7.1 Introduction
“The first impression is by appearance. The best impression is by words.” ~ Vikrmn (CA Vikram Verma)
Chapter Competency
Develop a letter of proposal or cover letter
Learning Objectives
- Use proper business letter format
- Compare letter proposals to full grant proposals
- Summarize project elements
- Create the appropriate ancillary materials for letter proposals
If first impressions are really as important as people say, paying close attention to the letter of intent (which is often referred to as a “cover letter”) will serve the applicant extremely well. The cover letter is a summarized version of the proposal. It is concise, confident, and tailored to the opportunity presented by the funder. This summarized version of the proposal is the first chance the organization has to make a compelling impression on the funder. Usually, cover letters are allowed, but occasionally they are not. It is always best to check the guidelines first.
The letter of intent, often referred to as a cover letter, serves as an introduction to the organization applying for a grant. It summarizes the project and can include information such as the statement of need or problem, methodology, and a budget overview.
