How to Write a Letter of Support for a Grant (With Template)
Updated: 1 day ago
A letter of support can look like a formality. Reviewers don't treat it that way. A strong letter shows that your community, partners, and stakeholders believe in your project enough to put their names behind it. A weak or generic letter tells reviewers the opposite.
Here's what a letter of support is, what funders want to see in one, and how to get letters that actually strengthen your proposal.
What is a letter of support?
A letter of support is a letter from a partner, community leader, elected official, or stakeholder endorsing your organization and the project in your grant proposal. It tells the funder why the writer believes the project matters and why your organization is the right one to carry it out.
Letters of support are common in federal applications and many foundation proposals. Some funders require them. Others list them as optional but still give credit for strong ones.
Letter of support vs. letter of commitment
These two are often confused, and the difference matters.
A letter of support endorses the project. The writer says they believe in the work.
A letter of commitment promises something specific: staff time, space, data, referrals, matching funds, or another resource. The writer says what they'll contribute.
Many federal opportunities ask for letters of commitment from key partners, because commitments show the project can actually be delivered. Read the funding notice carefully, and request the right type of letter from each partner.
What funders look for
Reviewers read many letters. The ones that stand out share a few traits:
They're specific. The letter names the project, the need it addresses, and the writer's connection to the work.
They show a real relationship. The writer describes how they've worked with your organization or why they're invested in the outcome.
They connect to the proposal. The letter reinforces points made in your narrative, such as community need, partnership roles, or readiness.
They're current and on letterhead. Each letter is dated, signed, and addressed to the funder or program named in the solicitation.
Identical letters with only the signature changed are easy to spot. They suggest your partners didn't engage with the project.
What to include in a letter of support
The writer's name, title, and organization, on official letterhead
The funder and opportunity name, so the letter is clearly tied to this application
A short description of the writer's organization and its connection to your work
Why the project matters, in the writer's words, including the need they see firsthand
The writer's relationship with your organization, including past collaboration
Any commitments, if the writer is contributing resources (this makes it a letter of commitment)
A closing endorsement and signature
Keep it to one page whenever possible.
How to request a letter of support
Your partners are busy. Make it easy for them to write a strong letter.
Ask early. Give partners at least two to three weeks. Letters from elected officials and large institutions often take longer.
Send a short project summary. Include the funder, the project, the need, the partner's role, and the deadline.
Provide a draft. Many partners prefer to edit a draft rather than start from scratch. Write each draft for that specific partner rather than reusing one template for everyone.
Confirm the format. Tell partners how the letter should be addressed, signed, and returned.
Follow up. Set a reminder a week before your internal deadline.
Letter of support template
Adapt this template for each partner. Replace every item in parentheses, and add details only that partner can provide.
(Date)
(Funder name), (Program or opportunity name)
Dear (Funder or review committee),
On behalf of (partner organization), I am pleased to support (your organization)'s application for (program name) to (brief project description).
(Partner organization) (brief description of the partner and what it does). We have worked with (your organization) since (year) on (description of collaboration), and we have seen firsthand (specific result or strength).
In our community, (describe the need the project addresses, from the partner's perspective). (Your organization)'s proposed project will (expected impact), and we believe it is well positioned to succeed because (reason).
(If applicable: To support this project, (partner organization) will provide (specific commitment).)
We strongly support this application and look forward to continued partnership.
Sincerely,
(Name), (Title), (Organization)
Common mistakes to avoid
Requesting letters a few days before the deadline
Sending every partner the same generic draft
Addressing the letter to the wrong funder or program
Collecting more letters than the funder allows, or letters from partners with no clear role
Forgetting to check whether the funder wants letters uploaded separately or included in an appendix
Make every part of your proposal count
Letters of support are one piece of a competitive application. At Think and Ink Grant Consulting®, our grant writers manage the full submission, including partner letters, budgets, and attachments, and review every piece the way a reviewer would.
If you have a draft proposal ready, a Mock Review gives you reviewer-style scoring and feedback before you submit. Ready to talk about your next proposal? Book a complimentary consultation.
About Shavonn Richardson, MBA, GPC
Shavonn is the Founder and CEO of Think and Ink Grant Consulting. As a former nonprofit leader and grantmaker, Shavonn has over 20 years of experience delivering practical, real-world advice to nonprofit leaders nationwide. Shavonn earned the GPC (Grant Professional Certified) credential from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute in 2020 and is a Grant Professionals Association Approved Trainer. Shavonn is also the Immediate Past President of the Grant Professionals Association.
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