The Power of Support Letters when Grant Writing

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• As a grant writer, you know that crafting a
  compelling application is crucial to securing
  funding for your community organisation.
• However, one often overlooked but immensely
  valuable tool in your arsenal is the support
  letter.
• When obtained from the right sources and with the
  right content, support letters can significantly
  strengthen your grant application.
• In this article, we will explore why support
  letters are essential for grant writers, who you
  should seek them from, what letters should
  include, and how to effectively request support
  letters.

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Why Support Letters Matter

• Support letters serve as powerful endorsements in
  grant writing to provide evidence of community
  backing and engagement.
• Most grants are oversubscribed, which means that
  when evaluators are choosing the winners, they
  will place strong emphasis on the projects which
  will maximise the impact from the funds given.
• Support letters provide evaluators with an
  insight into that impact and demonstrate that
  your organisation is well-respected and supported
  by various stakeholders.

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• By securing support letters, you can enhance your
  credibility, demonstrate community need and
  impact, and increase your chances of receiving
  funding.
• Therefore, you should seek to gather these
  letters from as many and diverse sources as
  possible.

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Who to Seek Support Letters From

• When seeking support letters, grant writers
  should consider reaching out to individuals and
  organisations who
• have a vested interest in your community
  organisation's mission and goals
• benefit from your existence (as recipients of
  support you provide, as a supplier, or as a
  partner)
• will benefit from the project that you are
  seeking to fund.

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• This can include local government officials,
  community leaders, partner organisations,
  volunteers, clients, or individuals who can
  authentically speak to the positive impact your
  organisation has had on the community.
• Lets examine each of these groups and why their
  written support is essential for your grant
  writing endeavour

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• Community Leaders and Local Officials Community
  leaders, local government officials, and
  influential figures within your area often have a
  deep understanding of the community's needs and
  are in a position to advocate for the importance
  of your organisation's work. A support letter
  from a mayor, city council member, or influential
  community leader can carry significant weight in
  grant applications.
• Partner Organisations and Collaborators If your
  community organisation collaborates with other
  nonprofits or community groups, seeking support
  letters from these organisations can be highly
  beneficial as they emphasise the collective
  impact achieved through collaboration. Such
  collaborations showcase your organisation's
  ability to work cohesively within the community
  and amplifies the importance of your grant
  proposal.

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• Beneficiaries and Program Participants Directly
  involving beneficiaries and program participants
  in your support letters can add a personal touch
  and authentic voice to your grant application.
  Reach out to individuals who have directly
  benefited from your organisation's services and
  ask them to share their experiences. Hearing
  directly from those whose lives have been
  positively impacted by your programs can
  profoundly demonstrate the effectiveness and
  significance of your work.
• Volunteers and Donors Don't forget about the
  individuals who contribute their time and
  resources to your organisation's mission.
  Volunteers and donors can provide unique
  perspectives on the value of your work and the
  positive change they have witnessed the
  community, highlighting your organisation's
  ability to engage and mobilise community members
  toward a common goal.

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• Peak Bodies or State/National Head Offices Peak
  bodies and State/National Offices are influential
  organisations that represent and advocate for
  specific industries or sectors. Support letters
  gathered from these entities can significantly
  enhance the credibility of your community
  organisation's grant application. These
  endorsements validate the importance and impact
  of your work in a wider context of a shared
  vision that reaches beyond your organisation
  alone. This serves to reinforce trust with grant
  organisations. By demonstrating alignment with
  industry objectives, you showcase the relevance
  and significance of your initiatives.
  Furthermore, peak bodies may offer advocacy,
  amplifying the impact of your application and
  increasing its likelihood of success.

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• Experts and Industry Professionals Consider
  approaching experts or professionals in your
  field who can vouch for the importance and
  effectiveness of your organisation's work.
  Letters of support from experts can lend
  credibility to your initiatives and demonstrate
  that your approach aligns with industry best
  practices. Additionally, access to expert
  insights and resources strengthens the
  evidence-based approach in your proposal,
  emphasising your organisation's well-informed
  practices.
• Obtaining support letters to demonstrate
  endorsement and backing from the groups outlined
  above can significantly strengthen your grant
  writing efforts. Don't hesitate to reach out to
  these valuable sources to showcase the collective
  impact of your organisation's efforts.

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What to Include

• Grant writers can ensure that support letters are
  effective by requesting that support letter
  writers include specific information that
  highlights why your organisation and/or project
  are important. Here are some vital inclusions to
  consider
• Relationship Begin the letter by clearly stating
  the relationship between the writer and your
  organisation. This establishes credibility and
  contextualises their support.
• Personal Experience Encourage the writer to
  share personal experiences or anecdotes that
  highlight the positive impact of your
  organisation. Specific examples can paint a vivid
  picture of how your work has improved lives or
  addressed community needs.

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• Expertise and Reputation If the support letter
  comes from a well-respected individual or
  organisation within your community, emphasise
  their reputation and expertise. This adds weight
  to the endorsement and strengthens your case.
• Alignment of goals Highlight the alignment
  between your organisation's mission and the
  writer's goals, needs or interests. This
  demonstrates a shared vision and emphasises the
  importance of supporting your cause.
• Contact Information Ensure that the support
  letter includes the writer's contact information
  for verification purposes. Grant organisations
  may reach out to confirm the authenticity of the
  endorsement.

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How to Request Support Letters

• When requesting support letters, grant writers
  should approach potential writers with a
  personalised and well-written request, allowing
  sufficient time for thoughtful responses before
  the grant application deadline.
• Clearly communicating the purpose of the support
  letter, emphasising its impact on securing
  funding, and a template plus guidance on vital
  inclusions will also ensure consistency.
• Politely following up with writers and offering
  assistance helps to ensure timely submissions and
  maximises the influence of support letters in
  boosting the grant application.

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• Support letters can be a game-changer when
  applying for grants, as they provide tangible
  evidence of community support and strengthen your
  organisation's credibility.
• Good grant writers always tap into the power of
  community endorsement to shine a light on the
  organisation's impact.
• Good luck with your support letters and on your
  grant writing journey!

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