, contact the Program Officer (Scientific/Research Contact(s)) listed in the FOA.

Also, remember that if your budget is at or going to exceed $500,000 in direct costs for any year of the project, NIH policy ( NOT-OD-02-004  ) requires prior approval from IC programmatic staff at least six weeks prior to the anticipated submission date. Information regarding this approval should be submitted in a cover letter along with the application.

Back to Forms and Instructions

Search Google Appliance

• Blackboard Learn
• Online Storage
• People Finder

Foundation Relations

Guidelines for a letter of intent, (a loi is also known as a letter of inquiry or a concept paper.).

• Background: Your first contact with a foundation should be extensively studying the foundations website, reviewing the foundation's missions and goals, an annual report, giving guidelines, and grants list. If you have unanswered questions contact the CFR who may contact the foundation on your behalf.
• If, after carefully reviewing this material, you determine that this foundation is an appropriate match for you, your next contact will be a Letter of Inquiry, which is a brief summary of your project.
• Important: A Letter of Inquiry is not a vague exploration of an idea. It is assumed that you have already thought through your proposed project (including a budget!) and are just presenting an abbreviated description.

A Letter of Inquiry allows the foundation to quickly assess if there is a good match between the foundation's interests and the project. If it appears to be a good match, they will request a full proposal. When you see the words, "proposals not accepted," it usually means you must first submit a letter of inquiry. 

The LOI must be concise yet engaging. Use your words smartly. Avoid jargon, adjectives, flowery subjective statements that are not supported by facts. Write a logical, persuasive argument emphasizing how this project can help solve a significant problem or void in the knowledge base.

Please review the  Basic Components of a Proposal  because a Letter of Inquiry is a condensed version of a proposal. Include the highlights of that information. For example, an executive summary will be a full page of your proposal, but in a LOI it will only be one paragraph. Letters of Intent are generally 2–3 pages. If the foundation indicates a page limit, do not exceed it!

Components of a LOI

Unless otherwise indicated by the foundation, the contents will generally follow this format:

1. Opening Paragraph: Your summary statement.

• It should be able to stand alone. If the reviewer reads nothing else they should know what you want to do from reading this paragraph. Make it clear what you want the reader to do; for example, consider funding the project.
• Answer the following: Who wants to do what? How much is being requested? Is this a portion of a larger project cost? Over what period of time is money being requested?

"The School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass) seeks support for developing an innovative undergraduate and graduate curriculum in psychiatric mental health nursing that will prepare expert nurse clinicians in the delivery of mental health services to at-risk adolescents in the community setting. We are requesting $87,000 over a two-year period."

[FYI:  This proposal got funded!]

• You also may want to say if you are responding to an RFP (Request for Proposals) or make the connection between the foundation's interest and your project.
• Keep this paragraph short! This seems like a lot to address, but you will have room later to explain your rationale for the project, your methodology, and to establish your credibility.

2. Statement of Need: The "why" of the project. (1–2 paragraphs)

• Explain what issue you are addressing.
• Explain why you have chosen to respond to this set of issues in the way that you have.
• State briefly why this matters in the area in which you will be working.
• Note who benefits. Make sure you can indicate the public good achieved.

3. Project Activity: The "what" and "how" of the project. (The bulk of your letter)

• Give an overview of the activities involved. Give details to the degree that space allows.
• Highlight why your approach is novel and deserving of the special attention that funding connotes.
• Indicate if there will be collaboration with other organizations and what their roles will be. Be specific about who does what.

4. Outcomes (1–2 paragraphs; before or after the Project Activity)

• State the specific outcomes you hope to achieve.
• Indicate how evaluation is part of the project. How will you know you've achieved these outcomes?

5. Credentials (1–2 paragraphs)

• Demonstrate why your institution or your staff is best equipped to carry out this activity.
• Put any historic background about the institution here.
• Brag with substance. Indicate awards, rankings, and tangible measures that set you apart from your peers.

6. Budget (1–2 paragraphs)

• General description of the projects funding needs and total amount of request.

7. Closing (1 paragraph)

• Offer to give any additional information the foundation might need. Include a contact name and contact information.
• Express appreciation for the reader's attention, or for the opportunity to submit if it is in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP).
• Specifically indicate you are interested in discussing the project and will "contact their office" by a certain date (allowing time for them to receive and read the letter).

8. Signature

• Contact CFR to determine who would be the best person to sign the LOI.

©2024 University of Massachusetts Amherst · Site Policies · Site Contact

Four common grant proposal documents (free samples included)

• Melissa Pulis (she/her)
• July 13, 2023

Nonprofit work means paperwork. While Candid is working to reduce that burden broadly, here is one specific way we are trying to help: by providing sample grant proposal documents . 

There are four major documents that you may need to create if your nonprofit is looking for funding. Each has a different purpose and elements you’ll need to make your case to funders.  

In this blog, we share the major types of grant proposal documents, their components, and free sample resources to show you what a successful version of each one looks like. 

Letters of inquiry (LOI)

If you’re new to fundraising and grant writing, you may have not heard the term letter of inquiry , or LOI. Honestly, when you do, it’s good news. 

A letter of inquiry or LOI is something a funder may ask for in lieu of a full grant proposal. Instead of a giant stack of papers, you just need to write a few pages to create a LOI that will get the funder excited to support your cause or project.  

Sometimes, this can be the first step in a funder’s broader grant proposal process. In this case, you may be asked to complete a LOI to show whether you meet the grant criteria, so time is not wasted on a full proposal. Other times, it serves as the entire proposal. 

Here’s what a letter of inquiry should include: 

• An introduction that summarizes the letter.  
• A brief description of your organization and why this particular project is important.  
• A statement of need that convinces the reader your project meets the specific needs of those you serve. 
• A methodology that explains how you’ll do it. 
• Other funding sources that are being approached. 
• Finally, a summary of what was just said and a brief thank you to the funder for considering your organization.  

The biggest challenge is you only get a couple pages to make your case. In our LOI sample documents , you will see examples of how you can summarize projects in a compelling and concise way. 

Cover letters

This is the most important part of your grant proposal: the cover letter . Think of a cover letter as a compelling introduction to the contents of your full proposal. It’s your first chance to connect your project with the funder’s philanthropic mission.  

At minimum, your cover letter should include: 

• An introduction to your project. 
• The dollar amount of funding you need.  
• How your project and organization will further the foundation’s mission. 
• A list that outlines the proposal’s contents. 
• Contact details in case the funder wants additional information. 
• A signature from your organization’s executive director. 

Additionally, if your organization has branded letterhead, consider using it for added polish. 

In our sample documents, you’ll find three different examples of cover letters that include these aspects. 

Proposal budgets 

Proposal budgets may seem a bit dull, but many funders say it’s the first part of a grant proposal that they read. Your budget should show your credibility and impact with numbers.  

A proposal budget should include: 

• Grants and other funding contributions. 
• Earned income from events, products, and fees. 
• Direct costs, like staff time, consultants, supplies, equipment, and evaluation (such as conducting surveys or collecting feedback). 
• Indirect costs—or the invisible costs, like rent, utilities, office supplies, marketing, and administrative staff. 

Make sure your budget adds up (it’s a big red flag when it doesn’t). Not only should the math be correct, but it should also match the request for funding you’re making in the proposal.  

To see this in practice, review our proposal budget sample documents.  

Full grant proposals

Here’s the big one. Writing a full grant proposal can be a little intimidating.   

Before you begin, make sure to read and re-read the instructions from the funder. You don’t want to miss some simple but important proposal requirements, like using a specific font. 

Here are the key elements of a proposal: 

• Executive summary. This is where you’ll give a snapshot of the problem, your solution for addressing it, why your organization can help, and the amount of funding you’ll need to do so. 
• Needs statement. Next is a needs statement that shows why your project is needed and aligned with funders’ focus areas. 
• Project description. In this section, you’ll share your project’s goals and objectives, detailed activities, and information about your organization. 
• Proposal budget. Finally, a budget that shows in numbers how you’ll address the problem. 

Reading examples of full grant proposal documents can be a helpful way to get started. You can also check out our free live and on-demand trainings .  

Need more help? Our team of online librarians is here to provide resources and support. You can reach out to them by emailing [email protected] or via chat during business hours.  

• Tips & Training
• International
• Candid’s tools
• Fundraising, giving, and donations
• Nonprofit and charity work

About the author

Melissa is an experienced information professional who leads Candid’s Online Librarian program and oversees content creation for Candid Learning’s Knowledge Base Articles. She is passionate about librarianship, providing equitable access to information, and teaching people how to navigate online resources.

In addition to her experience leading the Online Librarian program, Melissa has extensive nonprofit experience having worked in development for both small and large Cleveland-area nonprofits and as a grants manager for a private foundation. Melissa has a Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Post comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Adelene Hampton says:

Thank you. I want to improve education, mathematically in the state of Louisiana. Your cupport has been most helpful and appreciated.

Gary Van Dyke says:

need grant for medical expenses

Geoffrey says:

Insightful well arranged tips on proposal writing. Want to learn more and examples

Jesus Loera says:

Good evening friends, I am Jesus Loera. Lately I have become interested in grant writing but haven't a clue where to start. I am a life long resident of Brownsville Texas. We are stuffed up against the Mexican border. Not extremely prosperous, sad to say. I work for a Community College in need of funding, I am a member of a Unitarian Church with only 6 members and I recently joined the local Freemasons. All these organizations in desperate need of finical help. I am willing to help as much as possible, but in need of some coaching.

Kate, Digital Communications Manager, Candid says:

Candid does not suggest specific funders or approach them on your behalf. But we can point you to resources that should help you in your funding search. You can check out our Knowledge Base for information on getting grants and finding donors .

Christian Wilson says:

We need additional funding in the amount of $20,000 to feed 700 people during the weekend when there are no services provided. The local funders have been tapped out and tell us that they cannot assist us. Can you advise me of other alternative funding that might be available so that we can continue to feed these families?

Leslie England says:

Greetings! We are a 501c3 trying to get a grant to buy a building for a homeless shelter in our area. We have no idea how to find grants or apply for them. Where do you begin?

Jean niyungeko Fessi says:

the information is so helpful, thanks for being resourceful.

Bruce says:

I also maintain both a paper and electronic file of key documents usually required like IRS letter, BOD list, 1page overview of organization including Mission statement, most recent 990, annual budget including income and expenses. All this helps especially with online applications!

Lorent Damaseke Mvula says:

Thanks for the knowledge and skills I have learned on grant proposals, this really sharpens my knowledge.

RMM- ED says:

Thank you for posting this!

This is super helpful, thank you!

Cindy Dashnaw Jackson says:

This is an incredible resource and a generous action, Melissa. I hope many nonprofits see this article!

Related posts

7 red flags for funders in your grant proposal

Avoid these seven red flags for funders in your grant proposal to increase your chances of funding success.

By David M. Holmes (he/him) and Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D. (she/her)

June 14, 2023

How to write a winning grant proposal

Writing a grant proposal doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Read this blog to get best practices on how to craft the key sections of your next project proposal.

By Stephen Robertson (he/him)

February 7, 2023

5 fundraising ideas to start the year off strong

Discover five fundraising ideas you can prioritize today to help you get a heads start on successfully achieving your annual funding goals.

By Krista Berry (she/her)

February 28, 2023

The basics of building a nonprofit budget

By Melissa Pulis (she/her)

June 9, 2022

4 practical tips for building relationships with nonprofit funders

Use these four tips to help you build relationships with nonprofit funders and increase the odds of gaining their support.

By Kyle Kivett (he/him)

April 4, 2023

Impact measurement: How to measure your nonprofit’s impact

By Kaelee Nelson (she/her)

October 30, 2020

Letter of Intent

Interested in applying for an AWS Foundation Grant? Start here and then follow these steps…

• NEW Applicants
• RETURNING Grantees
• STEP 1 Letter of Intent
• STEP 2 Grant Schedule
• STEP 3 How to Apply

What Is An LOI?

A Letter of Intent, or LOI, provides us with a short summary of your upcoming request. That way, we can see if your project is a good fit before you apply for a grant.

Who Needs An LOI?

A Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for requests that fall into any one of these categories:

• The organization is making its first grant request
• The request is for capital support regardless of amount
• The request is for $50,000 or more
• The funding is a multi-year request

LOI Questions

When you submit your LOI through our grant portal, you will also need to answer a few questions. Those questions are below, or you can download a PDF . Review them and prepare your answers before you submit your LOI.

View LOI Questions

Project/Program Name* Character Limit: 60

Amount Requested*

Initiative Category* Select the initiative that aligns with the program or project.

• Early Diagnosis
• Education & Employment
• Social Enrichment
• System Navigation
• Transportation

Letter of Intent Parameters* A Letter of Intent is required if at least one of the following parameters applies. Check all that apply.

• This is the organization’s first-time grant request.
• The request is for $50,000 or more.
• The request is for capital support.
• This is a multi-year request.

Summary of Program/Project* Upload a one-page summary of the program/project on the organization’s letterhead, signed and dated by the Executive Director. Include the following information:

• Outline of the program/project.
• Requested grant amount.

File Size Limit: 1 MB

Itemized Budget* Please upload an itemized total program/project cost. File Size Limit: 1 MB

Number of Participants with Disabilities* How many individuals with disabilities will directly benefit from the program/project? Character Limit: 100

Timeline for Program/Project Implementation* Character Limit: 500

How To Submit An LOI

• Make sure you need to submit an LOI. If youre unsure, email Joni Schmalzried , Chief Program Officer.
• Review the questions above and prepare your responses.
• Submit your LOI on our online grant portal . Youll need to create an account or log into an existing account.

When we receive your LOI, a member of the Grants team will contact you to discuss your request and next steps.

What Can We Help You Find?

Every Winning Nonprofit Letter of Intent Does These Five Things

A nonprofit letter of intent —also known as a letter of inquiry and commonly referred to as an LOI —is a pared down version of a grant application. An LOI states your desire as a nonprofit organization to partner with a foundation for funding and support of your work. 

LOIs are most common in two scenarios:

• A foundation requires the submission of an LOI before formally inviting your organization to fill out a full application for grant funding.
• A foundation does not have a formal grant application process, so your organization decides to submit an LOI as a means of inquiry. 

Whether as the first step toward a full grant application or a way to introduce your organization to a new foundation, LOIs are shorter than a standard grant application—they usually come in somewhere between one and three pages. 

How to Write a Letter of Intent—So It Stands Out !

Most LOIs follow the same basic structure and include similar information… So how can you stand out amongst the crowd? How can you communicate the genuine value of your organization and make the kind of impression that actually gets you funded ??

Great question! 

Here are some tips and tricks to make your LOI truly shine.

Make it interesting.

This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s a little more difficult than it sounds. We tend to speak and write formally in the nonprofit sector. Our communications can sound borderline academic if we’re not careful. When speaking to each other, this might be okay—but it doesn’t do a great job of communicating urgency, hope, or excitement. These are crucial to getting our work funded. 

If you’re struggling to figure out if your LOI is compelling, ask someone outside the sector to read it over. Is it interesting? Did it stir up any emotions for them? What was it missing? Use this feedback to your advantage.

Keep it brief.

It’s not always easy to describe something well, make it interesting, and keep it brief. If you can strike that balance, you’ll have found the special sauce! 

LOIs are not full grant proposals, and they often won’t have a stated length. Generally, you won’t want to surpass three pages. Outside of that, the appropriate length will depend on your organization and project. As you review your draft, keep asking yourself if there’s a more concise way of communicating your idea.

Tailor your LOI to the foundation you’re sending it to.

Much like applying for a job, you’ll want to tailor your LOI to the recipient. Read through the foundation’s website, and take note of their priorities. If you need funding for that after-school program but the foundation’s focus is on families, present the value of your work through its impact on the family unit. Include relevant statistics.

Follow the instructions.

This should go without saying, but if there are guidelines provided by the foundation, follow them. Length, content, font, formatting—it’s all important if it’s in the instruction!

Highlight what makes you unique.

Nonprofits shouldn’t feel compelled to compete against each other as such... But every community is different, and what works in one may not be effective for another. 

With this in mind, highlight what makes your organization and your program unique. Address how your organization meets the specific needs of your community and why it’s so important that it continues to do so.

Nonprofit Letters of Intent Are Opportunities to Outline New Ideas

LOIs give you a chance to write something shorter than a full application while both you and a foundation figure out if you’re a good fit for partnership. And writing an LOI gives you an opportunity to draft your idea and test its weight. 

And if you’re invited to submit a longer proposal, you’ll have a solid foundation to build on!

For more information and resources for nonprofit professionals, join NPO Centric’s membership program. >> 

SEarch by Category

Search by tag.

41550 Eclectic Street Palm Desert, CA 92260 ‍ We are located on the Southwest corner of Cook and Hovley ‍ [email protected] ‍ (760) 674-9992

© 2023  NPO Centric | A program of the RAP Foundation | Website designed by NPO Centric

NPO Centric and the Regional Access Project Foundation are not part of the Facebook or Instagram website or Facebook Inc. or Instagram. Additionally, NPO Centric and the Regional Access Project Foundation are NOT endorsed by Facebook or Instagram in any way.

Do’s and Don’ts for Writing a Standout LOI and Application 

Dr. Stephanie Watts shared her insight into writing a standout LOI and application, including some high-level do’s and don’ts of grant writing.  

“For as many successes as I’ve had, I’ve probably had four times that amount of failures. But one thing you don’t do is give up on a good idea,” said Watts, PhD, now a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University.  

She applied to the PhRMA Foundation again, and this time, she succeeded. Since then, Watts has been a longtime supporter of the Foundation, serving for many years on its Scientific Advisory Committee, which reviews and scores letters of intent (LOI) and applications for Foundation fellowships and grants.  

In a  webinar  this week, Watts shared her insight into writing a standout LOI and application, including some high-level do’s and don’ts of grant writing.   

“Your goal is to be able to tell us a story and argue a project that makes it undeniable that the PhRMA Foundation is going to want to help you,” she said. “You want to capture my attention. I might have 10 grants to read in front of me. Yours is the one you want me to remember.”  

Writing a Letter of Intent  

To apply for a PhRMA Foundation  Drug Discovery or Drug Delivery award is a two-step process. Applicants must submit an LOI, and t hose whose submissions are selected will be asked to complete a full application.  

An LOI should distill the essence of your research project down to a compelling 600 words. When reading an LOI, Watts said she wants to know:  

• Is the problem posed significant?  
• Is the resolution of the problem novel?  
• Is the project feasible with the time and resources?  
• Will the final work product be concrete and impactful?   
• Is the applicant well-suited to the project?  
• Would support from a PhRMA Foundation grant help the applicant’s career path?   

In addition to the 600-word LOI, the PhRMA Foundation also requires all applicants to answer four “Research Impact Questions” to help demonstrate that the applicant’s project fits with the PhRMA Foundation and that the project is innovative and will advance the field.  

Applying for PhRMA Foundation Awards  

Applicants who are invited to complete a full application must submit a more extensive research plan, an extended letter, and letters of support from mentors and references, among other items.  

The extended letter gives applicants a chance to share in their own words about themselves and how the award would help them. “The people who review these awards want to know you,” Watts said. “This letter is a chance for you to shine and tell us about yourself. You have to be real. Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear.”  

Letters from mentors are critical for researchers applying for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships, Watts said. “We need to know that you are in a safe space for being able to do the work you need,” she said. For Faculty Starter Grants, Watts stressed the importance of a letter from a department chair that demonstrates institutional commitment to helping the new faculty member get their research program off the ground.   

Watts advised applicants to start working on their LOIs and applications with plenty of time for revisions and lots of proofreading. She encouraged applicants to read their proposals out loud to themselves as well as ask colleagues to provide feedback.  

If an applicant isn’t funded the first time they apply to the Foundation, they can try again — just as Watts did. “Every time you write an application, you’re going to get better, so don’t ever think of it as a loss or a worthless exercise. It’s not,” Watts said.  

Read the infographic below for more tips and  watch the full webinar .  

Join Our Email List

Sign up to get the latest PhRMA Foundation funding announcements, news, and events in your inbox.

Newsletter Signup

The newsletter signup form usually leveraged for the “Newsletter” block.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Letter of Interest or Letter of Inquiry (LOI) 101: The Fundamentals

Table of contents.

• What’s an LOI?
• LOI Crash Course: What You’ll Learn
• Letter of Inquiry vs. Letter of Interest vs. Letter of Intent

What Matters Most in an LOI

• Responding vs. Reaching Out
• How to Write a Grant Winning LOI
• Six-Step Guide to Writing a Winning LOI for Your Charity

What’s an LOI?  

In the charity fundraising and grant writing worlds, the letter of inquiry or letter of interest (LOI) is a concise case for your charity’s cause. It’s written to pique a charity funders interest in your proposed project, campaign, or initiatives, and includes a request for the grant maker to consider reviewing an application from your charity.  

An LOI will often be your organization’s introduction to a new potential charity funder and your single shot at making a great first impression, so you’ve got to make it count!  

LOI Crash Course: What You’ll Learn   

Consider this article your crash course in the LOI Fundamentals.   In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about letters of interest, from the different types of LOIs and why they exist, to when you’ll need them and where to send them to maximize your success. Plus, you’ll discover a six-step guide to writing a killer LOI that will surely make an impact on your potential foundation partners.  

By the time you’re done, you’ll be crafting an LOI capable of winning some serious coin for your cause.  

Letter of Inquiry vs. Letter of Interest vs. Letter of Intent: Are They the Same and Does it Matter?  

Letter of Inquiry LOI: According to authors and grant-writing experts Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox, a letter of inquiry and a letter of intent are not the same. As they explain in The Only Grant Writing Book You’ll Ever Need , a letter of inquiry LOI is like a mini proposal in which your charity briefly summarizes your organizational mission, the need you’re addressing, the program you plan to implement, and the amount you’re requesting from the funder. i

Letter of Intent LOI: A letter of intent LOI is different. It’s requested by government agencies and some foundations to help determine how many grant applications they expect to receive so they can hire the right number of reviewers. Unlike the mini proposal style of the letter of inquiry, a letter of intent states a charity’s intention to submit a grant application and is only a few paragraphs long.  

Letter of Interest LOI: The term letter of interest (LOI) is frequently used interchangeably with letter of inquiry, also referring to the mini proposal style letter described above. ii And just to keep things interesting, some charity funders use different terminology altogether, like an Expression of Interest, to describe what we’ve defined as a letter of inquiry or letter of interest.  

Since even the abbreviations are confusing, let’s focus on what we do know: a letter of interest or letter of inquiry is what you send to foundations to introduce your organization and request an opportunity to submit a grant proposal. Short and sweet, it’s designed to captivate their interest and leave them either writing a cheque or wanting to learn more about your charity and requesting a complete grant proposal.   

Do Definitions Even Matter?  

The definitions are good to know and helpful as general guidelines, especially in the absence of clear instructions from charity funders.  They will help to guide your writing and ensure you are sending the right type of LOI for the specific case. 

When a charity funder provides directions on what to include in your LOI – regardless of what they choose to call it – their guidelines overrule all other advice. And if you’re ever not sure what a funder wants, try phoning or emailing them to clarify anything you’re unsure of before you start writing.   

L-O-Why Even Bother?   

Taking a step back, it’s important to understand an LOI’s purpose – why bother taking the time to write and send an introductory letter when you could pitch your full fund-worthy project to a charity funder?  

The LOI process exists for two reasons:  

•   First, because LOIs are brief – no more than two-pages – it’s an effective way for funders to screen many applicants quickly and determine which projects are well-aligned with their priorities.
• Second, reviewing LOIs gives grant makers an idea of the level of interest in their granting program and the type of projects out there. This is especially true for charity funders exploring new granting areas. iii

While it may seem like LOIs are just another hoop for charities to jump through to secure grants, in truth, they’re a time-saver for everyone.  

Grant applications can be long, detailed, and time-consuming. It’s better to know a foundation isn’t interested in your project before investing time and energy into a full grant application.   

Responding vs. Reaching Out: Two Occasions Your Charity Needs an LOI  

There are two situations when your charity will write a letter of interest to charity funders. You’ll craft your compelling mini case either to 1) respond to formal calls for LOIs from funders, or 2) reach out proactively to introduce your organization to potential charity funders.  

While the second scenario is the most common for the newbie charity fundraiser and the small to medium-sized registered charity, both are part of a well-rounded grant seeking strategy. Let’s examine both, how often you can expect them to come up, and how to maximize your chance of success in each situation. 

Responding: Formal Calls for LOIs  

Of the over 11,000 grant making foundations in Canada, very few send out formal calls for letters of intent. Those that do are typically large and well-known. And because they’re high-profile, these charity funders receive many LOIs, making their grants highly competitive.  

Generally, larger funders have a longer response time and require a more arduous grant application process, which isn’t great for charities with limited resources. On the flip side, these foundations award more generous grants, which can pay off exponentially in the long run.  

While most of this article focuses on using LOIs to reach out and introduce your charity to new funders, it’s wise to keep your eyes open for formal calls from charity funders that are well-aligned with your organization. Then, once you’ve got your proactive LOI process nailed down, you can begin to respond to the formal calls.  

How to Crush a Formal Call for Letters of Interest  

Formal calls for LOIs should include all the information your charity needs to complete the LOI as well as deadlines for each stage of the grant competition. All you need to do is follow the guidelines provided by the funder.  

It sounds simple enough – until you’re faced with a list of instructions four times as long as the two-page LOI you’ve been asked to write!  

This is where a methodical approach will serve you well, starting with reading the guidelines several times and noting the following:  

• Problem(s) the funder is trying to solve with the grant  
• Population(s) and location(s) served 
• Specifications on what they will or won’t fund  
• Grant range/size  
• Criteria that align perfectly with your charity (then highlight these areas in your LOI) 
• Formatting requirements (font style & size, spacing, headings & subheads, word & character counts, margins, etc.) 
• Guidelines that disqualify your charity from eligibility 

Once you’re crystal clear about what the funder is looking for and certain your charity is a match, it’s time to begin writing.  

As you’re responding to the questions, make sure to: 

• Answer all questions asked  
• Answer all questions in the order they are asked 
• Answer each part of any multi-part questions, also in the order they are asked. iv   

And, once you’ve finished writing your brilliant letter of interest, leave time to:  

• Proofread, proofread, and proofread again. Some tips to catch errors are having someone else read your document or leaving the letter for several days and returning to it with fresh eyes.  
• Submit your LOI a few days before the deadline.  

Filling Out an Online LOI  

Some funders provide an online LOI template for your charity to complete. Many of these forms allow you to save your application so you can work on your LOI over the course of several days or weeks before submitting the final version.  

Keep in mind these forms may have word or character limits for each section of text. For those that don’t allow you to save your work, try copying the questions and text limits into a word document and answering the questions there. Once your document has been thoroughly edited, paste each section into the online form, complete your final review, and submit!  

The Waiting Game  

A timeline for when decisions will be made should be provided to all applicants with the call for LOIs. If you haven’t received a response a few weeks past the decision date, it’s a good idea to contact the charity funder – that is, unless they’ve specifically asked you not to reach out.  

Sometimes grant makers experience delays in their process, or heaven forbid, your acceptance letter got lost in the mail or an email landed in your junk mail folder.  

Reaching Out: Introducing Yourself to New Charity Funders  

Since most charity funders don’t issue formal calls for letters of interest, you’ll likely spend the bulk of your LOI-writing time focusing on scenario number two – reaching out to potential charity funders to introduce your organization. 

In fact, over 35% of Canadian grant making foundations can only be reached by snail mail. For these charity funders, a letter of interest is the only way to establish contact, assuming no one from your organization has an existing relationship with someone on the foundation’s board (more on leveraging relationships in Part 2).  

And while this may seem like a roadblock, it’s actually a golden opportunity for the small- to medium-sized charity. Based on our experience at Grant Advance, these foundations are like hidden treasure and your best bet for receiving grant funding.  

Here’s why: 

• Grantmaking foundations that keep a lower profile and only have a mailing address as their contact information are approached by fewer charities than their more well-known counterparts. 
• Charity funders receiving fewer phone calls, emails, and letters are more open to considering new partnerships.  
• Lesser-known foundations make funding decisions more quickly and require less information to do so; they’ll sometimes award grants based solely on LOIs without requesting full grant applications. v     

If that doesn’t make you want to dig deep and get started on writing your charity’s compelling LOI, I don’t know what will!  

How to Write a Grant Winning LOI  

Thankfully, there are tried-and-true industry guidelines for LOI content and structure, which you’ll learn in the six-step guide to writing a winning LOI for your charity.  

First, it’s helpful to understand two essential ingredients at play in all great letters of interest. These elements appear in all successful fundraising solicitation materials, or documents in which a donor is asked for money, too.  

The Two Essential Ingredients of a Successful LOI

Think about the goal of an LOI. You’re trying to convince the charity funder to consider reviewing a grant proposal. More than that, you’re trying to inspire them with your vision and cause, to give you funding.   The best way to get this result is to create a letter that presents a clear case for your cause while drawing from personal stories and anecdotes to evoke strong emotions from the person reading your submission.  

Head and Heart  

Giving is emotionally driven, and in general, the larger the gift, the more emotionally motivated. At the same time, humans love logic. Think left brain and right brain. Reason and emotion. A successful LOI needs to appeal to both.  

Craft your LOI like a legal argument, each section building off the last, and draw on the age-old art of storytelling to inject an element of emotion. You’ll make it an easy yes for the foundation directors.  

The most successful LOIs are also free from grammatical errors and jargon. They read seamlessly, as though you, the charity representative, are sitting in a room across from the grant-making organization, sharing your heartfelt appeal for funding face to face. The ideal letter will flow from word to word, sentence to sentence, and paragraph to paragraph logically and effortlessly.  

Six-Step Guide to Writing a Winning LOI for Your Charity  

Congratulations! You’ve learned all the basic information you need to know about LOIs.  

All that’s left now is to read the six-step guide to craft your winning letter of interest, and you’ll be ready to write.   

Part 1. The Summary Statement    

Ever heard the stat that over 50% of bosses make their decision on whether to hire a candidate within the first few minutes of a job interview? vi The opening paragraph of a LOI is like the first few minutes of an interview. It’s your first impression with the charity funder, and first impressions count. So, make sure to wow them with your opener! 

The LOI summary is where you’ll briefly introduce your charity, outline the need your charity exists to fill, the reasons why your organization and the foundation would make a great team, and your unique solution to the problem at hand.  

You’ll also outline your total project cost, the amount needed from the charity funder, and your request for the foundation to consider reviewing a grant application. In short, it’s a summary of what’s to come in your LOI, all rolled up logically and concisely into one tidy little paragraph.   

To summarize, your goal is to create a compelling four to six sentence opener that answers the following questions:   

•   Who is writing and why? I like to include the charity’s CRA# in parenthesis when introducing the organization name here.
• What is the problem your charity exists to serve and what is your proposed solution (the project)?  
• How does your charity and the project align with the charity funder’s mission and purpose? Or, why you think you’d make a great team.  
• What is the total project cost and how much do you need from the funder? It’s best practice to include your ask – or, how much you’re requesting from the specific funder receiving the letter – in the first paragraph.  
• How will the world be changed for the better if the funder makes the gift? Help the funder understand the difference their gift would make. Inspire and invite them to partner with you.  

There’s no need to follow the exact order noted above. Every LOI is different and each one will require a slightly different touch.  

A good way to test if you’ve included everything you need in your summary statement is to see if the paragraph makes sense as a stand-alone piece. Try reading it to someone who knows nothing about your charity and ask if they understand. Better yet, ask if it makes them want to give. If they answer yes to both questions, you’ve nailed it! 

Part 2. The Need Statement vii  

The need statement is where you share the problem your charity seeks to solve. This is where you’ll balance the   two essential ingredients of a winning letter of inquiry noted earlier: emotion and fact. 

Emotion  

Here, you have the greatest opportunity to help your reader feel intense emotions like sadness, grief, despair, anger, and frustration in response to the need you describe. While it may seem counterintuitive to want to evoke difficult negative emotions from your reader, remember that emotions motivate people to give. 

Use techniques like emotional storytelling, personal anecdotes, and pictures – always used with consent – to show the pain and hurt your charity is addressing. If possible, paint a picture of how the issue might impact the reader’s life – their family, friends, city, country, or planet.  

Help the reader understand the dire need your target population is facing so they feel compelled to alleviate the suffering and see the hope and inspiration offered by your brilliant solution. 

Fact  

And while emotion is important, facts, data and statistics are also key to establishing context and building your case. Aim for a few well-placed statistics to highlight the plight of the population and emphasize the need for a solution.   

When it comes to the right balance of emotion vs. fact, there’s no perfect formula. It depends on your charity, your need, who is reading, and many other factors. Since I don’t have a cookie-cutter answer, I’ll leave you with this: behind the door of every potential foundation funding partner is a  person with a heart . 

Part 3. Your Charity  

This section builds on the need statement by introducing your charity and its people as enthusiastic advocates on a mission to address the problem and establishing why you’re the right ones for the job. 

  Introducing Your Charity  

Start by clearly stating your charity’s mission, vision, and goals, specifically as they relate to solving the problem described in the need statement.  

Next, describe your organization’s activities, including the demographics and size of the population(s) served and the geographic region(s) where your organization is active.  

If you have space, explain when and how your charity was founded. Share the story of what led to your charity’s creation. Storytelling is a wonderful way to appeal to emotion and helps the funder connect with the human beings with hearts behind the doors of your potential foundation funder. 

Establishing Credibility  

Once you’ve introduced your organization and its work, it’s time to share your history of success to show the funder you’re capable of seeing projects through from start to finish and delivering programs with results. Think of this section as establishing credibility and laying the groundwork for when you send a full pitch for your proposed project.  

Successful Programs or Projects: Share one or two of your charity’s successful programs that’ve led to measurable change in your community. Whenever possible, include statistics to show the projects you’ve implemented have led to sustainable solutions and had measurable results. Storytelling or quotes from members of the population served work well to demonstrate the impact of your work.  

Awards, Rankings, or Accolades: You can also establish credibility by mentioning impressive awards, rankings, or accolades your charity has received that are relevant to the proposed project.  

If the foundation knows you’ve already achieved great things, they’ll have greater confidence in supporting you. So, if you’ve seen results, share them. You never know what’s going to set you apart from other organizations competing for the same grant funds.    

And if you’re a newer charity, don’t stress. You can still inspire confidence by sharing your grand vision for what you plan to achieve…all with a little grant funding, of course.  

Part 4. Project Description  

By now, you’ve hooked the potential funder with your captivating summary, created an emotional response with your need statement, and established your charity as the right organization to address the problem. 

It’s time to present your awe-inspiring solution. This is where you share the nitty-gritty details on what you plan to do and how you plan to do it.  

Keep in mind that while an LOI doesn’t need to provide as much detail as a grant proposal, it does need to offer enough information to show the charity funder your project is carefully planned and isn’t just a rough idea floating around in someone’s head. 

To give your LOI the best chance of success, make sure the project description answers the following questions: 

• How does the project serve your charity’s mission and goals? 
• How does the project address the need? 
• Who will the project serve? Include demographics and geographic region(s) 
• What are the anticipated project outcomes? What will be achieved and how will it be measured? 
• What is the timeline? Include your anticipated start and end dates. If the project is meeting an urgent need, mention that here.  
• How will the project be sustained financially once grant funding runs out? 

Just like the need statement, the project description is a brilliant opportunity to make your reader feel powerful emotions. Except this time, you’ll want them to feel things like hope, joy, gratitude, and excitement…all with the goal of inspiring support for your worthy cause. 

Part 5. The Ask  

You’ve outlined the problem, your charity’s response, and your clear plan to address the problem. Now, all you need is grant funding to turn your vision into reality.  

It’s time to outline your project budget, mention any other funding partners or revenue sources, share the total project cost, and ask the charity funder for a specific amount of money.  

To summarize, the ask section should answer the following:  

• What is the total budget for the project?  
• How will the funds be spent? Provide a high-level overview. A detailed budget is not expected at this stage.  
• Are there other funding partners or revenue sources? For example, other donors, fundraising events, government funding, or in-kind contributions of real estate, gifts of time, equipment, supplies, or products. If so, share how much funding you’ve raised already raised and how much you anticipate raising.  
• How much money do you need from the funder? Make sure to ask for a specific dollar amount clearly and directly.   

Close this section by painting a picture for the charity funder of how the world would be improved if they decided to partner with you and donate to this project.  

How would the population your charity serves be forever changed by the charity funder’s gift?  

Part 6. The Next Steps  

In the final section of your letter, thank the funder for taking the time to read your LOI and for considering your request to submit a grant application. Be sure to include your email address and phone number along with an offer for them to get in touch, should they have any questions or wish to speak with you further about your charity or the project.  

Finally, end with one line about what support from their foundation would allow you to accomplish, always relating it back to how their gift will meet the need your charity seeks to address.   

Now, give yourself a pat on the back because that was a lot of information, and you plowed right through it.  

All that’s left is to pick up your favorite writing instrument and start crafting your grant winning LOI.  With these fundamentals of LOI writing under your belt, we hope you have a better understanding of why they are so important for charity fundraising, and have the information you need to write LOIs that will impact foundation funders and inspire them to take action by partnering with your charity. It’s a lot of information to process, we know, but taking our tips to heart will certainly help to improve your fundraising efforts. If you’re looking for more ways to make fundraising, LOI and grant writing easier, Grant Advance is here to support you with our simple funding solution! Contact us today for a complementary research and strategy session and see how we can help your charity secure more funding for its cause!

By Laura Ralph, Fund Development Advisor Laura is a writing wizard with more than a decade of experience in higher education and medical fundraising.

i Karsh and Fox, 63.   ii Despite the two distinct definitions from experts Karsh and Fox, a quick Google search reveals the phrase letter of interest is used far more commonly than letter of inquiry. Letter of Intent is also used interchangeably with letter of interest to refer to a mini proposal style introductory letter from a charity to a charity funder. This suggests that Karsh’s and Fox’s fixed definitions don’t reach across the entire charitable sector.   iii https://www.peakgrantmaking.org/insights/ask-dr-streamline-wondering-roi-loi/   iv Karsh and Fox recommend including “subheads that reflect each question” to show the funder you’re responding directly to each of their questions. While there may not be room for this in your LOI, make it crystal clear you’re responding to each question they’ve asked.   v These observations are based on the reporting of clients of Grant Advance Solutions Inc.   vi https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/study-how-quickly-do-interviewers-really-make-decisions/   vii Unlike most resources that introduce the charity right after the summary statement, I recommend moving from the summary statement directly to the need statement, followed by the charity introduction. I prefer this order because it creates a stronger argument. The need statement lays the groundwork to present the charity as an answer to the need. On occasion, I will use the conventional order. There’s is no right or wrong answer – only what works best for your charity.  

Similar Posts

They said “No”—Now What?

So you have done the necessary research for your campaign and identified what looks to be some great Funders.

How to Supercharge Your Letter of Interest or Letter of Inquiry

Top 10 Tips to Take Your LOI from Good to Great (Plus a Must-Read Bonus Tip) Whether you’re a grant writing pro, a charity fundraising newbie, or somewhere in between,…

Grant Applications Goals Vs. Objectives

Grant applications have many components, and sometimes it can get a little overwhelming thinking about how to correctly address each section effectively. The “goal” and “objective” portions of grant applications tend to be the most confusing for individuals new to grant writing.

How Much Should I Ask For?

We’re often asked the question of how much money to ask from a Foundation. I’d love to tell you this is a simple yes or no answer, but the reality is…

How to Write a Dazzling Donor Impact Report…

Table of Contents How to Write a Dazzling Donor Impact Report Fundraisers! One of your top questions is how to report back to charity funders on all the good work…

Top 10 Essentials to Giving Charity Funders an Exceptional Thank You Experience  

We all learn as kids to say thank you when given a gift. And when a charity receives funding, it’s no different. While it may seem like winning a grant…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

513.554.3065 | [email protected]

Five Phase Grant Application Process

Impact 100’s funding cycle runs from fall of the current year to fall of the following year.  We welcome Nonprofit Applicants to walk with our members and teach us about your needs and our tri-state community through your application.

Letter of Intent

Grant application, financial review, site visit candidate, grant finalist, 1. letter of intent (loi).

November – January: The first step for grant applicants is to submit an LOI using Impact 100’s online submission system.  Impact 100 members serving on Grant Review Teams evaluate the submitted Letters of Intent and, by February, select organizations to invite to complete a grant application.

2024 Letter of Intent is now Closed

2.  grant application.

February – March : Organizations selected by Impact 100 to complete a grant application must submit their applications including all attachments via our Online Grant Application.

For an overview of the full grant application and the required attachments, see the Grant Training materials.

• Sample Application Sections for Reference

In addition to the grant application a number of financial documents will be required. All documents must be submitted in PDF, except for the 2024 Impact Grant Application Financials workbook, which must be submitted in Excel format:

• Program Budget or Capital Budget
• Total Budget and YTD Actual: current fiscal year, including column showing the organizations year-to-date status
• Statement of Revenue & Expenses (Income Statement): most recent completed fiscal year and previous two years
• Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet): most recent completed fiscal year and previous two years
• Independently reviewed/compiled financial statements
• Pro forma budgets for the next three years if there are ongoing expenses associated with your project that increase the organization’s operating expenses by 20% or more, or, if this is a new initiative

Impact 100 also requires a number of non-financial documents (all documents must be submitted in PDF):

• Diversity Data Worksheet
• Names, affiliations, and demographics of board members
• List of key staff or an organizational chart
• Please scan all letters of commitment into one PDF prior to uploading

Once your application is submitted, you will receive acknowledgment of receipt of your application within 24 hours.  Impact 100 Grant Review Teams will review the applications and will select and notify Site Visit Candidates by Spring.

3. Financial Review

April:  The Community Investment Review Committee (CIRC) is responsible for taking an in-depth look at the grant applicant’s financials, prior to a site visit. CIRC members review the financial health of the nonprofit and the details of the project budget. Questions and concerns are addressed during the site visit. Based on all of the provided financial information, CIRC votes on whether or not to approve the grant applicant as a finalist

4. Site Visit Candidate

April – May: A Site Visit Coordinator from the Grant Review team will coordinate arrangements for the visit.

The objective of the site visit is to complete a due diligence review and to resolve any remaining questions regarding the organization and the proposed program or project. The site visit will be approximately 60-90 minutes long and the interview questions and agenda will be established ahead of time by the Site Visit Coordinator and the organization.

Impact 100 Grant Review teams will select one to two finalists, which will be reviewed by a cross-Grant Review team committee. Finalists will be announced in June at our Meet the Finalists Event.

5. Grant Finalist

June – September: Grant Review Teams will prepare a 1-page Executive Summary for each finalist. Each finalist will record a 5-minute video pitch for their proposed program/project. Both the Executive Summary and the video will be shared with all Impact 100 members, who will review and then rank their selections for the grant awards. The highest-ranked finalists across the membership will be chosen as grant recipients.

Focus Areas

Culture Cultivate, develop, educate and improve the cultural climate.

Education Further the ability to educate and improve education.

Environment Preservation, & Recreation Preserve, enhance, revitalize or restore facilities and surroundings.

Family Strengthen and enhance the lives of children and families.

Health & Wellness Positively impact the mental or physical health and wellness of people.

Search form

• Intent Letter

Letter of Intent for Grant Funding

A Letter of Intent for Grant Funding is a formal document submitted to a grant-making organization, outlining a proposed project or program and requesting financial support. The letter serves as an initial step in the grant application process, allowing the organization to gauge the applicant's eligibility and suitability for funding.

The letter typically consists of several parts, including an introduction, a description of the proposed project or program, a statement of need or problem to be addressed, and a summary of the applicant's qualifications and experience. The letter should also include a clear request for funding and a statement of the expected outcomes or impact of the proposed project.

Important fields to consider when compiling a Letter of Intent for Grant Funding include the proposed budget, timeline, and expected outcomes or impact of the project. It is also important to include information about the applicant's experience and qualifications, as well as any partnerships or collaborations involved in the proposed project.

Examples of use for a Letter of Intent for Grant Funding include seeking funding for research projects, community development initiatives, and social programs. The letter is typically submitted to a grant-making organization, such as a foundation or government agency, and may be required as part of a larger grant application process.

Parties involved in the Letter of Intent for Grant Funding include the applicant or organization seeking funding, and the grant-making organization or agency providing the funding. It is important for the applicant to research and identify potential grant-making organizations that align with their proposed project or program and meet their funding needs.

Letter of Intent for Grant Funding sample

Dear [Grant-making organization name], I am writing to express my interest in applying for a grant to support my proposed project, [Project Name]. The project aims to [Project Description], with the goal of [Project Goal or Objective]. As a [Applicant's Qualification or Experience], I am confident in my ability to successfully carry out this project and achieve the intended outcomes. I have identified a need for this type of program in [Target Community or Population], and believe that it has the potential to make a significant impact. The proposed budget for this project is [Proposed Budget], which includes costs for [Budget Details]. The timeline for the project is [Project Timeline], with the expected outcomes and impact outlined in the attached proposal. I am excited about the opportunity to partner with [Collaborating Partners or Organizations], and believe that this project has the potential to make a significant impact in [Target Community or Population]. I am committed to ensuring that the project is carried out with the highest level of professionalism and accountability. Thank you for considering my letter of intent. I look forward to the opportunity to submit a full grant proposal and provide additional information about this important project. Sincerely, [Applicant's Name]

Benefits of a Letter of Intent for Grant Funding include the opportunity to secure funding for a proposed project or program, as well as the potential for increased visibility and recognition for the applicant or organization. However, there are also risks involved, such as the possibility of not being awarded funding or the need to revise and resubmit the proposal.

Related and alternative forms to a Letter of Intent for Grant Funding may include full grant proposals, grant applications, and letters of inquiry. These forms may require more detailed information and documentation than a letter of intent, and may be submitted at later stages in the grant application process.

Analogues to a Letter of Intent for Grant Funding may include other types of grant proposals or funding requests, such as business proposals or requests for sponsorship. However, it is important to note that the specific requirements and expectations for a Letter of Intent for Grant Funding may differ from other types of proposals or requests.

The form can influence the future of the participants by providing them with the funding necessary to carry out their proposed project or program. Successful funding can lead to increased visibility, recognition, and impact for the applicant or organization.

The Letter of Intent for Grant Funding is typically submitted electronically or by mail to the grant-making organization or agency. It is important to follow the specific submission guidelines provided by the organization, including any deadlines or formatting requirements. The form is typically stored by the grant-making organization for record-keeping purposes.

Popular today

Recent view.

GRANT INFORMATION

The Foundation makes grants to support capital campaigns, capital asset improvements, and maintenance.

The Foundation geographic area of interests is Montana.  

Grant requests for $10,000 or less can be submitted to the Foundation any time.

Grants over $10,000 may be submitted up to and until this grant cycles due date of June 17, 2024, by 12:00 pm.

Generally, the Foundation has four grant periods per year.

Letter of Intent

PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A GRANT APPLICATION, submit a ONE-page letter to the Foundation providing the following information:

• Your complete contact information (name, phone, email, & address)
• Brief description of the project
• Your IRS status
• Total project cost
• Amount requested
• Funds you have on hand and the source of that funding. The Foundation requires grant seekers to have raised a minimum of 50% of the project’s cost in hand or committed prior to submitting your application to us.
• Other funds you have applied for and from whom

Please provide only the information requested.

Following receipt of this letter a determination will be made if you will be invited to submit a grant application.

Letters of Intent may be emailed to [email protected] or sent via Postal Service to P.O. Box 1479, Helena, Montana 59624. Letters of Intent requesting above $10,000 must be received within three weeks prior to the application deadline which will be posted on the website.

These are just a few of the non-profit organizations that our grants have helped.

Treacy Foundation

P.O. Box 1479 Helena, Montana 59624 406.443.3549 406.443.6183 (fax) [email protected]

• Our History & Board
• Our Mission
• Scholarships

© 2024 Treacy Foundation. The Treacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization per IRS regulation.

Creating Opportunity & Independence

Harnessing the power of collaboration to increase independence for all individuals living with SCI, the Creating Opportunity & Independence (CO&I) portfolio supports non profit organizations providing programs and services that are community-driven, empowering, and inclusive of all ages and backgrounds to enhance quality of life.

Community Support Grants

This funding underwrites specific projects, ongoing programs, and/or capacity building with a specific focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization and in the communities they serve. Community Support Grants are for one or two years.

Application Process

Upcoming dates.

• January 2, 2024 Letter of Intent opens for 2024 cycle
• January 29, 2024 Letter of Intent closes for 2024 cycle
• March 31, 2024 Letter of Intent results announced for 2024 cycle
• April 19, 2024 Full Grant Applications due for 2024 cycle
• October 1, 2024 Awards announced for 2024 cycle

Have questions about this program and how to apply? We’re here to help!

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Grant Application Procedure

Foundation grant schedule.

• The Letter of Intent (LOI’s) open on June 30, 2024 .
• The deadline for submitting a Letter of Intent for the 2024 Valentine Foundation grant cycle is August 31, 2024.
• If your LOI is selected, the full application is due October 25, 2024. 
• The Valentine Foundation awards grants once a year by the end of November 2024 .
• Letter of Intent (LOI)Questions  For information only, LOI must be completed and submitted online.
• Application Questions   For information only, Application must be submitted online
• Grant Application Guidelines
• Social Change Indicators Matrix (PDF) You may discuss more than one Social Change Indicator with your application, but you must designate one as primary.

2024 Virtual Information Sessions

We will be hosting two virtual (Zoom) information sessions for applicants:

Session 1- TBD

Session 2- TBD

If you are unable to make either scheduled Zoom meeting and have a question, please email us at [email protected] .

• May 17, 2021 at 10:00am EDST Join the Conversation Meeting ID: 973 3873 8961 Passcode: 328477
• May 17, 2021 at 5:00pm EDST Join the Conversation Meeting ID: 972 6357 5454 Passcode: 258249

Apply Online

Letters of Intent, Grant Applications and any additional required forms must be submitted online . LOI’s are due August 31, 2024 . Grant Applications are due October 25, 2024 .

Start Your Application Here

Having trouble with the online application?

Please review these instructional resources for completing your online application.

• Account Creation (video)
• Apply for a Grant (video)
• Applicant Tutorial (Google doc)
• Video Walkthrough

Grant Evaluation Process

The Valentine Foundation Trustees will review all of the letters of interest after the August 31, 2024 submissions. They will rank the proposals in our grantmaking system and the top proposals will be discussed at meeting in October.

The organizations that are selected at this stage of the process will be contacted by a Trustee, given feedback about the request and invited to submit a full proposal. The Trustees meet again in November to review the detailed proposals and make the final grant allocations. The grants are mailed by the end of November.

Celebrating over 35 Years of Funding Social Change for Women & Girls