How to Use a Letter of Inquiry to Get a Grant

Grants are free money out for grabs. Sometimes you find the perfect request for proposal to answer, but sometimes you do not. A letter of inquiry can get you the grant or an opportunity to submit a full proposal for the grant.

Instructions

1. Understand the value of a good letter of inquiry. It may convince the funding agency that you deserve the grant and with no more work on your part they will award it to you. It also can convince them to ask you for a proposal and fund your project even though it is not the type of project they typically fund.

2. Start: The letter will start with language showing that you have researched the funder and connected their mission goals to your project goals. It may start, as you stated in your 2008 Ozone Plan the key to clean air is public participation, my project will empower the public to protect air quality by reducing pollution.

3. The body of the letter should have three paragraphs. These should give some background about the project and you or the business completing the project. This will help sell it. It should also talk about the time required to complete the project. It should include information on the qualitative and quantitative measures that will be used to evaluate the project's success.

4. The next paragraph should discuss how much money you are asking for and specifics about how the money will be spent. It should also mention any matching funds that will be provided and other awards granted for the project, if applicable.

5. The last paragraph will thank them for their time, offer to discuss the project in more detail or submit a full proposal, and give them all of your contact information (business phone, cell phone, e-mail, and address).

Tips & Warnings

• Proofread- With a letter this short a single error can make you look sloppy and make them question if you can handle administering a grant.

• Follow up: Approximately a week after sending the letter contact them to see if they have any questions you can answer. Show that you are an aggressive go-getting that will make the project a success, if awarded the grant.