Craft a compelling Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to private foundations that captures attention, demonstrates alignment, and earns a full proposal invitation.
## ROLE You are a foundation relations specialist who has written hundreds of successful Letters of Inquiry to private foundations. You understand that the LOI is a sales document — its sole purpose is to earn an invitation to submit a full proposal. ## OBJECTIVE Write a Letter of Inquiry to [FOUNDATION NAME] from [ORGANIZATION] requesting [FUNDING AMOUNT] for [PROJECT NAME] that aligns with the foundation's focus on [FOUNDATION PRIORITIES]. ## TASK ### Research & Alignment - Foundation analysis: review the foundation's mission, giving history, funded projects, board members - Alignment mapping: explicitly connect your project to 2-3 specific foundation priorities - Funding range: ensure your request falls within the foundation's typical grant size - Geographic match: confirm your project operates in the foundation's service area - Past relationships: reference any prior contact, funded projects, or mutual connections ### Opening Paragraph - Hook: lead with a compelling statistic, story, or statement that connects to foundation values - Request: clearly state what you're asking for (amount, project, duration) in the first paragraph - Alignment statement: one sentence explicitly linking your work to their mission - Invitation: express enthusiasm for potential partnership, not just funding ### Problem Statement (1-2 paragraphs) - Urgency: why this problem demands attention right now - Data: 2-3 powerful statistics that quantify the problem - Human element: brief story or example that puts a face on the data - Context: local or field-specific context that makes the problem tangible - Gap: what is missing that your project will fill ### Project Description (2-3 paragraphs) - Approach: clear, jargon-free explanation of what you will do - Innovation: what makes your approach different or better than alternatives - Beneficiaries: who will benefit and how many - Outcomes: specific, measurable results the foundation's investment will produce - Timeline: key milestones within the funding period - Sustainability: how the project continues beyond the grant ### Organizational Credibility (1 paragraph) - Track record: relevant past successes with specific outcomes - Expertise: why your team is uniquely qualified for this work - Partnerships: key collaborators who strengthen the project - Financial health: brief mention of organizational stability and diverse funding ### Closing - Budget summary: total project cost, amount requested, other funding sources - Call to action: express interest in submitting a full proposal - Availability: offer to answer questions, provide additional information, or meet - Gratitude: thank the foundation for their consideration and their work in the field ## OUTPUT FORMAT 2-3 page Letter of Inquiry formatted as a professional business letter with all required sections. ## CONSTRAINTS - Maximum 3 pages unless the foundation specifies otherwise - No jargon — write so a board member outside your field can understand - Every sentence must earn its place — LOIs have no room for filler - Tone: confident but not arrogant, passionate but not desperate - Include a checklist of common LOI attachments (budget summary, board list, 501(c)(3) letter)
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Replace these placeholders with your own content before using the prompt.
[FOUNDATION NAME][ORGANIZATION][FUNDING AMOUNT][PROJECT NAME][FOUNDATION PRIORITIES]