| You get an invitation to submit your grant to a | | | | your cause. |
| private organization, or a government agency selects | | | | For example: |
| a few companies to send their solution to a problem | | | | A recently study by the U.S. Department of Labor |
| that need solving. In these cases, you wouldn't write | | | | states that... |
| a full-blown proposal, so your best bet is presenting | | | | Section Four: So You Told Me the Problem; How Are |
| them with a letter proposal. A Letter proposal is a | | | | You Going to Solve It? |
| hybrid of a cover letter and proposal, and is only two | | | | Summarize your solution ensuring that it is no longer |
| to four pages long. We will discuss the seven | | | | than a page. Ensure that your confidence in solving |
| sections of a letter proposal, and give tips so you will | | | | the problem is shown through your words. Avoid |
| get the funding or be invited to write a full-length | | | | using the passive voice. |
| proposal | | | | Section Five: What Makes You Think You Can Solve |
| Section One: Why Are You Writing and What Is This | | | | This Issue? |
| All About? | | | | You want to show the sponsor that you are more |
| If you spoke to the sponsor, or were invited by | | | | than capable of resolving this issue. You must show |
| someone that they know to write the letter | | | | that your organization has a good reputation, your |
| proposal, you want to acknowledge that in the | | | | management approach is more than credible, and |
| beginning. | | | | your idea will come to a reality. |
| For example: | | | | Section Six: How Did You Come Up With Those |
| Dear Mr. Jackson: | | | | Numbers? |
| It was wonderful speaking to you at Company A's | | | | You asked the sponsor for a certain amount of |
| holiday party last week. As we discussed, our | | | | money. In this section, you want to break it down to |
| organization is launching a new series of workshops.... | | | | show how you came up with that budget. Make sure |
| After you familiarize yourself with the sponsor, you | | | | you express it in a creditable unit. |
| want to summarize what sets you apart from other | | | | For example: |
| similar organizations, what you want from the | | | | We are hoping you will consider making a gift of |
| sponsor, the amount of money you are requesting, | | | | $90,000. This is $150 per student for the next five |
| and your project's goals and outcomes. | | | | years.... |
| Section Two: Why Do I Care About This? | | | | Section Seven: Wrapping it All Up |
| In this section, you want to show the sponsor that | | | | Close with what is the desired action you want the |
| you have done your homework. Before writing, you | | | | sponsor to make. Additionally, you want to give them |
| want to do research on the sponsor, their funding | | | | a contact person. Avoid typical closings, such as "We |
| pattern, and recent news that will give you an idea | | | | hope to hear from you soon." |
| of the direction they are taking their organization. | | | | For example: |
| After doing the research, you want to tell the | | | | With your company's gift of $90,000, Our |
| sponsor why you are approaching them. | | | | Organization will be able to create innovative and |
| For example: | | | | valuable workshops that will assist in resolving the |
| Your organization has given $1,000,000 to workshop | | | | issue. Please contact Mr. POC at (555) 555-5555, or |
| development to various companies. Additionally, in | | | | also at with any questions or comments that you |
| your newsletter, you are hoping for workshops | | | | have. |
| dealing with [x] matter. Our workshops are dealing | | | | A letter proposal written in this fashion will get your |
| with this situation... | | | | grant noticed above the rest of the pile. Sometimes |
| Section Three: What Is the Problem You are Trying | | | | it is even more important than a full-blown proposal |
| to Solve? | | | | because it gives the sponsor a first impression about |
| You want to show how your solution will benefit the | | | | your organization. You can use also use these tips for |
| sponsor; not you. Ensure that you have clear, action | | | | a business proposal. Write it, edit it, have someone |
| statements that anyone will be able to understand. | | | | with experience read it over, and you will be ready |
| Try using recent surveys, research, and statistics to | | | | to send that letter proposal over to your potential |
| back your solution. However, do not use too many | | | | sponsor. |
| because it might be more harmful than helpful to | | | | |