Letter of Inquiry Template

A complete grant letter of inquiry you can edit: funder fit, need, project, and a clear ask, all on one page.

A complete grant letter of inquiry, prefilled with a strong example you can edit

[APPLICANT ORGANIZATION LETTERHEAD]
[Street Address] | [City, State ZIP] | [Phone] | [Website]

[Month Day, Year]

[Program Officer Name]
[Title]
[Foundation Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Dear [Program Officer Name],

[Applicant Organization] respectfully requests $[Amount] over [length, for example "two years"] to support [Project Title], a program that will [one sentence on what the project does and for whom]. We are approaching [Foundation Name] because your commitment to [name the foundation's stated priority] aligns closely with this work, and because [one specific reason this funder in particular is the right fit].

THE NEED
[Open with the single most compelling, locally specific fact about the problem.] According to [Source, Year], [data point that establishes scale and urgency in your service area]. For the [target population] we serve, this means [describe the human consequence in one or two sentences]. Existing services [explain the gap, for example "reach only a fraction of eligible families and end at the third grade, leaving older students without support"].

WHO WE ARE
Founded in [Year], [Applicant Organization] is a [tax status, for example 501(c)(3) nonprofit] with a mission to [mission in one clause]. We currently [describe scale and reach, for example "operate four neighborhood centers and serve 2,300 residents a year"]. Our relevant track record includes [one or two concrete, measurable results, for example "raising on-time reading proficiency by 14 percent across three partner schools in 2025"].

OUR PROPOSED PROJECT
[Project Title] will [describe the core approach in two or three sentences: what you will do, who delivers it, and the dosage or frequency]. The project's primary objective is that, by [date], [state the main measurable outcome, for example "300 students will gain at least one reading level, measured by pre and post assessment"]. We will track progress through [name the evaluation method] and report results to [Foundation Name] at the midpoint and close of the grant.

BUDGET AND OTHER SUPPORT
The total project budget is $[Total] per year. We are requesting $[Amount] from [Foundation Name] and have secured or pending $[Amount] from [other source]. Requested funds would primarily cover [top two or three cost categories, for example "two reading specialists and assessment materials"].

We would welcome the opportunity to submit a full proposal and to discuss how this work advances our shared goals. Thank you for considering this request. I can be reached directly at [phone] or [email].

Sincerely,

[Signature]

[Full Name]
[Title]
[Applicant Organization]

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HOW TO USE THIS LETTER OF INQUIRY (delete before sending)

A letter of inquiry, sometimes called an LOI or letter of intent, is a short pitch, usually one to two pages, that a foundation reads before deciding whether to invite a full proposal. Treat it as a screening conversation, not a mini-grant.

What makes an LOI advance to the next round:
1. Funder fit stated up front. Name the funder's own priority in the first paragraph and explain why you chose them. Mass-mailed LOIs read as mass-mailed.
2. A need that is specific and local. One sharp, sourced statistic about your community beats three national ones.
3. A clear ask. State the dollar amount and the length of the request early. Program officers need to know the size of the request to know if you are a fit.
4. Proof you can deliver. One measurable past result does more than a paragraph of mission language.
5. Brevity. If the funder specifies a length or a portal form, follow it exactly. When in doubt, keep it under two pages.

Always check the funder's guidelines first. Many foundations specify required LOI sections, word limits, or an online form. Their instructions override any template, including this one.

Want an LOI written to a specific foundation's priorities, not a generic pitch? Get a flat-fee quote →

How to use this letter of inquiry template

This letter of inquiry template gives you a complete one to two page LOI prefilled with a strong example you can copy, download, and adapt. A letter of inquiry, sometimes called a letter of intent, is the short pitch a foundation reads before deciding whether to invite a full proposal. Treat it as a screening conversation, not a condensed grant. Edit the example in place, swap in your own details, and delete the guidance notes before you send it.

What moves an LOI to the next round is funder fit stated up front. Name the foundation's own priority in the first paragraph and explain why you chose them, because mass-mailed letters read as mass-mailed. Back your statement of need with one sharp, sourced local statistic rather than three national ones, state your dollar ask and the length of the request early, and prove you can deliver with one measurable past result. Above all, respect the funder's instructions: many foundations specify required sections, word limits, or an online form, and those rules override any template.

Once a funder invites a full application, you will expand the LOI into a complete proposal. See how the pieces connect in our grant proposal template and our guide to how to write a grant proposal, and sharpen the need section with our statement of need guide. For the full method behind the inquiry letter itself, read our letter of inquiry guide.

This template is a starting point, not a promise of an award. What it does is get your project in front of the right program officer in the form they expect. When you want an LOI written to a specific foundation's priorities, our grant research service can match you to the right funders first, or request a flat-fee quote and a certified grant professional will respond within one business day.

Frequently asked questions

How do you write a letter of inquiry?+

State your funding request and the amount in the first paragraph, then move through four short sections: the need, who you are, your proposed project with its main outcome, and a brief budget summary. Lead with why this funder in particular is the right fit, keep the whole letter to one or two pages, and close by offering to submit a full proposal. Follow any length or format the funder specifies.

What is the format of a letter of inquiry?+

A letter of inquiry uses standard business letter format: your letterhead, the date, the program officer's name and address, a salutation, and a signature block. The body runs one to two pages and typically covers the request and funder fit, the need, your organization, the project and its outcomes, and a budget summary. Many foundations replace the letter with an online form, so check their guidelines first.

What is a letter of inquiry?+

A letter of inquiry, also called an LOI or letter of intent, is a short pitch sent to a foundation before a full proposal. It lets the funder decide quickly whether your project fits their priorities and whether to invite a complete application. Think of it as a screening conversation, not a condensed grant proposal.

What are the basic parts of a letter of inquiry?+

A complete letter of inquiry has five core parts: an opening that states the request, the amount, and why this funder fits; a statement of need with one strong local fact; a short organizational background with proof you can deliver; a description of the proposed project and its main measurable outcome; and a brief budget summary with other committed funding. It closes with an offer to submit a full proposal.

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