We talk about grant proposals all the time, but there is more than one kind of proposal. In Winning Grants Step by Step, authors Carlson and O'Neal-McElrath distinguish between three kinds of proposals. They are:
- Letter of Intent (often called a Letter of Inquiry). This is a letter of two or three pages that is basically a summary of your project that is sent to a funder to find out if they are interested in a longer request. Your nonprofit might initiate the letter or a funder may request it. You will want to describe the need, outline the plan to meet it, and specify how the project fits in with the priorities of the funder. For more information, see How to Make Your Letter of Inquiry a Winner.
- Letter Proposal. Corporations often want a letter proposal rather than a long formal proposal. This is usually a letter of three to four pages and is a description of your project plan, your organization, and the actual request. Although a letter proposal may seem to be easier, it is still a challenge to succinctly state your case in a briefer format. Don't confuse the letter proposal with the letter of intent. In the letter proposal you are actually requesting funds; while in the letter of intent or inquiry you are only introducing your idea to the funding entity to see if there is interest. See a sample letter proposal to a corporation.
- The Long Proposal (or Full Proposal). A complete proposal is what we usually think of when we talk about proposals. It follows a fairly standard format which includes a cover letter and a summary of your project and what you are asking for. It might range in length from 5-25 pages. Be sure to follow all the funder's directions about how they want the proposal set up, and pay special attention to your cover letter, which is a mini-pitch in and of itself. Many funders, especially the larger ones, now require grantseekers to use online applications to submit their proposals. For more information about full proposals, see The Basics of Grant Proposals - From Summary to Budget.
Back to FAQs - Grant Proposals
Back to How to Write a Grant Proposal.
