The Letter of Inquiry: How to Write a Compelling First Introduction to a Funder
Turn a simple introduction into a funder-ready LOI that stands out, sparks curiosity, and opens the door to a full proposal
Welcome back, friend. If you’ve been following along this year, you’ve done the hard work—you’ve mapped out your prospecting strategy, crafted narratives that compel, and built a prospect list that actually excites you. Now comes the moment that makes many fundraisers nervous: the first introduction to a funder—the letter of inquiry (LOI) for a grant. It’s the Letter of Inquiry, or LOI, and I promise you, it’s not as intimidating as it sounds.
Think of an LOI as a really sophisticated handshake. In my 25+ years of grant work, I’ve seen some LOIs that opened doors, and others that landed in a busy program officer’s inbox and never surfaced again. The difference? Clarity, specificity, and genuine connection. That’s not luck, it’s strategy.
In this article, you’ll learn how to:
· Define what a letter of inquiry is and when to use it.
· Include the four elements funders look for in an LOI.
· Strike the right tone so your LOI feels like the start of a relationship.
· Close your LOI with a clear, confident next step.
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What a Letter of Inquiry Actually Is (and What It Isn’t)
Let’s start with the fundamentals. An LOI is typically a 1–2 page letter—sometimes a bit more, depending on funder guidelines—that introduces your organization and asks permission to submit a full grant proposal. Some foundations call it a “letter of intent,” others use the term “concept paper.” The form might vary, but the mission stays the same: you’re making the case that a conversation is worth having.
Here’s the thing: a letter of inquiry is not a mini-proposal. It’s not a chance to cram every brilliant detail about your work into a smaller package. And it’s definitely not a formal, buttoned-up document where you pretend to be someone you’re not. Your voice—warm, authentic, a little bit of your personality—should absolutely shine through.
The Four Essential Elements of a Strong Letter of Inquiry
Every strong LOI contains four key ingredients. Get these right, and you’re already ahead of the game.
1. Proof that you’ve done your homework. Start by referencing something specific about why you’re writing to this funder now. Maybe their recent grant to a similar organization caught your eye. Maybe their values statement aligns perfectly with your theory of change. This isn’t flattery—it’s specificity. A program officer can smell generic mail from a mile away, and they’ll be more inclined to lean in if they see genuine effort.
2. A crystal-clear problem statement. What’s the mess you’re trying to clean up? Use concrete language. Instead of “educational disparities,” try “Only 42% of students in our district graduate high school on time, compared to the state average of 68%.” Numbers matter. Stories matter more.
3. Your solution—concise but compelling. This is where your narrative work from earlier in this series pays off. You don’t need to explain every program component. You need to show how your approach is different, why it works, and what change it creates. One or two powerful paragraphs will do it.
4. A specific funding ask. What exactly are you seeking support for? Whether it’s $25,000 for staff capacity, $100,000 for program expansion, or $50,000 for a pilot—name it. Vagueness makes funders nervous. Clarity invites conversation.
The Tone That Opens Doors
I want to emphasize something that gets overlooked: your LOI should feel like the beginning of a relationship, not the end of an elevator pitch. Use conversational language, but stay formal—this is a business communication.
Include a sentence or two that shows your passion without being melodramatic. You don’t have to pretend to be a nonprofit robot. You’re a human being who cares deeply about something. Let that come through.
How to Close Your LOI
End your LOI with a clear next step. “We’d welcome the opportunity to share more about our work” or “We’d love to discuss how we might align our efforts” are invitations, not demands. Leave space for the funder to say yes.
What Happens After You Hit Send
Once you send your LOI, expect to wait for a response. Some foundations respond in weeks; others don’t reply unless you follow up. Some won’t reply at all. Use this time to keep moving—don’t sit around waiting for one funder to reply before you reach out to others. That’s not being patient; that’s stalling your pipeline.
Here’s my invitation to you: stop thinking of an LOI as a test you might fail. It’s an opening statement in a conversation that could matter deeply for your mission. Write it like you mean it. Send it forward. And keep building those relationships, one thoughtful introduction at a time.
You’ve got this.