Welcome to the April 2024 edition of ECS’s newsletter. Each month, we highlight an exciting aspect of the grant writing process. This month, our focus is on developing a cover letter.
Think of grant writing as a process with generally accepted steps or procedures. I say “generally accepted” because there is no single way of obtaining a grant, yet most grant writers utilize common practices or approaches. There are 12 components to address in writing a winning grant proposal. The cover letter is one such component.
In this edition, the Grant Writer will help you with an important aspect of successful grant writing: developing a solid cover letter.
- The cover letter should include a concise overview of the proposal, not to exceed two pages.
- State in the cover letter why you are approaching this particular funder, something like “my research suggested that your foundation might consider supporting our project.”
- Include the total amount of your request in the cover letter.
- Always send your cover letter to the attention of a specific person.
- Include a brief description of your school, school district, or university (the funder needs to know a little about you and your organization).
- Finally, include a brief overview of your project or program (main points of your project and any innovative aspects).
The cover letter is a critical component of your grant proposal. Think about each element as a piece of a puzzle. When you put all the pieces together correctly, you will give the funder (foundations, corporations, state and local governments, and wealthy individuals) a complete picture of your project or program.
