Write your Letter of Inquiry
Describe your project and funding need. Get a complete 2-page LOI ready to submit to foundations.
Write your Letter of Inquiry
River's Letter of Inquiry Writer creates complete LOIs for foundation fundraising. You provide foundation name, project details, funding request, and alignment rationale. The AI generates a professional 2-page letter including introduction, project description, organizational qualifications, funding request, and next steps. You get polished LOIs ready to submit to foundations requiring inquiry before full proposals.
Unlike cold approaches, Letters of Inquiry introduce your organization and project concisely to determine foundation interest before investing time in full proposals. The AI structures LOIs to quickly convey project value, demonstrate mission alignment, and show organizational capacity. Strong LOIs result in invitations to submit full proposals. Weak LOIs are generic or unfocused. You get targeted letters that make foundations want to learn more.
This tool is perfect for grant writers seeking foundation funding through LOI processes. Use it when foundations require inquiry letters before proposals, when introducing your organization to new funders, or when testing project concepts with potential supporters. It works best when you research the foundation thoroughly and provide specific alignment details. LOIs are your first impression with funders. Compelling letters open doors to full proposal opportunities.
What Makes LOIs Successful
Successful LOIs are concise, focused, and tailored. Foundations use LOIs to screen requests efficiently. They want to quickly understand: what you want to do, how much it costs, why you are qualified, and why it fits their priorities. Weak LOIs are long-winded or generic, making officers work to extract key information. Strong LOIs answer all essential questions in 2 pages with clear, compelling language. Respect foundation staff time by making your case succinctly. If they want more detail, they will invite a full proposal.
Effective LOIs demonstrate you researched the foundation. Reference their stated priorities, recent grants in your area, or specific language from their guidelines. Show genuine alignment between your work and their mission, not just that you need money. Foundations fund work they care about, not any nonprofit that asks. Generic LOIs that could go to any funder signal you did not do homework. Tailored LOIs that clearly fit foundation interests stand out.
To write compelling LOIs, follow foundation guidelines exactly regarding format, length, and content. Start with a strong opening paragraph that hooks attention and states your request clearly. Include your organization's track record and qualifications. Be specific about what funding will accomplish. Close with clear next steps. Proofread meticulously as errors signal unprofessionalism. Follow up appropriately based on foundation timelines. LOIs that result in proposal invitations balance compelling project description with clear demonstration of organizational capacity and foundation fit.
What You Get
Complete 2-page Letter of Inquiry
Compelling introduction stating your request
Project description with clear outcomes
Organizational qualifications and capacity
Specific funding request and budget summary
Foundation alignment rationale
Professional closing and next steps
How It Works
- 1Enter project detailsProvide foundation name, project, funding amount, and why you're approaching them
- 2AI writes LOIGet complete 2-page Letter of Inquiry in 3 minutes
- 3Customize for foundationAdd specific foundation references and adjust to guidelines
- 4Submit to foundationFollow foundation submission process and await response
Frequently Asked Questions
How is an LOI different from a full grant proposal?
LOIs are brief (1-2 pages) screening documents foundations use to decide whether to invite full proposals. Full proposals are comprehensive (10-20 pages) with detailed budgets, evaluation plans, and attachments. LOI is like a cover letter introducing your project. If foundation is interested, they invite you to submit detailed proposal. Not all foundations use LOI process. Some go straight to proposals. Always follow the specific foundation's process.
Should I attach anything to an LOI?
Only if foundation guidelines specifically request attachments. Most LOI processes want just the letter, nothing else. Common exceptions: some foundations want your one-page organizational budget or 501(c)(3) letter. Never send unrequested attachments. Foundation staff are overwhelmed with mail. Sending extra materials when guidelines say letter only marks you as someone who does not follow instructions. Read guidelines carefully and follow them exactly.
What if the foundation does not invite a full proposal?
Most LOIs are declined. Foundations receive far more inquiries than they can fund. Declination does not mean your project is bad, just that it does not fit their current priorities or capacity. Ask politely if you can inquire again in the future. Some foundations say yes to future inquiries if your work evolves. Others prefer you not reapply. Thank them for considering and move on to other prospects. Grant seeking requires persistence and many applications.
How long should I wait before following up?
Check foundation guidelines for response timelines. Most foundations state 'you will hear within 4-6 weeks' or similar. Wait that full time before following up. If no timeline given, wait 6 weeks, then send brief, polite email asking about status. Do not call unless they invite calls. Do not follow up multiple times. Foundation staff will respond when they have reviewed your inquiry. Pushy follow-up does not help and may hurt your chances.
Can I submit the same LOI to multiple foundations?
Never submit identical LOIs. Each letter must be tailored to that specific foundation's priorities, language, and guidelines. You can use the same project description as your base, but customize the introduction, alignment section, and closing for each foundation. Generic mass LOIs are obvious to foundation staff and almost always declined. Quality over quantity. Better to send 5 highly tailored LOIs than 20 generic ones.
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