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English 371: Cover Letter

• Length: No more than 1 page (2 or 3 paragraphs)
• Format: Standard business letter format.
  • Read "Writing the Basic Business Letter" at the Purdue Online Writing Lab.
  • Download a sample business letter in MS Word.
• Relevant assigned readings:
  • Lesson 15 "Front and Back: The Cover Page or Cover Letter, the Abstract, the Table of Contents, and the Appendix" in OGWB
  • Step 11 "Putting the Package Together" in WGSBS

Details

As explained in WGSBS, "[o]rganizations need to craft a brief, yet informative cover letter that will serve as the first piece of information the funder reads" (97). In this letter you should

• Introduce the organization making the request,
• Describe very briefly the project detailed in the grant proposal package,
• Mention how much money is being asked for,
• Explain why the grantfunder is a good match for your organization and this project, and
• Thank them for considering your request.

Samples

Download and read these Cover Letters

• Sample Cover Letter: "STEM Education" (MS Word)
• Sample Cover Letter: "Litter Surveillance & Enforcement" (MS Word)
• Sample Cover Letter: "Spartanburg Art Museum COLORS" (MS Word)

Cover Letter evaluation criteria

Adapted from OGWB and WGSBS

• Briefly introduces the organization making the request.
• Specifically mentions the financial request: how much and for what.
• Briefly summarizes the most important aspects of the project or program.
• Includes 1 or 2 reasons you’re applying to this particular foundation.
• Clearly indicates who to contact should the foundation have questions.
• Correctly formatted as a business letter.
• No more than 1 page. No more than 2 or 3 paragraphs.
• Document is clearly written, easily digestible, avoids using jargon, and does not make the reader have to work to understand the point.
• Writing is mechanically and grammatically correct, free from significant errors that detract from meaning.