Categories
Grant Writing for Non-Profits

How To Structure A Compelling Letter Of Inquiry (LOI) To Be Invited To Submit A Full Grant Proposal [Video]

How To Structure A Compelling Letter Of Inquiry (LOI) To Be Invited To Submit A Full Grant Proposal

Have you ever found the perfect grant for your organization and as you’re reading through some of the initial guidelines you come across, “Letter of Inquiry required” or “We do not accept unsolicited requests”?

What does that mean? Basically, you must be invited to apply – you’re not on the guest list! 😱

So, how do you write a Letter of Inquiry? We’ve got you covered! 👍

Here is a free training on how to build a career in grant writing: https://www.learngrantwriting.org/webinar-videos/discover-grant-writing

📢 If there are instructions from the funder on how to structure a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), follow them. If not, you can follow the structure outlined below.

📢 Remember: LOIs must be compelling and well-written so that grant funders can make an educated decision about how a potential partnership could work with your organization.

1️⃣ Impact Story
This will be an immediate attention grabber that highlights the transformational work of your organization.

2️⃣ Mission and Brief History of Organization
Here’s where you can share an overview about your organization’s mission or its tangible transformation sentence. This section needs to be direct and declarative.

3️⃣ The Need
Here’s where you want to tell the grant funder about the problem and why it matters. Use data and statistics to support your request. 📈

4️⃣ The Cost of Inaction
What happens if the program or project goes unfunded? How would it affect the individuals you serve? The community? The future? Use emotion.

5️⃣ Your Program or Project
Describe the primary goal of your program or project along with measurable objectives. You can also introduce a budget snapshot with the amount of money you’re requesting and how it will be used. 💲

6️⃣ Summary
End your letter by restating your goals and the problem your organization is solving. Call attention to the alignment of their funding priorities to your program or project. Last, ask for an invitation to apply and invite the funder to contact you should they need further information.

➡️ FYI: LOIs can be difficult to prepare. They’re often more challenging than the actual grant proposal. Don’t underestimate the importance of or the work required for an LOI. ⚒️

Like reading? Check out Meredith’s 2nd edition of How to Write a Grant: Become a Grant Writing Unicorn. www.amazon.com/How-Write-Grant-Writing-Unicorn-ebook/dp/B0969G2R7J

Still have questions about the Global Grant Writers Collective? Check out this elaborate FAQ page: https://www.learngrantwriting.org/faq

Or, email info@senworks.org.

🧡 The Team at Learn Grant Writing
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:08 Follow The Funder’s Instructions For LOI’s
01:38 An LOI Must Be Well Written
02:00 Impact Story
02:42 Mission And Brief History Of Organization
03:26 The Need
04:03 The Cost Of Inaction
05:06 Your Program Or Project
06:02 Summary
06:45 Recap
07:50 Don’t Underestimate The Importance Of Or The Work Required For A LOI

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Categories
Grant Writing for Non-Profits

Veteran Grants: Business, Education, Farm, Home (Tutorial, Links) [Video]

This video is PACKED with grants and services from government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations, for veterans – including disabled veterans - who want to start a small business; start a farm; buy, adapt, or repair a home; and pursue college or career training. Special note: Some of these grant funds are from veterans, for veterans, offering not only dollars but a large community of other veterans as mentors and colleagues. Time Stamps:00:00 There are many grants available for veterans00:30 Grants for veterans to start a business01:11 Grants for veterans to start a farm01:28 Grants for veterans to buy, repair, or adapt a home02:19 Education and training grants for veterans03:26 Meeting immediate needsIf you are in personal crisis, these services are available. VA benefit enrollment is NOT required:Veterans Crisis LineCALL 1-800-273-8255, Press 1TEXT 838255CHAT https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/Military Crisis LineCALL 1-800-273-8255, Press 1TEXT 838255CHAT https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/military-crisis-line/ Related Grant Chatter videos:The Small Business Administration, Grants for Small Business, https://youtu.be/EXThoaHxvzo Grants for Disabled Persons, https://youtu.be/q-ZB53CNLhM Links mentioned in video (NO affiliation. NO paid promotion):Grants for veterans to start a businesshttps://streetsharesfoundation.org/the-veteran-small-business-awardhttps://www.warriorrising.org/ Find SBA offices near you, https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-locations/headquarters-offices/office-veterans-business-development/office-veterans-business-development-resourcesSBA business guide, https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/veteran-owned-businesses Service Corps of Retired Executives, or SCORE, https://www.score.org/resources-veteran-entrepreneursVA Veteran Entrepreneur Portal, https://www.va.gov/OSDBU/entrepreneur/index.asp Grants for veterans to start a farmFarmer Veteran Coalition, https://farmvetco.org/fvfellowship/USDA information (2 links), https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/initiatives/veterans/veterans-and-entrepreneurship#I and https://www.nal.usda.gov/legacy/aglaw/veteran-farming#quicktabs-aglaw_pathfinder=0USDA Service Center, https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/USDA-service-centers Grants for veterans to buy, repair, or adapt a homehttps://purplehearthomesusa.org/apply/https://www.habitat.org/stories/helping-us-veterans-critical-home-repairs https://homesforwoundedwarriors.com/veterans-apply/ https://operationhomefront.org/housing/ https://corporate.homedepot.com/foundation/partnershipshttps://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/#get-veterans-housing-assistance Education and career grants, plus trades training for veterans2 long lists of scholarship options for veterans, http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/veterans.htmhttps://usveteransmagazine.com/list-of-military-scholarships-for-service-members-spouses-and-dependents/VA, https://www.va.gov/education/ Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/start-up/ebv/ Home Builders Institute, https://corporate.homedepot.com/foundation/tradestraining and https://hbi.org/military-programs/ Lockheed Martin Heroes Program, https://www.lockheedmartinjobs.com/lockheed-martin-heroes Hiring our Heroes, https://www.hiringourheroes.org/career-services/fellowships/ SkillBridge, https://skillbridge.osd.mil/index.htm Warrior Care Program, https://www.socom.mil/care-coalition/ What about immediate needs?(1) Veteran and Military Crisis Lines are listed above(2) Food, clothing, emergency shelter, help with bills, or immediate repairs, you can also call 2-1-1More information at https://www.211.org/(3) Free help with municipal, circuit and probate courts in your state by contacting Connect2Help.orghttps://connect2help211.org/ About the VAFor VA benefits, find your nearest Veteran Service Office: https://nvf.org/veteran-service-officers/ Grant Chatter on Instagram: https://www.instagram dot com/grantchatter/ Grant Chatter on Facebook: https://www.facebook dot com/grant.chatter.5 Subscribe to Grant Chatter, to learn how to find grants, write grants, and win them! Thank you for watching. See you in the next video!