Worksheet 21 Letter Of Inquiry Questionnaire: What Is The Pu

Worksheet 21 Letter Of Inquiry Questionnaire1what Is The Purpose

WORKSHEET 2.1: Letter of Inquiry Questionnaire 1. What is the purpose of this letter of inquiry? To whom is it being sent, and what is the connection? Click here to type your input 2. What year was your organization founded? What year was it incorporated? Click here to type your input 3. What is the mission of your organization? Click here to type your input 4. What are the long-term goals for your organization? Click here to type your input 5. What programs does your organization provide that support these goals? Click here to type your input 6. What is the need in your community that you seek funding to address? Click here to type your input 7. How in your organizaiton’s view is the need related to our programs, long-term goals, and mission? Click here to type your input 8. What do we propose to do about this need? Click here to type your input 9. What outcome do we anticipate after the first year of funding? Click here to type your input 10. What is the total cost of our proposed idea for the first year (or multiple years if we plan to request multiple-year funding)? How much do we want from this funder? Click here to type your input 11. Who will be contacting the funder to determine its interest and when? Whom should the funder contact for more information? Click here to type your input Now that you have finished answering the questions, you can take the information and build a letter of inquiry. The ideal way to write the letter is to follow this format: opening, background, problem statement, proposed solution, closing. The questions you answered here followed this format. Winning Grants Step by Step, Third Edition Scanned with CamScanner Scanned with CamScanner Scanned with CamScanner Scanned with CamScanner Scanned with CamScanner Scanned with CamScanner Scanned with CamScanner Scanned with CamScanner Scanned with CamScanner Scanned with CamScanner

Paper For Above instruction

A well-crafted letter of inquiry is a fundamental step in securing grant funding for nonprofit organizations. It serves as a preliminary contact with potential funders, intended to gauge their interest and lay the groundwork for a formal proposal. The purpose of this letter is to succinctly communicate the organization's mission, identify the community need, and propose a viable solution aligned with the funder's priorities. The letter must be tailored to the specific funder, demonstrating a clear understanding of both parties' goals and establishing a connection that fosters trust and interest.

Understanding the founding year and incorporation date of the organization establishes credibility and history, reflecting stability and experience in addressing community issues. Clearly stating the organization’s mission and long-term goals helps align the proposed project with the broader organizational strategy and vision. These elements are essential in positioning the organization as a capable and goal-oriented entity that aligns with the funder's interests.

Programs offered by the organization should directly support the objectives mentioned. detailing how these programs address community needs enhances the proposal’s persuasiveness. The need identified in the community must be specific, evidence-based, and relevant; this contextual grounding provides the basis for the proposed intervention. Connecting the community need to the organization's mission and long-term goals demonstrates relevance and strategic intent, which are critical for securing funding.

The proposed solution should be concise, actionable, and feasible within the context of the requested funding. It should specify what will be done, how it aligns with identified needs, and the anticipated impact. The expected outcomes after the first year should be measurable, highlighting tangible changes or benefits resulting from the funding.

Financial details—total costs and the amount requested—must be transparent and justifiable. This transparency builds trust and shows fiscal responsibility, while also clearly indicating how funds will be used. It may be necessary to specify who will be the main point of contact for the funder, ensuring that communication remains open and proactive.

Following this structure—opening, background, problem statement, proposed solution, and closing—creates a cohesive narrative that effectively communicates the importance of the project, the organization's capacity, and the alignment with the funder's mission. A compelling letter of inquiry thus increases the likelihood of securing funding to support community initiatives.

References

  • Cosgrove, M. (2006). Winning grants step by step (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Glamuzina, L., & Hendry, L. B. (2014). Grant Writing for Dummies. For Dummies.
  • Gschwend, T. (2020). Effective Grant Writing for Nonprofits. Routledge.
  • Feather, J., & Chartier, T. (2009). Fundraising principles and practice (4th ed.).. Routledge.
  • Shirley, C. (2004). Write a winning grant proposal. The Foundation Center.
  • Sullivan, C., Cooter, E., & McLean, P. (2017). Nonprofit Management: Principles and Practice. Routledge.
  • Harvey, M. (2012). The Complete Guide to Grant Writing. Wiley.
  • McLaughlin, C., & Valencic, K. (2010). Strategic Fundraising: A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Kettner, P., Moroney, R., & Martin, L. (2017). Designing and Managing Programs: An Effectiveness-Based Approach. SAGE Publications.
  • Renz, D. O. (2016). The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management. Wiley.