Imagine you’re applying for a highly competitive grant. Your proposal is strong, your budget is solid, and your mission is clear—but so are everyone else’s. What makes funders choose one organization over another? Often, it comes down to trust and credibility.
That’s where a letter of support comes in. A well-crafted letter of support is more than just a formality—it’s a powerful endorsement that shows funders your work has real-world impact and the backing of trusted partners. It demonstrates that others believe in your mission, have seen your success firsthand, and want to vouch for your ability to deliver results.
In this guide, we’ll cover why letters of support matter, what makes them effective, and how to create a grant letter of support template that makes it easy for your partners to write compelling, high-quality endorsements for your organization.
Let’s get into it.
A letter of support for a nonprofit grant is a testimonial written by a partner, stakeholder, or beneficiary that vouches for your nonprofit’s work and its alignment with the grant funder’s goals.
A letter of support serves as a character reference for grant reviewers, reinforcing your nonprofit’s credibility and demonstrating real-world proof that your organization can successfully implement the proposed project.
Think of it as a letter of recommendation for your grant proposal. It tells funders that your project has merit, that others believe in your mission, and that your work has the potential to make a real impact.
A well-written letter of support can strengthen your nonprofit’s grant proposal in several ways:
Even though a letter of support is an endorsement, the person writing it may not know exactly what to include. That’s why it’s important to provide clear guidelines—or even a template—when making the request.
Pro Tip: Some funders may outline the specific requirements for these letters, so be sure to review the grant guidelines in advance to ensure that the letter aligns with what they’re looking for.
To make a letter of support as compelling and effective as possible, it should include the following key elements:
By ensuring a letter of support includes these elements, nonprofits can provide funders with compelling, well-structured endorsements that add credibility and persuasiveness to their applications.
Requesting a letter of support can be a lot to ask of busy partners or community members.
Providing a grant letter of support template simplifies the process and increases the likelihood of a strong endorsement.
A template serves as a structured guide, giving the writer a clear outline to follow while still allowing them to personalize their message. It ensures the letter includes all the necessary components without requiring the writer to start from scratch.
A simple way to streamline this process is to draft a template, send it to the supporter with clear instructions, and set a deadline that ensures you receive the letter in time for your grant submission.
A grant letter of support template makes the process easier, more efficient, and more likely to result in a strong endorsement.
Here are four key benefits of using a template:
For individuals or organizations unfamiliar with writing a letter of support, the task can feel overwhelming. The more daunting it seems, the less likely they are to follow through.
A template provides a clear starting point, breaking the process into manageable steps and increasing the chances the letter gets completed.
Writing any letter takes time—especially when it involves multiple rounds of communication, drafting, and potential revisions. A pre-structured template eliminates the need to figure out formatting or content from scratch, allowing the writer to complete the letter more quickly while ensuring you receive it well before the deadline.
One of the biggest challenges in securing letters of support is getting a response. Often, the issue isn’t a lack of interest—it’s uncertainty about what to write. A template provides clarity and confidence, making it easier for your supporters to complete and submit the letter.
A poorly written or vague letter of support won’t add value to your grant application. By offering a comprehensive template, you set clear expectations and ensure that the final letter is well-structured, persuasive, and aligned with the funder’s priorities.
Making it easy for your supporters is key to securing strong letters of support.
As grant expert Teresa Huff puts it:
“Make it easy and painless for them. Give a sample letter with plug-and-play verbiage that they can quickly revise.”
By providing a clear template, you remove the guesswork and make it more likely that your supporters will submit a compelling, well-structured letter.
Here’s how to build an effective template:
The opening paragraph should introduce the writer, their role, and their relationship to your organization. This establishes their authority and explains why their endorsement matters:
Dear [Grant Review Committee],
I am writing to express my full support for [Nonprofit Organization’s] [Project Name]. As the [Writer’s Position] of [Supporting Organization], I have had the privilege of collaborating with the [Nonprofit Organization] for [number of years] years. Through our partnership, we have [briefly describe collaborative efforts], demonstrating their commitment to [shared goal or mission].
Pro Tip: Encourage supporters to use specific details about their relationship with your nonprofit (e.g., numbers, years of partnership, measurable outcomes) to strengthen their endorsement.
The next section should connect your project with the mission and priorities of the grant funder, demonstrating why the project is a perfect fit for funding:
[Funder’s Name’s] mission of [funder’s mission] aligns directly with the goals of [Nonprofit Organization’s] [project name]. By [briefly describe project activities], [Nonprofit Organization] is [describe how the project addresses the funder’s mission]. Their proposal to [expand/implement] this program will [describe anticipated impact], further amplifying the positive outcomes in our community.
Pro Tip: The more specific the alignment, the better. Funders want to see that your work clearly matches their funding goals.
A compelling letter of support provides real-world examples of your nonprofit's impact. This section should include testimonials, statistics, or success stories that showcase your organization’s effectiveness:
One of our [clients/partners], [Name], benefited greatly from [Nonprofit Organization]’s [specific program]. Before participating, [briefly describe the individual’s situation]. Thanks to [specific services provided], [Name] has [describe positive outcome], exemplifying the transformative power of [Nonprofit Organization]’s initiatives.
Pro Tip: If your supporter doesn’t have a personal story to share, encourage them to reference broader statistics or trends they have observed in working with your nonprofit.
The closing should clearly state the supporter’s endorsement and urge the funder to approve the grant:
I strongly encourage [Funder’s Name] to fund [Nonprofit Organization]’s [Project Name]. Their program has already [briefly describe accomplishments], and with additional resources, they can [describe potential future impact]. I have witnessed firsthand the difference this program makes, and I am confident that your investment will lead to meaningful, measurable impact in our community.
Pro Tip: A strong call to action makes the letter persuasive rather than passive. Instead of just stating support, it should actively urge the funder to approve the grant.
Looking for real-world examples of nonprofit grant letters of support?
Below are three excellent samples that demonstrate best practices while also highlighting areas for improvement.
Example 1: A Strong, Detailed Letter of Support
The Victorian Legal Services Board Grants Program provides a great example of a well-crafted letter of support. This letter stands out because it:
Room for Improvement: Adding a stronger call to action—urging the funder to approve the grant—would make this letter even more persuasive.
Example 2: A Concise But Effective Letter of Support
Another example from the Victorian Legal Services Board Grants Program demonstrates how a letter of support can be short yet impactful. This example is ideal for supporters who may not have time to write a lengthy endorsement. It effectively:
Room for Improvement: Expanding on the nonprofit’s impact by adding specific success stories or measurable results would make this more compelling.
Example 3: A Well-Structured Letter of Support
A great example comes from the Fairbanks Senior Center. This letter is super useful because it:
Room for Improvement: While well-structured, this letter could be more compelling with added personal stories or impact data to strengthen the case.
A well-crafted letter of support can be the missing piece that takes your grant application from good to great. You significantly increase your chances of securing funding by providing funders with credible endorsements, real-world impact stories, and clear alignment with their priorities.
In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know, including:
But before you start requesting letters, you need to find the right funding opportunities for your nonprofit. That’s where Instrumentl comes in!
Get matched with the best-fit grants for your organization, all in one place. Sign up today for a 14-day free trial of Instrumentl and start uncovering funding opportunities that align with your mission.
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