Writing a letter

Some funders do not have standard forms and the most usual way to apply to charitable trusts is by letter. When writing a letter you must first get the funder interested in your idea or project, and then supply them with all the information they need in order to make a decision.

What needs to go into a letter?

• Project title – an unusual title can make you stand out from the crowd
• About your organisation – what you do, your mission, aims and objectives, how long have you been going, how many users do you have, why are you different, successes, what support you have received.
• Summary of the project – in brief spell out exactly what you are applying for and how much it will cost.
• Why you want the funds – specific information about the needs or problems you have identified, supported by independent evidence and who will benefit from your project.
• Description of the project – what do you intend to do meet the needs you have identified, what will it achieve (outcomes), timescales and how you will measure success.
• Breakdown of costs – you may need to produce a detailed budget on a separate sheet.
• Why should they fund you? - does it fit with the funders’ criteria
• Financial sustainability – copy of latest accounts, what happens when the funding runs out?
• Who your other supporters are – funders like to support success