How long should a letter of inquiry be?

Follow the funder's limit. If none is given, two to three pages is typical.

Should a letter of inquiry include a budget?

Include the amount requested and the total project cost. A detailed budget is usually saved for the full proposal unless the funder asks for one.

Who should sign a letter of inquiry?

Usually the executive director or board chair, with a named contact for follow-up.

Letter of Inquiry for a Grant: How to Write One + Example

Q: What is a letter of inquiry for a grant?

A short document, usually two to three pages, that introduces your organization and project to a funder to see if they will invite a full proposal.

A letter of inquiry (LOI) is a short, two to three page document that introduces your organization and project to a funder and asks whether they would like a full proposal. Include: an introduction with the amount requested, the need, the project, the expected outcomes, your organization's credibility, the budget total and other funding, and a closing with contact details. Follow the funder's format and page limit exactly.

Many foundations use LOIs to shortlist applicants. A strong LOI is often the difference between being invited to apply and being screened out.

Structure of a letter of inquiry

Introduction: who you are, what you request, for what, and how it fits the funder's priorities.
Need: the problem and the people affected, with local evidence.
Project: what you will do, for whom, over what period.
Outcomes: what will change and how you will measure it.
Organization: why you are able to deliver, with a key achievement.
Budget: total project cost, amount requested, other funding secured or pending.
Closing: thanks, contact person, offer to provide more information.

Example letter of inquiry

Example

Dear Ms. Adeyemi,

Greenfield Community Gardens requests $25,000 from the Harlow Foundation toward a $40,000 project to create a teaching garden and weekly food skills classes for 120 families in the Northbrook estate. This aligns with the Foundation's priority of improving food security in underserved neighbourhoods.

Northbrook has no supermarket within walking distance, and a local survey of 200 households found that nearly half struggle to afford fresh vegetables.

Over 12 months we will convert a disused lot into a 30-plot teaching garden, run weekly cooking and growing classes, and distribute surplus produce through the estate's community hub.

We expect at least 100 families to complete a growing season, and participants to report eating more vegetables in a follow-up survey.

Since 2019, Greenfield has created four community gardens serving more than 600 residents, with support from the city council and two local foundations.

The total project cost is $40,000. The city has committed $8,000 and in-kind use of the land, and we have applied to a second funder for $7,000.

Thank you for considering this inquiry. I would welcome the opportunity to submit a full proposal. Please contact me at [email] or [phone].

Sincerely,
[Name], Executive Director

Tips for a strong LOI

Open with the ask. Reviewers should know the amount and purpose in the first paragraph.
Use the funder's language from their guidelines and mission.
Be concrete: numbers, places, timeframes.
Keep it short. If they want more, they will invite a proposal.
Address it to a named person where possible.
Proofread names, especially the funder's.

After the LOI

If invited, you will write the full proposal: see our step-by-step guide on how to write a grant proposal. If declined, ask politely whether the funder can share feedback, and check when you can reapply.

How to Write a Letter of Inquiry for a Grant (With Example)

Structure of a letter of inquiry

Example letter of inquiry

Tips for a strong LOI

After the LOI

Frequently asked questions

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