Grant Proposal - Inquiry letter

Grant Proposal - Inquiry letter

Dear Mr. Maker:

Thank you for our recent meeting at the Community-Based Organization Conference where you were kind enough to visit with our staff and take the time to learn about our mission and current projects. We thoroughly enjoyed your visit with us, and sincerely appreciate your thoughtful attention to our Improvement Program, Inc. (IP).

We are aware that the Community Help Foundation distributes a number of grants for community improvement and development purposes. We wish to apply for one of the Foundation's grants.

IP has enjoyed a significant growth within the last ten years. Last year, IP launched five new programs, including a community day care center, computer training center, substance abuse program, and an alternative learning program for high school drop-outs.

I am pleased to write to you about a project that I believe will be of interest to the Foundation. The IP is seeking $250,000 over three years to expand its very successful technical education program to provide aggressive, hands-on computer training and alternative education programs in our inner-city neighborhoods.

The technical education program is a highly effective five-year-old academic enrichment program for inner-city junior high and high school students. Formed through a partnership between IP, the local college and the city's school district, the program currently has a total enrollment of 300 students, and is funded by the school district and matching funds which are administered by the city.

We are seeking support from the Foundation to enable us to develop a pilot program and demonstrate its soundness and effectiveness to the technical education program funders, the city, community development agencies, and local private funding sources for future funding of the long-term program.

IP has already raised an initial investment of more than $50,000 in absolutely necessary computer equipment toward a computer systems, training and services budget of more than $1 million. We have worked hard to bridge the gap and anticipate receiving grants and donations totaling $300,000 from private sector sources, banks, foundations and private donors.

The challenge at this stage is to seize the opportunity, to take the risk, to realize an innovative, new, rewarding and productive future. With the strength which has made IP and the technical education program what it is today, the choice is an easy one -- help our community meet the challenges of the 21st Century. The need for effective computer training and education cannot be overstated. The technical training requirements of our community are overwhelming and mirror the needs of most other inner-city populations.

Thank you for your support and assistance to IP, and the community residents it serves. We look forward to your consideration of our request and the opportunity to submit a formal proposal for your review. We will be pleased to submit additional information at your request. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (telephone number).

Sincerely,

Executive Director